Interviews are a powerful way to tell stories, share ideas, and connect with audiences. Whether you're a journalist, a marketer, or a content creator, a well-filmed interview can help you achieve your goals. But filming an interview is not as simple as pointing a camera at someone and hitting record. To make sure your interview is effective and engaging, you need to follow some dos and don'ts. In this blog post, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you film great interviews.

Pre-Interview Preparation

Preparation is key when it comes to filming an interview. Before you even start setting up your equipment, you need to research your interviewee and the topic you will be discussing. This will help you come up with relevant questions that will make for a great interview. You should also check your equipment to make sure everything is in working order and that you have enough batteries, memory cards, and any other necessary accessories.

Once you have all of your equipment ready, make sure to choose a location that is appropriate for the interview. You want to make sure the background is not distracting and that the lighting and sound are optimal. If possible, conduct a pre-interview with your interviewee to get a feel for their personality and to help them feel more comfortable on camera.

Dos during an interview

Do create a rapport

Start the interview with some small talk to help the interviewee feel more comfortable. Listen actively to what they're saying and respond appropriately.

Do use open-ended questions

Ask questions that allow the interviewee to provide detailed and thoughtful answers. Avoid yes/no questions or leading questions that suggest a particular answer.

Do have a clear idea of what you want to achieve

Define your objectives for the interview and structure your questions accordingly.

Do use good lighting and sound

Make sure the interviewee is well-lit, and the sound quality is clear and consistent. Use a lapel microphone or a boom microphone to capture the sound.

Do allow for natural pauses

Don't rush the interviewee or interrupt them if they're thinking or composing their answer.

Do use multiple camera angles

Using multiple camera angles can add visual interest to your interview and help break up the monotony of one static shot. This is especially important if the interview is going to be long or if you plan on using a lot of footage from the interview. It also gives you more options during the editing process.

Do edit carefully

Once you have all of your footage, it's time to start the editing process! This is where you will be able to create a cohesive story from the interview. When editing, it's important to keep your audience in mind. Make sure your editing choices are engaging and relevant to your audience. You can also add visual effects, such as text overlays, to highlight important points or add context to the interview.

Don’ts during an interview

Don't assume your interviewee is comfortable on camera

Not everyone is comfortable being filmed, especially if they have never been interviewed before. As the interviewer, it is your job to make your interviewee feel comfortable and at ease.

Start by having a casual conversation with them before the interview begins; ask them about their day, what they had for lunch, and if they have anything interesting lined up for the weekend. This will help them relax and get more comfortable on camera.

Don't forget to check the equipment before starting the interview

Make sure everything is working properly and that you have enough memory and battery life.

Don't interrupt the interviewee

Let them finish their answer before asking a follow-up question.

Don't ask leading questions

Avoid questions that suggest a particular answer or that might influence the interviewee's response.

Don't ignore audio

While having good visuals is important, the audio is just as crucial to a successful interview. Make sure you are using a high-quality microphone and monitor the audio throughout the interview to ensure that there are no technical issues.

Get it right with VideoHaus!

Filming an interview requires preparation, technical knowledge, and good communication skills. By following the dos and don'ts we have shared, you can create engaging and effective interviews that tell a compelling story!

But if you want to simplify the process, consider using Videohaus, a self-service video studio with the perfect interview setup and a camera technician who will ensure your footage is high quality. Additionally, our video editors can help you turn your raw footage into a polished final product that will captivate your audience.

Don't let the process of filming an interview overwhelm you; let Videohaus help you get it right!