Tips for Coporate Video Interviews
It is the unfortunate fate of a filmmaker to be used for things other than filmmaking. This includes weddings and event videography and yes, corporate videos. But everyone has to pay the bills right?
I've just finished filming for another corporate video. Due to the significant amount of corporate work we do, I've decided to start a few rules for filming interviews for corporate videos.
First is the equipment, I have 3 1k lights, you don't really need all of that however, and if its only a one person crew you're going to end up carrying a lot, completely exhausting yourself and wasting a lot of time. So I've narrowed the equipment to its minimal state that being:
1- Camera
1- Tripod
1- 1k
1- Umbrella
1- 12 ft stinger
1- Mic
1- Head phones
1- XLR cable
1- RCA cable
1- XLR to RCA adapter
1- Microphone boom stand
1- Roll of gaffer tape.
Battery adapter thing to power camera.
This set up made me very mobile.
How did I light with one light you ask? Well that is a great question, I left the fluorescents on, because for some reason on video you don't really see a significant difference with the two lights (since they are different temperatures). Then I place it as close to the camera as possible and start filming.
So here is my rules of corporate video interviews.
- If using fluorescents set your shutter to 30 - because if you don't the fluorescents will change color while you are filming, going from purple to yellow. You will probably think its a problem with the white balance. When its not. This is a HUGE tip by the way.
- Add as much depth to the image as possible by backing the camera as far from the subject as possible and then zooming in, then combine that with a low f-stop, and you will look like a pro!
- Have the interviewer sit as close to the camera as possible and as close to the eyeline as possible, this makes the eyeline of the subject closer to the camera and hence the audience will feel more involved with the subject.
- Ask them to them say their name and spelling just in case you need to know who is who.
- Ask them to answer their questions by repeating the question in the answer: "why do you like jerry?" - "I like jerry because..." this way the audience will know what they are answering to. Another HUGE tip.
- Picking a location to interview in is very challenging and you will have to rely on your instincts for that one. However don't clutter the frame, don't put them up against a blank wall, and focus on making the background un-intrusive.
- Turn your cell phone off, its very embarrassing if its yours.
- Make it as short as possible because the tendency will be to go long, when typically you're only looking for a less than 10 second spot. This will also eat your tape and editing time when you go back to watch it.
These tips have all come handy during every single interview I've done, I hope they help and happy filmmaking.
I've just finished filming for another corporate video. Due to the significant amount of corporate work we do, I've decided to start a few rules for filming interviews for corporate videos.
First is the equipment, I have 3 1k lights, you don't really need all of that however, and if its only a one person crew you're going to end up carrying a lot, completely exhausting yourself and wasting a lot of time. So I've narrowed the equipment to its minimal state that being:
1- Camera
1- Tripod
1- 1k
1- Umbrella
1- 12 ft stinger
1- Mic
1- Head phones
1- XLR cable
1- RCA cable
1- XLR to RCA adapter
1- Microphone boom stand
1- Roll of gaffer tape.
Battery adapter thing to power camera.
This set up made me very mobile.
How did I light with one light you ask? Well that is a great question, I left the fluorescents on, because for some reason on video you don't really see a significant difference with the two lights (since they are different temperatures). Then I place it as close to the camera as possible and start filming.
So here is my rules of corporate video interviews.
- If using fluorescents set your shutter to 30 - because if you don't the fluorescents will change color while you are filming, going from purple to yellow. You will probably think its a problem with the white balance. When its not. This is a HUGE tip by the way.
- Add as much depth to the image as possible by backing the camera as far from the subject as possible and then zooming in, then combine that with a low f-stop, and you will look like a pro!
- Have the interviewer sit as close to the camera as possible and as close to the eyeline as possible, this makes the eyeline of the subject closer to the camera and hence the audience will feel more involved with the subject.
- Ask them to them say their name and spelling just in case you need to know who is who.
- Ask them to answer their questions by repeating the question in the answer: "why do you like jerry?" - "I like jerry because..." this way the audience will know what they are answering to. Another HUGE tip.
- Picking a location to interview in is very challenging and you will have to rely on your instincts for that one. However don't clutter the frame, don't put them up against a blank wall, and focus on making the background un-intrusive.
- Turn your cell phone off, its very embarrassing if its yours.
- Make it as short as possible because the tendency will be to go long, when typically you're only looking for a less than 10 second spot. This will also eat your tape and editing time when you go back to watch it.
These tips have all come handy during every single interview I've done, I hope they help and happy filmmaking.
posted by Tim at 3:41 PM
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