{"id":190,"date":"2015-02-09T13:16:46","date_gmt":"2015-02-09T12:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vision.wettintv.de\/?page_id=190"},"modified":"2022-04-12T13:18:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T12:18:54","slug":"07-producing-an-interview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vision-videoschool.eu\/?page_id=190","title":{"rendered":"Producing an interview"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n

In this chapter you’ll learn how to prepare for and record interviews, whether\u00a0stand-alone or as part of a bigger video project (e.g. documentary film).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0Vision in action<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

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  1. Pack the necessary equipment. Double-check you have everything you need, and that it’s working\u00a0properly, before you go to the location. (Remember \u2013\u00a0you need to have permission to shoot at the \u00a0 given location.)<\/li>\n
  2. Go through all the questions before the interview, either on your own or with another project member.<\/li>\n
  3. If you haven’t done so before the day of the interview, give\u00a0the interviewee the chance to look at the questions when you meet on location.<\/li>\n
  4. Find a suitable spot\u00a0for the interview. Ideally this should have:\n
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    • good light, either natural or artificial<\/li>\n
    • as little noise as possible<\/li>\n
    • features or objects\u00a0that\u00a0relate to the interviewee themselves, or to the topic of the interview<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Decide where\u00a0the interviewer, interviewee,\u00a0camera operator and sound engineer need to stand. Think about:\n
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      • whether the interviewer should be in the picture or not (are they an\u00a0important presence\u00a0in the film? If you’re filming a documentary, could you just play a voiceover by the interviewer, or do you need to see them?)<\/li>\n
      • how the interviewer’s position affects the interviewee’s. If the interviewer stands\u00a0left of\u00a0the camera, the interviewee\u00a0would need to\u00a0turn slightly to his or her\u00a0right, and vice versa.<\/li>\n
      • positioning the camera at the interviewee’s eye level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Remind the interviewee to:\n
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        • look into the eyes of the interviewer, not at the camera.<\/li>\n
        • reply in complete sentences.<\/li>\n
        • integrate the questions into the answer in case\u00a0the interviewer’s questions are edited out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Listen to the interviewee carefully. Tell\u00a0them when they’re not complying with the above rules, and probe further if they’re not answering your questions to the extent you’d like. Often, asking ‚why‘ as a follow-up question is an easy way to get more information.<\/li>\n
        • Change the framing from time to time. You can, for example, take a break after every third question\u00a0and change\u00a0the framing. Remember to also film details, such as close-ups of hands. If you’re filming with one camera only, you can shoot details after the actual interview, for example while the interviewee is talking\u00a0about an every-day subject.<\/li>\n
        • Make sure you get the interviewee’s permission to publish their interview, at the latest just after the interview is finished.<\/li>\n
        • Remember to film shots of the location, to use in the film’s introduction and illustrate what the interviewee says in the interview.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n
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Equipment and tools<\/h2>\n

Camera<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You can record an interview\u00a0with any type of camera. You may want to use a tripod to make sure the picture is smooth, without any shakes or jolts.<\/p>\n

The type of\u00a0lens you use will determine\u00a0where you can film, and what the distance should be between the camera and the interviewee(s).<\/p>\n

See\u00a0Camera basics<\/a>\u00a0and Camera advanced<\/a>\u00a0for information on\u00a0framing and lens types for interviews.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Light<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Check the\u00a0available light at the location\u00a0where you want to film and bring any additional lighting you need. This can include\u00a0lights\u00a0on tripods, a video\u00a0light (a light you can attach directly to the camera), or a single strong light\u00a0you can point at the ceiling to illuminate the room indirectly with softer light. Always take\u00a0additional lights with you if you don’t know what the conditions are like on location. [1]<\/span><\/p>\n

See\u00a0Basics of lighting<\/a>\u00a0for information on how to use lights in your video.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sound equipment<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You’re filming\u00a0an interview,\u00a0so it’s important to be able to\u00a0hear the speakers\u00a0clearly. Lapel microphones are great for this, but you can also use a hand-held microphone or a microphone attached to a boom. Whichever type you choose, make sure that you place the microphone\u00a0close to the interviewee’s mouth.<\/p>\n

Depending on the type of interview, you might decide that\u00a0background sound is also important to the message. For example, if you’re interviewing\u00a0a baker at work, including\u00a0noise from the bakery will help you create the right\u00a0atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Sound, music and sound effects<\/a>\u00a0will give you\u00a0more information on recording and editing sound.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Main section<\/h2>\n

Filming an interview usually requires good preparation. Here are the main\u00a0the things you’ll need to think about:<\/p>\n