On The Day

Introduce Yourself - Introduce yourself to the room, briefly describe your project, what you're looking to do and intended output for the video. Be friendly and approachable. 

Permission - Be sure to check in with any project leader or group coordinator if anyone has expressed a desire not to be included in filming. Sometimes it's possible to request they reside in a particular area of the space so as not to be in shot. 

Be Sensitive - Depending on the context or content, some participants will be very comfortable on camera, others will shy away. Be sensitive to individual spatial preferences. Utilise zoom lenses as much as possible in these contexts so as not to interfere with the content. 

Participate - Sometimes it's possible to participate in introductory or closing discussions, etc. Sometimes a small amount of participation with the group, even vocal feedback as an observer can integrate you into the group helping them to feel comfortable with your presence as a videographer. This wont be appropriate for every context, but where it is it can be helpful. 

Filming Interviews

Framing - Most single person interviews utilise the 'Rule of Thirds' composition at a 3/4 Front horizontal angle and at the 'Eye Ranking' vertical angle.   This composition allows for a relaxed engagement with the subject and keeps the audience one their level emotionally and intellectually. 

Separate your subject from the background to create depth to the scene and avoid the 'White Wall' where possible. 

Keep background elements tidy and choose your angles carefully. 

Direct their eye-line across the empty space in your shot, standing at this side of the camera and directing them to talk to you can help with this. If they're not comfortable with prolonged eye contact, not everyone is, direct them to look at the side of the camera, or even your ear. Ask them not to look into the lens. 

Two person or small group interviews can also be utilised in order to save time when filming or to assist interviewees who may be nervous on their own.

Be careful inerviewing larger groups unless you have a suitable audio set up to support this.  

Prepare Your Interviewee - I always begin my interviews with a clear description of what I'm doing, describing how much of them is in frame and directing them where to look. I ask them to leave a pause after I've asked my question and after they finish to allow me to cut out my voice and I tell them I won't interact verbally with them while they're answering. I direct them to answer my questions bearing in mind the question wont be heard by the audience. For example: 

Question: 'What was your favourite thing about the project' 

Answer: 'My favourite thing about the project was meeting lots of interesting people from all over the world' 

I also let them know that if they stumble their words or get flustered to just pause and repeat if needed as I can edit their answers during editing. 

Prepare Questions - Always prepare a couple of questions in advance to begin the conversation. Participants can have access to the questions in advance if needed, but encourage participants to prepare bullet points they'd like to cover in response, rather than full sentences or paragraphs to remember, as they often come across as rehearsed rather than natural. 

Repetition - Never be afraid to ask your interviewee to repeat an answer if they've maybe stumbled their words or rambled their way to their point. You can ask them to repeat their answer in a shorter form also. 

Interview Audio - Do your best to get your microphone as close to the interviewee as possible to ensure the best quality audio and to minimise any background noise. Ideally choose a quiet space, but sometimes this is not possible. 

Lavalier microphones are ideal for interview situations, but they can take time to set up. If you don't have the time to set up lavs, then shotgun or handheld microphones can be utilised. Wireless mics, handheld and shotgun mics can often be placed closer to interviewees using extension cables and mic stands or tripods. 

Light - If you have the time and the equipment, a small video light to brighten the face of the interviewee can really help to improve the look of the shot and balance the scene. Lights should be placed just above and around 3/4 round in relation to the face for the most flattering look. If you don't have access to an external light, be sure to position your subject in relation to a light source such as a window or internal light which illuminates the face. Avoid positioning your subject in front of bright light sources such as windows which can result in the face appearing dark or in sillouette. 

Camera Settings

Before you begin shooting, check the following:

1. Set your video Resolution and Frame Rate

2. Check your framing and composition - Take time to compose and level your shot. Remove any distracting or untidy elements if you can.

3. Check your image is exposed correctly - If lighting is subject to change, such as weather, light from windows or a changing theatre set up, exposure may need to be monitored and adjusted throughout. 

4. Check your image is in focus - Be mindful of movement which takes place forwards or backwards in relation to the camera. Camera focus may need to be monitored and adjusted throughout depending on the movement of your subject or camera. 

5. Check your audio levels - Play or rehearse any sound that will take place in advance of beginning filming. Ideally listen to the loudest and quietest sounds and try to find a level that suits as much as possible. If possible monitor via headphones throughout and adjust acordingly, if live monitoring is not possible, record a short section, then playback and listen through headphones. 

File Transfer & Charging

Depending on what device you're using, you may need to allow time in your schedule to transfer footage onto a computer or hard drive, or to charge your recording device. 

In addition it can be good to watch back some of the footage on the day to ensure you got what you need, that everything was exposed corrrectly, in focus, etc. It's not always easy to see this on smaller screens so transfer to a laptop or desktop computer can help clarify this on the day if needed.