Interviews are a big part of any videographer’s job. Whether it’s promotional, documentary, or corporate communications, executing great interviews is an important skill to learn. But while the technical aspects of a great looking and sounding interview may be straightforward, actually conducting the interview can require a certain skill set. How do you get that perfect sound bite or emotional moment that you’re looking for? Here are three tips on conducting great interviews.
1. Let Them Talk Naturally
You might have certain sound bites already in mind when going into an interview, but you’re rarely going to get a subject who is comfortable simply regurgitating your words back to you. You are more likely to get a natural sounding clip if you let them speak in their own words. Ask open ended questions that encourage more talking like “What did you think when…?” or “How did that make you feel?” Or you can shy away from questions entirely and just say “Tell me about X.” If you do need to get them to say something very specific, wait until the end of the interview. That will give them a chance to loosen up first and be more natural. Plus, they may give you the answer you’re looking for organically and then you can cross it off your list!
2. Be in the Moment
The most important skill for any interviewer is engaged listening. Make eye contact. Give them nonverbal clues that you are interested in what they are saying, such as nodding or smiling. You need to give them a conversation partner to focus on so that they can ultimately forget that there are cameras and lights pointed at them. Be mindful of your body language. “Energy matching” can be a powerful unconscious force in these situations. The more open and present you are, hopefully the more your subject will be too. It’s not unlike being a scene partner as an actor. You can’t just stand by waiting for your turn to speak. How you act when you’re not talking is just as important.
3. Put Them at Ease
Many, if not most, of the people you interview will have never been on camera before and will feel nervous about it. Before the cameras are rolling, it’s important to set their expectations and alleviate any pressure to perform that they are feeling. Be friendly! Let them know that you’re going to edit what they say, so there is no need for them to perfect. You can tell them “We’ll make you sound like a genius” which usually gets a laugh and a self-deprecating response. Tell them not to worry about stuttering or “um’s” and “uh’s.” The less they feel like they are giving a performance, the better. Introduce the members of the crew that are standing around them, so that they aren’t nameless strangers. Again, the power of energy matching is at play. If you want them to feel relaxed, then try to be relaxed yourself.
Filming a great interview is about more than just good lighting and clean sound. You want to give your subject the opportunity to be their authentic self on camera. This means creating an environment where they feel comfortable and able to speak freely. This way, you can capture those real, unscripted moments that truly resonate with the audience.
Philip Amler (Producer/Editor) has produced and edited pieces for Illinois Lottery, Medline, Portillo’s, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Ace Hardware, United Airlines, and more. He’s also performed at The Second City and iO Theater.
