Videotape the interview
Your most important job on the day of
the family history interview will be to put, and keep, your storyteller at
ease. Talk to them ahead of time about what you expect. Let them help you plan
the topics. It’s best to do the interview in a well-lit, shaded place, like a
covered patio. Choose a sunny day and start early.
On-camera clothing advice for
storytellers. Solid-colored blues, grays, greens and earth tones work best.
Avoid bright red, orange, and bright white. Dark red is ok. An off-white shirt
is ok. No clothing with large or vertical patterns—pin stripes, herringbone. No
shiny or glittery jewelry. Men look classier in shirts with collars than
t-shirts. Hair and makeup advice. Women
wear regular, daytime street makeup. Avoid eye shadows, lip gloss, and rouge
with blue tones (maroon, dark red). Secure hair so that wisps don’t blow in the
face.
Interview stage
Interview area should be clutter-free
and well lit. Seat your storyteller 4-6 feet from the background wall.
If you
must shoot an interview in a room with white walls, arrange the shot in front
of a bookcase or large plant, or drape an earth-toned, solid-colored sheet
behind them. Sit
next to the camera and have them look at you while telling their stories. If
the subject is framed on the right side, you sit on the left side of the
camera. If framed on the left side, you sit on the right side of the camera.
If it’s not a cloudless sky and
you’re relying on natural light only, consider having a second person monitor
the camera for lighting changes.
If possible, use a white foam board to reflect some light on the subject. For a truly professional look, use a three-point lighting setup. Only do this if your subject is enthused about the process. Sitting under intense lights for any amount of time can be a uncomfortable and compromise your interview.
Start the video with a blank tape and
fully-charged battery. Adjust the camera before the interview starts. After
that you need only check the tape and battery every half hour or so. You don’t
need to look through the viewfinder for the entire interview as long as the
lighting is constant. Be alert for changing lighting conditions—a cloud passing
over when using natural lighting. Make exposure adjustments as needed.
Compose the shots using
| 1 | 2 | >Crisp video and sound
Getting Good Interviews
Interview—Crisp video and sound
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Copyright September 2009 Family History Coach All rights reserved Last update April 27, 2010
