the art of the video interview | 2015 case multimedia workshop

The Art of the Video Interview

Ravi Jain | @ravidjain | #CASEMMW

The Art of the Video Interview | @ravidjain | #casemmw

• Human voice

• Subjective point of view

• Authenticity

• Opportunity for engagement

What is it about The Interview?


What is it about Interviews in Higher Ed?

• Representation of school/department

• Peer voice

• Reflection of diversity

• Deeper than the observational

• Access by proxy


Challenges of Video Interviews

• Content by Mandate

• Ubiquitous format

• Same old, same old

• Finding the fresh way


My history with interviews

• After mining the Sitcom genre...

• Have my own talk show

• Only time to produce?

• In my car, during my commute to work

• Honed my listening acumen due to weekly format


DriveTime

https://youtu.be/B9BA-47OSl4




American Experience Behind the Scenes

• Don’t hide the business of the environment

• Achieving level of comfort with subjects

• Know what you need to get

• Have questions prepared, but don’t follow a script necessarily

http://pbs.netscape.com/wgbh/amex/weapon/sfeature/behindthescenes.html






10 Takeaways,10 Videos


1. Preparation

• Concept

• Scouting location

• Pre-interviewing (in person or phone)

• Building narrative arc

https://youtu.be/oqByKK7ktUQ




2. Visual Language

• Sit-down interview in office?

• Standing interview “on site”

• Voice-over driven

• Storyboard your framing

• Better to shoot too wide, than too tight

https://youtu.be/4Nxsfv_AcEY




3. Secondary Footage

• Ah, B-roll! Shoot wide variety

• Augment and reinforce talking points

• But also, show don’t tell

• Can be shot, collected separately from interview

https://youtu.be/3AuHrp8hPs0




4. Lighting

• Formal studio lighting

• Bounce and fill

• Full on natural light

http://www.bc.edu/offices/avp/core/pilot-core-courses.html




5. Camera(s)

• Single Camera vs Multi-camera?

• If multi, match or not match cameras?

• The benefit of HD for the digital zoom

https://youtu.be/iry6Vr4D_FA




6. Sound

• Bad sound = bad video

• ALWAYS mic’ up your subject

• Wireless lav kit

• Monitor your audio

• Can record audio separately from video

• Get room tone!

https://youtu.be/GCWTOPd3250




7. Location

• Office, lab or similar authentic space?

• Or just good looking space?

• Sounds around your shooting space

• If natural light, scout at same time of day

https://youtu.be/j_6408ULGwg




8. The Actual Interview• Warm up subject

• Go for conversation vs Q&A

• DO NOT give questions beforehand

• Know what you want to get and get it

• Circle back instead of hammering

• Repeat key messaging points in S, M, L

• Have subjets introduce themselves (again)

https://youtu.be/MtDEiAK9xCA




9. Post-production• The danger of editing to transcript

• If piece hangs on interview, cut interview first

• Then utilize B-roll to fill in cuts, gaps

• Still imagery can work too (Ken Burns)

• Original animation, motion graphics if possible

• Audio and/or music can round out

• Consistent visual design/branding

https://youtu.be/vZGmxmKio-w




10. Maybe you don’t need an Interview

• Full on “show, don’t tell”

• Mood piece

• On-screen text provides specifics

• Supporting site, material can have institutional voice

https://youtu.be/fATuoSM5KvQ




• Break into small groups to do video interviews

• Share raw footage

• Take a pass at editing

• Share results with #CASEMMW and #artofvideointerview

10 Minute Group Activity(Depending on time, could be do-at-home activity)


10 Minute Group Activity

• Need a producer (I’ll be EP)

• Need an interview subject

• Need an interviewer

• Need a videographer/editor (who can post the footage)

• Need someone to log notes

• Need a PA or grip

• Pre-interview or B-roll a plus

(Depending on time, could be do-at-home activity)


10 Minute Group Activity

• Need introduction

• Three questions

• Theme? Describe your #CASEMMW experience

(Depending on time, could be do-at-home activity)


Questions?

• Tweet me @ravidjain

• Ask me now

• Ask me in the Q&A Session

• Email me


Thank you!

The Art of the Video Interview

Ravi Jain | @ravidjain | #CASEMMW

the art of the video interview | 2015 case multimedia workshop

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