{"id":87253,"date":"2017-02-28T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-28T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=87253"},"modified":"2017-11-07T12:01:06","modified_gmt":"2017-11-07T18:01:06","slug":"production-tips-make-interviewees-comfortable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/production-tips-make-interviewees-comfortable\/","title":{"rendered":"Production Tips: Making Interviewees Comfortable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shooting interviews for your next video project? Follow these tips to make your interviewees comfortable and get the best results.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via Parker Digital<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Conducting interviews for film, video, or television<\/strong>\u00a0requires a nuanced skill set. Yes, strong technical knowledge <\/strong>is\u00a0important so you can set-up, light, and record audio effectively. But the hallmark of a successful interview is the quality of footage and sound bites<\/strong> you get out of your interviewee.<\/p>\n

How do you do it? You have to make your interviewee\u00a0relaxed, comfortable, and confident<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 which is easier said than done. Here are seven\u00a0tried-and-true ways to help you get the most out of your next interviewee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1. Start Recording Audio Before Video<\/h3>\n
\"Production<\/a>

Image via Shutterstock<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

First tip: Start recording audio<\/strong>\u00a0before you get picture lock. There\u2019s no reason to let any potential audio go to waste<\/strong>. If you\u2019re trying\u00a0to make<\/strong>\u00a0your interviewee comfortable<\/strong> off-the-bat, it doesn\u2019t hurt to have that off-the-cuff audio<\/strong> available in case you need it in a pinch later.<\/p>\n

Pro-tip<\/strong>: Use\u00a0a wireless lapel mic<\/a> on all interview shoots (even if you\u2019re recording audio with a boom) to\u00a0ensure you don\u2019t miss anything.<\/p>\n

2. Tell Them What You\u2019re Looking For \u2014 and Why<\/h3>\n

\"Production
\n<\/a>Image via Lynda.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

From the moment your interviewee\u00a0arrives on set<\/strong> to the moment they leave, \u00a0your highest priority is to connect with them<\/strong> to make them feel comfortable. One great way to connect with your interviewee<\/strong>\u00a0is to share information about yourself, the project, and the day’s specific shoot. Be upfront and honest and share your expectations<\/strong> for\u00a0sound bites or emotional reactions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, share<\/strong> why<\/strong><\/em> you’re seeking this information<\/strong>\u00a0so they can understand where you\u2019re coming from. This helps them\u00a0articulate\u00a0their answers and talking points<\/strong> more clearly.<\/p>\n

3. Give Hints in Your Questions<\/h3>\n

\"Production
\n<\/a>Image via Steve Spence<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

When asking your interview questions<\/strong>, it can be helpful to give \u201chints\u201d about\u00a0what you want to hear\u00a0(especially if you\u2019re working on a\u00a0storyboarded project). 99 percent of the time, if your questions are specific and\u00a0thought-out, you\u2019ll hear your own talking\u00a0points in the answer<\/strong>. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

Q: What about this event do you love? Is it the people, is it the venue, is it the location \u2014 anything like that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Well, I love this event; it\u2019s the people, the venue, the location \u2014 it\u2019s just great!<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Author’s note: I know this sounds forced, but I swear, try it. If they don’t repeat the information point by point, they’ll at least mimic your tone.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

4. Make Them Smile<\/h3>\n

\"Production<\/a>

Image via Wikipedia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>Easier said than done right? Some interviewees just seem perpetually uncomfortable<\/strong>. However, science has proved<\/a> that people are more relaxed and engaged when they smile and laugh<\/strong>. Same goes for you as the interviewer:\u00a0smile, laugh, and relax<\/strong>\u00a0to put your interviewee at ease.<\/p>\n

Pro-tip<\/strong>: If you can get a chuckle, then encourage them to keep smiling as they talk. It\u2019s a well known radio-trick<\/a> that broadcasters smile while they talk because it energizes their\u00a0voices (and their nerves).<\/p>\n

5. Get Them to Say Yes<\/h3>\n

\"Production
\n<\/a>Image via Wistia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Another psychological trick<\/strong> that you can use is to\u00a0condition people to be more agreeable and open<\/strong> by simply getting them to say “Yes<\/em>.” It\u2019s a little manipulative, yes, but it\u2019s for a good cause, right? See what I\u2019m doing here?<\/p>\n

Pro-tip<\/strong>: If you gather basic information about\u00a0your interviewee, a good way to get them agreeing is by asking them to confirm basic things like their name, employer, job title, and address\u00a0by asking yes-or-no questions. Remember, it feels good<\/em> to say yes<\/a>!<\/p>\n

6. Free Their Hands (and Bodies)<\/h3>\n
\"Production<\/a>

Image via Shutterstock<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Depending on your interview set-up<\/strong>, your interviewees\u00a0may be sitting, standing, or moving around<\/strong>. Sitting stationary has its advantages for technical aspects like lighting, focus, and sound<\/strong>, but it can make\u00a0<\/strong>your interviewee uncomfortable. People like to move around, especially when they talk.<\/p>\n

If you have to keep\u00a0your interviewee in one spot, encourage them to use their hands<\/strong>. It helps them emote and convey<\/strong>\u00a0information,\u00a0<\/strong>and it can often make them more expressive.<\/p>\n

7. Get Them in a Conversation<\/h3>\n

On that same subject,\u00a0people\u00a0really like to converse<\/strong>. While some can do it well, most people are not inclined\u00a0to talk for the sake of talking<\/strong>. People respond best when they are in a conversation with another human being<\/strong>. It\u2019s much more natural to\u00a0explain ideas or processes to another person<\/strong> than it is to simply speak to a camera or a light.<\/p>\n

Pro-tip<\/strong>: Consider shooting your interviews slightly from the side. If you are using\u00a0a producer or interviewer, position them there where they can engage with the interviewee face to face and actually, you know, chat.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for more video interview tips and tricks<\/strong> (both technical and practical), check out some of these resources<\/strong>.<\/p>\n