On-camera interview tips

THE INTERVIEW

On-camera tips

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The on-camera interview

Lighting and external noise control are some of the most important factors when selecting an interview location

It’s important to ensure the interview is shot in the best light

Get the lighting right Avoid wash out

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Don’t feel the need or obligation to place the person behind his or her desk.

By removing it as a protective barrier and a symbol of power, you’ll see the difference in his or her demeanour and attitude

Get the positioning right Remove barriers

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Avoid shooting situations where there’s a flat surface within two meters behind the interviewee

It gives the viewers a feeling of confinement – they want to know where they are in the environment

Check the background The right environment

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There’s no rule that says every person you’re interviewing needs to be sitting in a chair.

Ask them to lean or sit partially on a desk or other piece of furniture.

It will put them in a more relaxed and casual state of mind

Pick the right position A relaxed pose

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Take advantage of background colours, shades and light levels to enhance the contrast of the picture

For example, someone with dark skin, hair or clothing may photograph better if the background is also darker

Too much contrast makes the camera very unhappy

Keep contrast in mind Avoid silhouettes

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Never allow them to sit in a chair that has wheels, that can swivel or that can rock

Nervousness will show in telltale movement of the chair and could disrupt the flow of the interview

Limit movement Avoid spin

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Remove any items from within reach of the person – items that he or she could pick up and fiddle with during an interview

Again, it suggests to the viewer that the person is nervous

Prevent fiddling Remove distractions

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Don’t allow them to be holding anything in their hands during the interview, such as a pen, their glasses, coffee or a cigarette

(Except when there is an overriding reason for it – as in a demonstration or a story about coffee, cigarettes, smoking, etc.)

Hands free Tea before or after

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If they want to have notes, books, files or documents in front of them to which they can refer, politely ask them to put them somewhere out of reach

Be prepared to stop the interview so that they can check notes

However, it’s best if you tell them to speak only about what they know

Keep documents out of reach

No referring to notes

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If the photographer has only one portable light, allow him or her to use the main light from a window to light the subject’s face and the portable light to act as a backlight or hair light

It’s always worth having lighting options on hand

Best use of available lightLighting options are good

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Don’t be afraid to open or close drapes or shades, move furniture or remove items from the walls or from flat surfaces to enhance the composition and lighting of the picture

Rearrange background items

Interior design skills

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If the person is comfortable doing the interview without wearing glasses, consider doing that.

It will prevent reflection and glare problems during the interview.

No matter how well the photographer plans the picture, light will probably reflect off the glasses and into the camera lens

Avoid reflectionsImportant to see the eyes

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Turn off mobile phones, unplug or turn off regular phones, turn off anything that can generate any sounds

Be aware of pets in adjoining rooms or activities outside windows.

If there are workers outside ask them to take a break during the interview.

If children are playing outside, find a way to encourage them to play somewhere else

Limit distractions Do not disturb

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If you can, put a note on any doors that lead to your interview location.

“Shhh. We are conducting an interview.

Please come back later? Thanks!”

Place warnings Polite signs

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The optimum number of people in the room or on the scene outdoors for an interview is three

the person you’re interviewing, the photographer and you

Do not allow anyone else to be in the room of near the outdoor interview

If the person you’re interviewing sees other eyes, he or she will be distracted

More than three is a crowd No overcrowding

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Avoid coaching the person before the interview.

The only thing you need to say is that they should not look at the camera – they should be talking to you.

Avoid the “actor” or “performer” situation which may create fear and anxiety.

Hone your own interviewing skills so that you can elicit complete sentences and complete thoughts

Create a natural environment

No manipulation

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At the end of the interview, make certain that you put everything back where it was

Return shades or curtains to their original positions

Wipe down any surfaces you might have soiled, pick up any tape wrappers or other debris and return the location to exactly as it was before you invaded with your intrusive equipment

Basic housekeeping Neat and tidy

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No matter how unhappy you were with the interview, tell the person that he or she did a great job and thank them from your heart

Say thanks And mean it

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Using material from a training module by Don Ray on Media Helping Media

Don can be contacted for training work at [email protected]

Acknowledgement Don Ray

Image courtesy of Don Ray

http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/

@helpingmedia

On-camera interview tips

On-camera interview tips

Education

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