Tips for an interview

Completing an interview isn't always such an easy task. These five tips will help an interview go over smoothly.

1. Research about your interviewee and the topic. For example if you are interviewing a football player, research the team, stats, positions or things specific to the individual. You don't want to make yourself look like you don't know what you are talking about. 

2.   Prepare your set before the interviewee arrives. Make sure your set, lighting, supplies and camera                               are all ready to go. It's awkward for the interviewee to stand and watch you set up. 

3. During the interview it is okay to deviate from your pre made questions list. If you think of any additional questions as you go, just ask it. Any clarifying questions may be helpful for you to develop the story. 

4. Make sure you always always always have the interviewee restate the question. Even if this means stopping the interview to re-ask the question. The video will sound better if they restate the question.

5. Make sure the interviewee feels comfortable in the interview. Having a chair on set will help. Ask some basic warm up questions before asking about a touchy subject. Making the interview feel like a conversation will make them less nervous overall. 

BONUS TIP 

Wait a couple seconds after they answer the question. This will be easier to edit if the sound bites are easily identified. Interrupting the interviewee (besides from being rude) makes it harder to edit. 

EXTRA BONUS TIP

Let the interviewee read the pre made questions before you ask them, this way they have some idea of what the interview is about and how to respond to the questions. If not their answers might be shorter and more choppy than if they have background information.