Pre-Production

It all begins with pre-production. Steinbeck coined the phrase: ‘begin with the end in mind’. Planning precisely in this stage will provide a strong base. This includes the main aim and theme of the video production, scheduling filming dates, location scouting, and other key elements.

Develop a script

Developing an engaging script is a must for pre-production. Without a well-crafted script, filming and editing can be poor and interviews can become irrelevant.

Writing an effective script starts with making sure all questions are relevant to the project goals. Plus, make sure scripting provides natural conversation instead of sharp transitions.

Source from research or conversations when constructing questions. This ensures the structure of each question is smooth for a better quality video.

Confirm language standards ahead of time. Make sure any organizations or political activists adhere to specific requirements.

Create a storyboard with visuals. This helps viewers identify when the conversation moves between topics. This also guides editors and is helpful during filming as it lays out what shots will be taken.

Choose a filming location

When it comes to planning a film production, deciding on the filming location is key. It contributes to the look and feel of the video. But, there are many factors to consider when choosing.

Assess the relevance and suitability of each location. Does it fit with the narrative? Will it remain secure? Is there enough space for equipment? Choose something visually stunning, easy to access and unobtrusive.

Go for locations close in proximity. Have backup options for bad weather. Avoid remaking a location; use real people in context. This will make scenes more believable and stronger connect them with their environment. Finally, bring GPS coordinates!

Select the right equipment

Selecting equipment for interviews is important. You must think about the environment and the subject. Professional interview productions include a camera, tripod, mic(s), audio recorder/mixer (if separate recording) and lighting.

For example, if it’s a well-lit room with no movement, a DSLR with a lavalier microphone will do. But if the subject moves around or is in front of a light source, an ENG camera with XLR inputs and lighting is better.

No matter how basic or complex the video production is, it is important to select gear that allows for great quality capturing.

Production

Production is crucial for a successful interview video. This involves finding the perfect talent, places and props – plus making the necessary arrangements for the shoot. It also consists of arranging the shots, setting up lights, and audio equipment – with a production team that includes a director and cameramen.

In this section, let’s learn the basics of production for an interview video.

Set up the interview

Producing a successful interview video needs careful focus on the shooting area and framing the subject. Whether it’s for a documentary, commercial, or other video production, three key elements are background, lighting, and camera positioning.

Background: Pick a backdrop that adds context & sets the tone for the interview. Keep away from chaotic scenery that will be distracting or make it hard to concentrate on the subject.

Lighting: Natural light is great in sunny days, but dodge direct sunlight which can make harsh shadows. On cloudy days or indoors, use artificial light that can be put in the right spot so there are no reflections on the subject’s face.

Camera Positioning: Frame the shot to fit the 4×3 standards for television broadcast without sacrificing the background you want in the shot. To make sure facial details stay clear and professional, cut off slightly above the subject’s forehead, unless you’re using a close-up shot (like corporate headshots).

Record the interview

Recording interviews is key to making a great video. Choose a good mic and make sure it’s placed correctly. Before recording, turn off any appliances or other noise sources. When filming outdoors, be aware of environmental sounds like traffic or birds.

Consider the lighting – too much can cause blurring or shadowing on the face. If using multiple cameras, choose a wide angle lens for better depth-of-field. Good recording tech will ensure clear audio quality for your viewers.

Capture b-roll footage

B-roll footage is a major part of interview video production. It adds context, reveals the story, and evokes emotion. It captures natural moments and links ideas in odd and imaginative ways. Getting great b-roll is key for making a captivating narrative.

Be sure to get the right b-roll before you start interviewing. Think about what visuals you need before the shoot and take time on set to grab any extra footage. Try different perspectives to get unique content that adds texture and atmosphere to your video. Lastly, edit it! That’s what takes your production from good to great!

Post-Production

Filmed the interview? Great! Now it’s time for post-production. This is when you take the raw footage and start editing, grading, and adding music and sound effects.

To make a successful video, you’ll need to consider five main elements. Here’s what you need to know.

Edit the footage

Once footage has been captured, the next step is to edit. Edits are special art-forms. Professional editors use tricks to make interviewer’s words visually interesting. So, pick a few highlights and capture enough footage to have the power to shape your story.

Music can influence how viewers respond to video content. Think about what type of score fits the video project. It should fit the theme, emotion, and mood. Then, make transitions between sections smooth. Check for audio anomalies like pops and clicks. Lastly, adjust color grade if needed.

Add music and sound effects

Sound is an essential part of any video. It can make or break the production quality. Music and ambient sounds keep viewers engaged and provide an emotional depth.

For interviews, choose background music with a slower tempo. This allows for natural pauses and sets the tone. Sound effects emphasize points within the interview and add realism.

If you plan to add narration or vocalists, record professional audio in post-production. This will ensure viewers stay connected and engaged until the end!

Add graphics and titles

Once you have your raw footage, the post-production process of a successful interview video can start. This is when you turn all the work and preparation into a visually stunning and engaging piece. Post-production includes graphics and titles, editing, color grading, sound mixing, and exporting your finished product.

Graphics and Titles: Text gives an extra dimension to the video. Showing titles onscreen at certain points gives viewers more info without stopping the action. It’s important to understand how typefaces, shadows, and borders affect the video’s visuals.

Editing: For interview videos, tasks for editing may not be as long. But you still need to pay attention to cuts to make them look natural. It also lets you control pacing and storytelling by emphasizing certain aspects. Remove any unnecessary audio elements or dead air for a smooth flow before adding background music or SFX.

Color Grading: Color grading helps establish moods in pieces. Resetting contrast levels between shots gives more depth to the content. Subtle changes are important, or it can look overproduced. Most nonlinear editing suites come with built-in color grading tools.

Sound Mixing: Audio can make or break a production. Sloppy sound recordings can distract viewers. Hire someone else if you can, or research music libraries if you have no budget. Consider background ambience to promote emotion and heighten audience immersion.

Distribution

Video production is essential, but not the end of the journey. After it’s done, you must decide how to distribute your video. Have a plan in place!

This can help you get your video seen on various platforms, making sure it reaches its full potential. Maximize your reach and visibility!

Select the best platform for distribution

Choosing the correct platform for distributing your interview video is essential for gaining visibility and web traffic. Many companies currently use their website and social media channels for content distribution. When deciding where and how to share your video, consider the following:

-Reach: How far do you wish to reach? Different social media platforms offer different levels of exposure. To get maximum reach, upload your video on sites like YouTube, Vimeo or Dailymotion. However, sharing with a smaller group may be possible on your own website or a private platform (e.g. Wistia).

-Audience: Who are you targeting? Think about which groups may be interested in the content, and the platforms they usually use. For example, if you’re going for the teenage market, Instagram or Snapchat may be better than LinkedIn or Twitter.

-Engagement: What type of interaction do you want? Some platforms are useful for sharing, others for creating conversations (e.g., Twitter vs Facebook). Pick ones that best match your goal for the video – either educational or generating interest/sales.

-Content Format: Does the platform offer various video formats and sizes? Can it embed custom previews and thumbnails? Don’t forget about audio support! Vimeo Pro, for example, allows videos to be embedded for web use, mobiles and analog televisions – so everyone can watch it.

-Analytics: What reporting options does the platform have? Easy reportable platforms help track user engagement and time spent watching – so marketers can make wiser decisions based on real data instead of guesswork.

Optimize the video for SEO

Distribution needs optimization for search engine success. Before posting a video interview, research keywords to boost it’s ranking. Embed the keywords into the title, description and tags. This makes it easier to find when searching for topics.

Use the right tools when publishing on the web. Upload videos directly onto web pages. Don’t link to YouTube or other external platforms. Host the video on your own website for easy access and sharing.

Promote the video on social media

To maximize reach and impact, promote your interview video on social media. Ask everyone to share the video with their networks. Create event hashtags for viewers to interact and join conversations.

Once released, use influencers and micro-influencers who have a large presence in your target audience. Make sure their audience relates to your target market. Avoid collaborating with celebrities just for fame – the return might not be worth it.

Creating eye-catching content online is key. Use special techniques like sponsored ads, boosted posts or hashtag usage to attract leads. This allows you to humanize your brand and connect with people on a genuine level.

Measurement

Measuring video success is vital. It ensures your video reaches its target audience and delivers the right message.

There are numerous key elements to consider when measuring success. These include audience engagement, viewership, social media reach and lead generation.

This section focuses on why measurement is important and the key elements to take into account.

Track the video’s performance

Tracking the video’s performance is a must. Keep tabs on views, shares, clicks, and comments. It gives you an understanding of how well the message reached your audience.

Use A/B testing and heat mapping to get more info on viewer engagement. That helps you refine the message, and make sure it resonates.

Monitor the video’s impact before and after launch. On social media, and long-term. This way, you get maximum engagement and long-term success.

Monitor engagement metrics

Measure engagement metrics to understand how your video is resonating with viewers. Analyzing an interview video takes more than just the number of views. Monitor drop off points and re-watch rate. Drop off points show where viewers are paying attention or skipping. Re-watch rate is an indicator of content quality and enjoyment.

Are people responding to questions in the comments? This is great for sparking conversations around topics addressed in the interviews. Monitor interviews across social networks!

Analyze the results and adjust

Once you’re done with a successful video interview, the work isn’t over. To get the best return of investment, you need a data-driven assessment plan. Analyzing metrics like viewer retention rates, total watch time, bounce rates and percentage of completion will help you understand what worked.

Also, don’t forget to check out metrics from other sources, like social media engagement or website visits. Comparing these across all channels will help you see how each part of your promotion affected viewership.

Particularly, analyzing which segments did best can be useful when deciding which topics to fill future interviews with. If one 5 minute segment got more views, but then dropped off harshly at the 8-minute mark, then consider stopping further additions at that point, optimizing future videos for maximum viewership.

To summarize, tracking results from a video interview project doesn’t have to be daunting. With a tracking plan reviewable in an efficient way, you can tweak certain aspects for more success in future endeavors.