How to Shoot a Video Interview – 4 Tips to Compose the Shot

An interview is the cornerstone of any good video production. Not only can the quality of the story make or break the video, but so can the visual presentation.

Here are 4 basic guidelines for preparing the composition of an interview:

When positioning your interviewee, you should never put them in front of a window if you can avoid it. Even on overcast days, the amount of light coming in through the window will over the light inside the room. This causes an effect called “backlighting,” where the background will appear bright, but the front – specifically the face – of the interviewee will be very dark: 



Poor Leah – we can’t see her at all!

Avoid shooting right up against a wall

Often what makes an interview visually striking is what is happening around and behind the subject. Besides running the risk of casting shadows, placing your interviewee directly up against a wall effectively prohibits you from taking advantage of what is called “selective focus.” 

You have probably seen photographs or scenes on TV and in film where a person is on screen and the background behind them appears blurry or out of focus. Selective focus makes your subject really pop on screen and draws the attention of the viewer.

When a subject is shot right up against a wall or background, the entire plane of sight appears in-focus, making it difficult for the viewer to focus on one thing.

A good rule of thumb is to get your camera as close as you can to the subject, and the background as far behind your subject as possible. When looking at the room you’re shooting in, mentally divide it in half and make sure you, your camera and your subject are all on one side of the room:



Notice how there is plenty of space behind the subject.

Compare that to:



Or:



If you’re shooting indoors, position yourself as far towards the back of the room with your interviewee right in front of you. This will ensure that a lot space will exist between the back of your subject and the wall behind them. Obviously it’s best to find a deep and narrow space if possible. Try to compose interesting visuals behind the subject, such as an arrangement of flowers or objects that signify the message or values being conveyed in the story. Anything is more aesthetically pleasing than a plain, white wall!

In this example, Rocky and Zach do a really good job of picking a visually pleasing background that lends itself to the production. They were also careful to leave plenty of space between the rear wall and the back of the interviewee.

Once you master this technique, your videos will really stand out from the rest.

Make sure the room is well lit

If you’re a video newbie or a “You Do Video” client, you probably don’t have access to professional lighting equipment. Typically newer HD cameras, and especially Flip cameras, operate very well in natural light. If you’re interviewing inside, turn on the fixtures and/or lamps in the room. Fluorescent lights tend to give off a cooler, blue/pink toned light, while incandescent bulbs tend to have a warmer, yellow/orange tone. Sunlight, believe it or not, actually gives off a blue-toned light.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with multiple light sources.

Keep in mind that using overhead lighting exclusively can give your interviewee what’s called a “raccoon” effect, where dark circles appear around the eyes. If it is daytime, feel free to open the curtains or blinds – just make sure that the window (or any other light source) isn’t behind your interviewee!

Use the “Rule of 3rds”

When positioning, or “framing” your interviewee, try to position them either left or right of center. 



Ideally, the left or right vertical on this diagram should split the face of your subject right down the center.

Among other things, this allows your background to stand out. Sometimes the setting of your interview can help tell the story, so don’t limit yourself. Placing your subject directly in the center can give the appearance of a police mugshot, especially if they are speaking directly into the camera.

Notice the use of the rule of 3rds in this 12 Stars Media production. Chantelle, the interviewee, is positioned to the right of center, and is speaking to the interviewer who is seated opposite her. Notice also that the background behind her is slightly out of focus.

Also, if you do a good job achieving selective focus, the space behind and around your subject won’t be overpowering and will instead frame the interviewee.

Certainly there will be times when violating one or more of these guidelines will be unavoidable, due to space constraints, mobility issue or plain old bad luck.  However, with a little practice and careful planning, even a newbie can achieve a professional look in every video.

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