Shooting an Interview TV-Style (page 2)

Interview Procedures

The neutral angle establishing shot is used to begin, and maybe to end the interview. If the sound quality is good enough, you can start the interview in the establishing shot. Often, however, this wide two-shot acts as a silent background for a title or voiceover introduction to the interview. In the same way, you can use this shot to wrap up the sequence. Typically, subject and reporter simply exchange unheard small talk behind the credits.

It's often a good idea to delay the actual questions and answers until after the two-shot, because shifting the camera, lights and mike for the main interview setup (Figures 2 and 3) can take long enough to distract the participants and lose the flow of the discussion.

Typically, the interview will start with an over-the-shoulder closeup of the subject. In framing the shot, try to include the side of the reporter's face. A moving cheek will indicate that the reporter is speaking, without revealing what's being said. (The editor can then lay "moving cheek" footage over anything the reporter says.)

After you have enough footage over the reporter's shoulder, zoom in to the subject's closeup . That way, the closer angle on the subject can enhance the growing drama of the interview. (If you time it right, you can zoom and re-frame during a question so that the editor can replace the zoom with a shot of the reporter.)

Wait a minute. What shot of the reporter would that be? Ah. Now comes the trick. You set up and shoot the reporter after the main interview is over; in fact, you can allow the subject to leave at this point.

If you've been miking only the subject, the reporter will need to repeat every question. The easiest way to do this is with a playback deck: find each question on the A roll, play it back for the reporter, and then tape the reporter repeating it on the B roll. If you don't have the equipment to do this, roll through the original footage in the camcorder, making notes on each question, and then have the reporter work from these notes. In some cases, you won't need a follow-up question. Instead, the editor can insert a brief shot of the reporter listening while the subject adds to the previous response.

And now the reporter gets to really act. To provide cutaway footage for the editor, you need to record a repertory of reporter reactions for insertion at suitable moments. In addition to simply listening and nodding encouragement, a few other reactions are often useful:

•   Slight puzzlement, as if to say, "Could you explain that further?"
•   Mild surprise, indicating "You don't say," or "No kidding!
•   A smile, signaling a warm response to a humorous remark.

Of course, the subject's statements may suggest other reactions.

You can, of course, personalize this interview formula (some directors omit the neutral angle establishing shot), but our outline should get you launched in the right direction to shoot an interview that will rival anything on network TV.

Sidebar: Tips for Camcorder Setups
Here are some suggestions for getting the best possible picture and sound quality:

• Keep the camcorder back from the subject. A long camera throw, as it's called, keeps the hardware out of the subject's face and the telephoto lens setting makes for pleasing closeup shots.
• Light the background by moving the subject. Working with minimal lighting, you'll illuminate the background with spill from the key and fill lights. Watching your monitor carefully, move your subjects toward or away from the walls behind them until the subject lighting makes the backgrounds just slightly darker than the foregrounds.
• Use slightly low camera angles. Generally, people look more impressive when shot from just below eye level.
• Make the best use of camcorder mikes. When forced to record audio with the built-in microphone, move as close to your subject as possible. Since wide-angle lenses tend to produce unflattering closeups, try to stay with wider waist- and chest-level compositions.

Sidebar: Interview Equipment Checklist

__ Tripod
__ External viewscreen or monitor
__ External microphone
__ Headphones
__ Lights