If you're filming a corporate video, then I might be right in assuming that you're working with non-professional talent in front of the camera - mangers, staff, stakeholders etc While these authentic testimonials are key to a natural corporate video, they can bring untold issues in their delivery.
In this article we'll look at a few key things to remember when you're conducting an interview that can help your production run more smoothly...
The first rule is to make your subject comfortable in your presence, whether they are a celebrity or a business representative, the interview will not run smoothly if the subject can not relate to you. Talk to your subject beforehand and develop a rapport. Be interested in what they have to say and get them motivated about talking to you.
If your subject fidgets during the interview then often a simple request for them to stop will do the trick. However, for some it's involuntary and trying to repress it will manifest itself in other negative ways. If possible then try to frame out the offending tic, crop to a closer shot to avoid fidgety hands or legs and focus on getting the best verbal delivery from your interviewee.
Allowing your subject to choose their own comfortable seating position might also help. Although you know what you're doing, and the chances are you have a good idea in mind where you want your shot to be set up, do as much as you can to work around the comfort of your subject. Don't demand they adopt an uncomfortable or embarrassing position to simply satisfy your creative vision - compromise! A the end of the day, their delivery is at the heart of the video.
Once your subject is completely at ease and your shot is well arranged, a good use of light and makeup will vastly improve the shot, a shiny and dimly lit subject would be a terrible result to the hard work throughout your interview. This is vital, particularly if you're going in for a closeup where every little facial detail is on show.
Lastly, stress the nature of video production, especially the editing. Informing your subject that they can have multiple takes and can take their time when delivering a response can do wonders for their stress. A lot of nerves in front of the camera stems from a lack of understanding about the production process - many subjects believing it all has to be in one take and word perfect.
In this article we'll look at a few key things to remember when you're conducting an interview that can help your production run more smoothly...
The first rule is to make your subject comfortable in your presence, whether they are a celebrity or a business representative, the interview will not run smoothly if the subject can not relate to you. Talk to your subject beforehand and develop a rapport. Be interested in what they have to say and get them motivated about talking to you.
If your subject fidgets during the interview then often a simple request for them to stop will do the trick. However, for some it's involuntary and trying to repress it will manifest itself in other negative ways. If possible then try to frame out the offending tic, crop to a closer shot to avoid fidgety hands or legs and focus on getting the best verbal delivery from your interviewee.
Allowing your subject to choose their own comfortable seating position might also help. Although you know what you're doing, and the chances are you have a good idea in mind where you want your shot to be set up, do as much as you can to work around the comfort of your subject. Don't demand they adopt an uncomfortable or embarrassing position to simply satisfy your creative vision - compromise! A the end of the day, their delivery is at the heart of the video.
Once your subject is completely at ease and your shot is well arranged, a good use of light and makeup will vastly improve the shot, a shiny and dimly lit subject would be a terrible result to the hard work throughout your interview. This is vital, particularly if you're going in for a closeup where every little facial detail is on show.
Lastly, stress the nature of video production, especially the editing. Informing your subject that they can have multiple takes and can take their time when delivering a response can do wonders for their stress. A lot of nerves in front of the camera stems from a lack of understanding about the production process - many subjects believing it all has to be in one take and word perfect.
About the Author:
Have a watch of Masters in Public Policy, and Masters in International Relations for two great examples of interview techniques done right.
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