5 Tips to Get the Best out of an Onscreen Interview
Hi, all. Sorry about the long gap between posts. I’ve had a lot of freelance work lately, so my schedule’s been overbooked. Things are starting to calm down a little, though, so I’m hoping to post more regularly.
Despite the fact that camcorders and digital cameras are commonplace these days, most people grow quickly uncomfortable when faced with reality of being interviewed on camera. Perhaps it’s the fact that interviews seem more important than casual snapshots of them with their friends or videos of them singing karaoke at a party. Perhaps it’s the fact that interviews comes with bright lights, microphones, and entire film crews staring at them while they’re answering questions about their lives. Either way, your job as a director and/or interviewer is to make your subjects as calm as possible in front of the camera. Below are five tips to help you do just that.
Shoot B-Roll First
Sitting under hot, bright lights for an hour while people stare at you can be a daunting undertaking. For this reason, even seasoned theatre actors can have trouble adjusting to film work. One way to ease your interviewees’ anxieties is to shoot some b-roll of them before the interview. Even if you have no plans to use the footage, it’s a great idea to get shots of people in a comfortable environment. You can film professors working at their desks, for instance, or scientists working in their labs. Shots like this will give your interviewees a chance to get used to the camera before having to speak in front of it.
Remind Them This Isn’t Live
It’s easy for a filmmaker to take the editing process for granted, but interviewees often think that every word they utter gets beamed across the world for everyone to see. As you begin the interview, remind your subjects that pausing to think and tripping over words from time to time is a normal part of the process. Let them know that any time they want to start an answer over again, they’re welcome to do that. Reassure them that you’ll only be using the best pieces of the interview in the final cut.
Start with Softball Questions
Most interviewees warm up as the interview goes along, so don’t start with important questions. Start with simple questions that may never make it to the final cut — questions such as “So, how long have you been a biologist?” or “When did you decide you wanted to be a firefighter?” Usually, after two or three simple questions, your subject will be ready to tackle more difficult topics.
Take a Break, if Needed
Keep a close eye on your subjects. If you sense them growing weary, take a break. This will give them a chance to relax a little bit before you continue your questioning. Moreover, these breaks are a perfect time to reassure your subjects that they’re doing well — that they’re giving you a lot of good material. Even the toughest, most stoic of people will usually appreciate hearing that they’re doing well. Again, this encouragement will help them to relax when you turn the camera on again.
Ask the Same Question in Different Ways
Sometimes your subjects won’t give you a particularly good answer to a question — maybe the answer is too short; maybe it’s a little convoluted. The last thing you want to do is tell your subjects that they’re not giving you what you need. This will only make them nervous or angry. Instead, ask your question again in a different way. For instance, you could say something like, “You said earlier that you like working in small groups because you think it’s easier to exchange ideas. I think that’s an interesting point. Can you tell me more about that?” Phrasing follow-up questions like this tells your interviewees that their answers are insightful and important, and that you’re interested in hearing more from them.
