1. Prepare Your Interview Environment
The setting you choose for an interview plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic and professionalism of the video. Here are a few tips to ensure your interview space is ready:
- Lighting: Natural light is ideal, but in many cases, you may need to supplement it with artificial lighting. A three-point lighting setup — consisting of a key light (the main light on the subject), a fill light (which softens shadows), and a backlight (which creates separation from the background) — is a great place to start. Make sure the lighting is flattering and not too harsh.
- Background: Keep the background simple and non-distracting, a clean backdrop or one that complements the theme of the interview can create a more polished look. Try to avoid cluttered spaces or anything that could take attention away from the interviewee.
- Sound: Audio quality is just as important as video. Choose a quiet location with minimal background noise and if you can invest in lapel microphones, or shotgun microphones for a crisp, clear sound. (Avoid using the built-in microphones of your camera, as they typically pick up too much ambient noise).
2. Set Up Your Camera
The camera setup is crucial for a professional interview. Here’s how to achieve the best results:
- Camera Positioning: Position the camera at the interviewee’s eye level, ensuring their face is well-lit and clearly visible. Use a medium close-up shot, where the subject’s head and shoulders fill the frame. A wider shot can also be used if the surroundings are important to the interview.
- Rule of Thirds: When framing the shot, stick to the rule of thirds by positioning the subject off-centre, this creates a more dynamic and visually interesting composition. Typically, the interviewee should be placed on the right or left third of the frame, leaving space in the direction they are facing.
- Focus: Make sure your subject is in focus, and if you’re using a shallow depth of field, keep the focus on the interviewee to blur the background. This helps emphasise the subject and creates a cinematic feel.
3. Get the Right Audio Equipment
Good audio can make or break an interview. Here’s what you’ll need for top-tier sound:
- Lavalier Microphone: A clip-on lav mic is perfect for interviews as it provides hands-free audio capture. It’s discreet, and the sound quality is usually consistent regardless of the subject’s movements.
- Shotgun Microphone: For interviews where the subject is seated further away from the camera, a shotgun microphone can help focus audio capture on the subject while rejecting ambient noise. Use a boom pole or stand to position it just out of the frame.
- Audio Recorders: External recorders (such as Zoom H5 or H6) can provide cleaner audio than a camera’s internal microphone. These recorders are useful if you want to have more control over the sound.
4. Frame the Interview Properly
In professional interview settings, the framing of the subject is key to delivering a visually appealing result. Here are some tips for proper framing:
- Over-the-Shoulder Shots: For more dynamic interviews, especially when you’re conducting the interview and can’t film the subject alone, try using an over-the-shoulder shot. This gives viewers a sense of being part of the conversation.
- Cutaways: When editing, don’t forget to use cutaways to break up long sections of the interview. This can include B-roll footage of the subject in action, close-ups of hands, or the environment around the interviewee. These shots add depth to the story and keep things visually engaging.
5. Conducting the Interview
While the technical aspects are important, the heart of a good interview is the conversation. As the interviewer, your role is to guide the conversation and ensure the subject feels comfortable.
- Prepare Your Questions: Prior to the interview, prepare a list of questions that flow logically and encourage thoughtful responses. Avoid asking yes/no questions unless they’re followed by follow-up questions.
- Active Listening: Pay close attention to the subject’s answers, and be prepared to ask follow-up questions based on what they say. This makes the conversation feel more natural and engaging.
- Create a Comfortable Environment: Ensure that your subject feels at ease before the camera rolls. Small talk before the interview starts can help build rapport and make the subject feel more comfortable on camera.
6. Editing Your Interview
The editing process is where the magic happens. Here’s how you can create a polished final product:
- Cutting for Flow: Edit your interview for clarity and flow. Trim any unnecessary pauses or “ums” to create a smooth narrative. Sometimes, cutting between different angles (e.g., wide and close-ups) can help maintain visual interest.
- Colour Correction: Adjust the colours to ensure they match across shots, and enhance the overall look. A professional-grade colour grading can elevate the look of your interview footage and make it feel cinematic.
- Sound Mixing: Ensure your audio levels are balanced and that no part of the interview is too quiet or too loud. Use equalisation (EQ) to clean up background noise and create a smooth soundscape.
7. Review and Finalise
Before publishing or distributing the video, always review the footage from start to finish. Watch for any audio issues, awkward cuts, or visual errors. You can also ask for feedback from a colleague or team member to get a fresh perspective.