In video interviews, it is always preferred to have 2 cameras positioned to make editing easier. Many times it is not always possible to set up two good angles. In my years directing interviews, I have had many difficulties in lining up both angles to have optimum framing.
Todays Interviews
As a video director at Levitate, having over a dozen tears experience interviewing thousands of just regular day to day people, you know, business owners, employees, customer testimonials. (Not Professional Actors) \
The biggest challenge is getting the average person to be comfortable in the interview. There are many techniques, such as warming them up, but for me, the biggest thing is to just have a frank conversation with them. People tend to get quite unnatural during the interview process, the lights, multiple cameras, multiple camera operators, it can be quite overwhelming for a person being interviewed that does not have professional acting or commercial experience.
The 90 Degree angle shot
In my experience as a video producer and director, I have always found the 90 degree angle interview frame a bit unsettling, it just looks off to me and feels so unnatural to go from a clip looking just off camera, to almost a profile view in the interviews.
Todays Technology
With the advance in technology and today’s 4K cameras, I have found the solution to be quite simple! With one single camera, framed correctly, you can set up your cuts effortlessly with this simple framing technique! The first step is to set up a good looking medium wide frame for the interview, I then position myself right behind the camera. Traditionally, interviews set up to look past the camera right or left frame, you then set up your rule of thirds accordingly. The biggest challenge with this, is often times, I find it very hard to set up two angles that both look great.
Looking Directly at the camera
Does it work? Yes, in my experience looking directly at the camera produces the most natural cinematic interviews. By positioning myself, the director as close to behind the camera as possible. I have found that the persons being interviewed are much more comfortable interacting with me and truly being their authentic selves!
why it works
When the person being interviewed is looking directly at the camera lens, It immediately builds trust and confidence for the viewer, it also conveys authenticity! When I position myself directly behind the camera lens, and engage the person authentically, we can have a normal conversation that ultimately converts into good quality video that not only engages the viewer, but ultimately communicates our desired communication efficiently.
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