There
are many styles a company video can take, it could be a clear instructional
video, a dynamic promo or the announcement of the latest financial results.
What nearly all of these videos have in common is the
interview. The bedrock of thousands of hours of filming. The interview allows
you to communicate directly to the audience, there is no-one mediating your
words, everyone can see your body language.
Some of our new clients are nervous before we film
interviews, but there is no need to be. You are in control, you decide which
answers make the final edit and of course we can record more than one version
of an answer.
We run media training courses with all levels of employees
and a lot of our attendees are surprised when we don’t recommend that you
practise your answers in too much detail, a good interviewer will be able to
listen and edit possible answers in their head as we record. As you get warmed
up we often go back and ask the first few questions again.
Talk through how the interview will fit into the programme
with the director. Will the interview be the first item or is it one of
many voices? A quick informal chat will help you understand the pace of your
answers.
Your answers will be edited. Try not to answer with long
elongated sentences. This makes it very tricky for the editor to find the exact
few words they are looking for. We talk on average at a rate of three words
per second. The average statement form an interview is often only 40 seconds to
a minute, which means that you need to answer the question succinctly, stick to
the core subject.
Allow plenty of time for your interview. We want you to feel
comfortable and not be planning your next meeting in your head. Give yourself
time to say hello to the crew. The sound recordist will want to check how
loud you speak, the cameraman may want to tweak the position of a light if you
are taller/smaller than they expected. Give them time to make everything
perfect, after all you want the best results possible.
We are often asked what our interviewees should wear.
Audiences will expect an executive in a formal video to wear a suit. Plain
colours are preferable, try to avoid thin stripes. Most interviews are filmed
in a mid-shot where the frame cuts off just below the chest. This is a
comfortable shot for the viewer as it allows us to see your hands while you
speak. If you are making a very important point we may also frame tighter
to your head and shoulders so that the viewer can focus on your eyes.
Where should we film your interview? We can cope with most
visual situations but our nemesis is a noisy environment. We want to focus on
your words and hear you clearly, so please bear in mind any sound issues when
you suggest a location for the interview. The most popular location we
end up in is the company boardroom. This is understandable but often visually
very plain. Take a walk around your office with fresh eyes, you may see a great
backdrop you wouldn't normally have considered.
We hope that these tips will help you when you are asked to
be part of a video. Take your time and enjoy the process, we are interested in
what you have to say.
If you would like to talk through your ideas for a video
please contact us and we would love to share some thoughts with you.