TIP #12 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - THE LAST QUESTION

At the end of going through all of our questions it's good to ask the talent if there is anything else they’d like to add. Was there anything we missed? The talent’s answers feel much more natural because they are speaking from the heart. It also gives them the opportunity to say anything that’s been burning on their chest. Usually the talent takes this opportunity to say something here.

Tip: Don't be in a rush to stop rolling once you are finished going through your questions. Sometimes the talent adds a great sound bite at the end that you won't want to miss. 

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #11 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - CONCISE IS KEY

We are usually looking for short, concise answers. When time allows, we’ll go through the questions at least twice. The first time we let the talent go nuts with the answers, even if it is a bit on the longer side. This way they also feel like they've had the opportunity to say everything on their chest and we didn’t rush them. For the second round, we'll ask them the same question but get them to give a concise answer. For instance, “What would your answer be if you had to say it in 20 seconds?”. 

Tip: Going through the questions twice also gives the editor options during the edit and can even cut from both answers.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #10 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - USING A HOST

On a skeleton crew the DOP might direct the interview. Other times there will be someone else asking the questions off-camera. Another option is having a host guide the interview. With the host it creates a different feel to the show - more of a conversation between 2 people.

Tip: Frame your shots over the shoulder of the host so there is still a reference to them even though the camera is focusing on the talent.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #9 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

Either you will edit the project or you’ll pass the footage on to someone else to cut it. If you have the luxury of having your editor on location during the interview then they can begin to have a sense of how they will want to cut it. They will hear all of the best takes as well which will speed up the time in the editing room as they make mental notes. 

Tip: Your editor can act as DMT on set and make sure all the footage is organized and backed up.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #8 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

If possible, have at least 2 cameras rolling with different framing during the interview so you are able to cut to the other camera in the edit. You don't need to go crazy with having different framing. You can simply set 2 cameras on top of each other - one capturing a wide shot and the other framed tighter.

Tip: If you only have 1 camera then you can go through the questions twice and adjust the framing accordingly during the second round of the questions.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #7 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - CLEAR THE ROOM

It is a good practice to clear the room of any unessential personnel during the interview. There is nothing more distracting for the talent than to have people moving and making noise in the background while they are speaking on camera. If certain crew are needed to be in the room then you should introduce each of them to the talent and briefly mention their role during the interview. Your talent will feel more comfortable and understand why they need to be there.

Tip: If non-essential personnel insist on seeing the interview while it is being recorded then consider setting up a client monitor in another room for them to watch from there. 

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #6 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - ATTACHING THE MIC

Put the mic on the talent after you've made all the camera/lighting adjustments and are ready to shoot. Most times it feels like a long time for the talent to be waiting while you make those adjustments. So when I say “lets put the mic on” it’s a sign that the interview is finally ready to begin. Most people know how to put on a mic themselves so you can let them do 90% of the work. You’ll need just jump in and place the mic where you want it. I’ll give them the cable unattached from the pack so they have the choice to either feed the cord up or down their shirt. If the talent is female then you might want to have one of your female assistants help with placing the mic.

Tip: If the talent is going to face one way predominately during the interview then i’ll put the mic on that side of their clothes. 

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #5 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

If the client is on set make sure to get their approval of the framing before you begin the interview. This is one of those opportunities to allow them to chime in creative input which makes them feel like their opinion matters. 

Tip: Go a step further and set up a client monitor so they can see the interview while it is being shot and if anything needs to be re-done you can make it happen right there and then.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #4 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

Adjust the the camera lens to be at the same height as the talent’s eye. More importantly make sure whoever is asking the questions off-camera is on the same level as the camera lens. It looks strange when the talent is looking above or below the eye line. Whoever is asking the questions needs to adjust their height to be at the same level as the lens. 

Tip: Its uncomfortable to crouch for a long interview while asking the questions so find a chair and adjust your height before you start.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #3 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

It’s important to keep your talent feeling relaxed and fresh for their interview. If you need to do camera and lighting tests then use someone else for that part, if possible. You can do 90% of the adjustments with a "stand in". Don’t call your talent to sit in until you are almost ready to shoot. 

Tip: Use someone that is close to the same height as your talent.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

TIP #2 FOR FILMING INTERVIEWS - SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

Most times we’re not interviewing professional actors. We’re interviewing experts in their particular field - most of which do not have on-camera experience. It's best not to give them the questions ahead of time because they will try and memorize their answers word for word. I'd much rather answers that are not premeditated answers, so that the subject will appear relaxed and natural on camera. 

Tip: It’s appropriate to give them an idea of the questions you’ll be asking, but not your list.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION

Tip #1 for Filming Interviews - DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

Do the interview at the beginning of the shoot, when the talent is most fresh. Chances are you’ll also need to get other shots with them like B-roll but it's good to get the interview out of the way first. The interview is usually somewhat stressful for him or her and demands the most focus. Also the talent looks the best and their thoughts are most organized at the beginning of the filming session, so shoot the interview first. 

Tip: Shooting B-roll can almost feel like a reward after the interview.

#1 DO THE INTERVIEW FIRST

#2 SAVE THE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW

#3 PRESERVE YOUR TALENT

#4 NAIL YOUR EYE LEVEL

#5 GET THE CLIENT’S APPROVAL

#6 ATTACHING THE MIC

#7 CLEAR THE ROOM

#8 MULTI-CAMERA SETUP

#9 HAVE YOUR EDITOR HANDY

#10 USING A HOST

#11 CONCISE IS KEY

#12 THE LAST QUESTION