Planning a video interview? Read this guide to video interview basics…

Interviewing someone for a video may sound daunting, but with the right tools and basic preparation, you can capture high-quality footage that will lead to an awesome piece of video content.

And employee interviews are a great place to start when creating employer branding, talent acquisition, and recruitment marketing video content.

Interview footage showcasing everyone from the summer intern to the CEO can be cut up and re-purposed in a variety of ways, to show off company culture, spotlight employees, illustrate job descriptions, onboard new hires, or give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work at your organization.

So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner, this guide will walk you through the essentials of filming an interview, ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle the task.

Essential Equipment for Filming an Interview

1. Camera

The most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a camera.

Ideally, you should use two cameras to capture different angles of your interviewee.

However, using just one camera is perfectly fine, and in many cases, your smartphone can serve as a high-quality video recording device.

2. Light Source

Good lighting is crucial for a professional-looking interview.

Natural light is ideal, so if you have access to a large window, use it to your advantage.

If natural light is not an option, use room lights or any available light sources to ensure your subject is well-lit.

3. Microphone

Clear audio is just as important as good video quality.

A shotgun mic is a great choice for interviews, but any microphone you have will work.

Make sure to minimize background noise to capture the best possible sound quality.

Preparing for the Interview

Brief Your Interviewee

One of the most critical aspects of filming an interview is preparing your interviewee.

Provide them with the questions you plan to ask a few hours or even the night before the interview.

This preparation helps them feel more comfortable and ready to give thoughtful responses.

Run of Show

Give your interviewee a rundown of how the interview will proceed.

Explain the flow of the day, the structure of the interview, and the estimated time it will take.

Knowing what to expect will help them feel more at ease.

Filming Tips for a Successful Interview

Ask the Question and Answer

Encourage your interviewee to restate the question in their answer.

For example, if you ask, “What inspired you to start your business?” they should respond with, “What inspired me to start my business was…”.

This technique makes the interview more coherent and easier to edit.

Don’t Interrupt

Once your subject starts answering, avoid interrupting them. Quietly nod to show your engagement, but avoid the “mhmmm”‘ kind of response you might usually use in conversation.

Let them speak thoroughly and freely to provide the best possible answers.

If there are time constraints, discuss them during the briefing to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Backup Your Footage

After wrapping up the filming, immediately back up your footage.

Use an external hard drive, your computer, or an SSD to store the video files.

This step is crucial to prevent any data loss before you proceed to the editing phase.

Uploading Your Footage to EditMate

Once you’ve backed up your footage, upload it to EditMate for professional editing.

We will take your raw footage and turn it into a polished, final product, ready for sharing across all of your internal, external and social channels.

Conclusion: Video Interview Basics

Filming an interview doesn’t have to be complicated.

With the right equipment, thorough preparation, and attention to detail, you can create engaging and professional interviews.

If you found this guide helpful, subscribe to stay updated with more video production tips.

From all of us at EditMate, happy filming!