How To Record The Best Video Interview

How To Be A Good Interviewer

Listen! Listening is the key to any good interview whether it be audio or video. I can detect in audio interviews whether the interviewer is really listening or checking their email. On video it will be apparent whether you are listening intently or not. Be focused and alert.

Plan ahead of time.

1. Questions – is there something the guest would like you to ask them about?
2. Location – will it be quiet around you? Turn off your tweetdeck beeps!
3. Background – do you need to angle your webcam a different way? Will something behind the guest give them authority or make them look funny?
4. Lighting – is there light on your face and your guest’s face, not just behind you?
5. Clothes – it might be okay to just dress up on the top half, but be very careful. You only get one shot at the interview and you don’t want to accidently show your pajamas.

Frame

If your interview is through webcam you will want the basic head and shoulders shot. Look at the camera for the majority of the time instead of the screen.
If you are doing the interview live and you are lucky enough to have a camera person ask them to zoom in on the guest for a bit before going back out to include both of you in the screen.
For the introduction you will want to look at your audience, in other words – the camera. During the meat of the interview you will look at each other because you are listening, remember? It is nicer to stand at a slight angle so the camera sees both eyes instead of just one. At the end, ask the guest to tell the audience [the camera] their information.

Know this: You can’t always control the environment around an interview. Sometimes you just need to record when you get the chance. When I filmed the interview with Janice and Kevin Carroll it was spur of the moment with a camera I pulled out of my bag. I couldn’t do anything about lights or background noise. I don’t regret doing it at all.

Places to find more about this topic:

There is some more great information about video interviews at MediaCollege.com.
Rachel Ryan wrote a post for Ask the Headhunter titled 8 Tips For Successful Video Interviews. It is geared toward the person being interviewed but application can certainly be made to the interviewer.
Video Production Tips talks about How To Make Your Subject More Comfortable.