Webcasting 101

• Decide on a location. Keep in mind the visual background and potential background noise. Avoid windows behind the subject because they create glare.
• Decide on what type of shots you want to use. Consider whether you want a shot of both the interviewer and the interviewee, or just the interviewee. You may want to try shooting "over the shoulder" of the interviewee to get a good shot of the interviewer (a good shot to use for transitions when editing). A variety of shots is really the way to go. 
• A lavalier mic or hand-held microphone will work best for capturing good interview sound. Test it to make sure it works.
• Decide on clearly defined production roles ahead of time. Ask and decide: What needs to be done? Who will do what?
• Schedule the interview so that all needed people and equipment are available.
• If time allows, do a practice run of the interview with a stand-in. Generally you may not want to do a practice run with the actual interviewee - the person may be very busy and not have time for it. Also, bear in mind if you want the person's responses to be spontaneous or more rehearsed or thought out. Set up the camera and decide where the interviewer and interviewee will sit. Test the microphone placement. Practice the shot and run through the interview questions.
• Test all the equipment before you go out into the field. If something is broken, you want to find that out before you get started. Make sure you have batteries, video tape, a tripod and all the essential items you need.
• If it's appropriate, ask your subject to wear camera friendly clothing. That is, no tight patterns (like herringbone) because they tend to "dance" or look like they're moving. Always avoid white and black when you can.  They will either be overly bright or dark.
• Arrive early to get set up if the conditions allow for it. When you greet your interviewee, you want to be ready to start the interview, not setting up the equipment. If the person or people you are interviewing are not used to being around cameras, seeing it get all set up can make them nervous.
• In general, a camera makes a person look ten pounds heavier than they are.
• If the person is wearing glasses, check to see if the glasses are reflecting any light you may be using. If they are, adjust the angle of the glasses or the light so you cannot see the lights reflected off the glasses.

During the interview:

• Be aware of the background and whether it adds or distracts from the subject.
• To put interviewees at ease, you might give the person a general idea of the questions you are going to ask, or talk about something that interests them. The more at ease the person is, the more natural responses they'll give.
• To put the person at ease, let them know that this video will be edited (if it will be), so if they don't say something clearly and want to start that sentence over again, they can. People will relax if they know they don't have to be perfect.
• Try to be clear and to the point. Ask follow-up questions when appropriate.
• Consider whether or not you want the person to include your question in their answer. Is the viewer going to hear you ask the question?
• Remember to place the microphone close enough to the subject to get clear sound (4 - 6 inches away from the mouth).
• If the person wears glasses, is there a reflection of you or the light source in those glasses?
• Get shots of items the interviewer talks about (this is called B-roll). These could be a document, a special poster, a building, etc.
• Before you leave, thank the person for the interview. Make sure to leave your surroundings as they were when you arrived.
• Make sure you have the person sign a release form before you leave if you need one. This form is written authorization signed by the person you videotape that says you can use the video tape of them, their business, their school project, etc

After the Interview

• Look at the tape and talk about what went well during the interview process.
• What could have gone better?
• How can you and your team plan to avoid the same problems in the next interview?
• How was the interview useful to your project?

My Shooting/Editing Method

• The easy way is to introduce the interview and ask the first question from a two shot. 
• Then shoot a one shot of interviewee answering all questions. 
• After the interview is finished, shoot a two shot of interviewer thanking the interviewee for their time. 
• Now it’s time to shoot a one shot of the interviewer asking the questions.
• Edit these into one cohesive interview.
  • Two shot to begin with introduction and first question
  • Alternate between one shot of question, then answer.
  • End with two shot of interviewer thanking interviewee for the interview.
    (that’s hard to say three times out loud)