You know those interview/testimonial videos where you can’t hear anything? Or see anything because it’s too dark or super pixelated? Or that are just really distracting because it’s on a train track or something?
Those videos suck.
Wether you’re using your iPhone or professional video equipment, an important factor you can control to improve quality of your video is the location. When choosing the best interview spot for the shot, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Reduce Noise
Reducing “noise” – both audible and visual – is key in finding a great interview spot. Make sure to choose a place that is relatively quiet without a ton of loud activities occurring around it. This will make it more difficult to hear the subject, which is the entire point of the video.
Also, a shot with a ton of visual “noise” – random objects, people walking in and out of frame a bunch, piles of trash in the corner – is distracting to viewers and should be avoided. You want people to be fully engaged with your video content, and distractions could draw them away from the message you are trying to convey..
We know sometimes it’s unavoidable to shoot in a noisy area – like when you’re shooting interviews at a horse stable – and in that case, you would turn to some quality audio equipment, and a whole lot of patience, to help out.
Light it Up
When picking a location for an interview, try to find an area where you have some control over lighting.
Indoors: Rooms should have shades over the windows in case of harsh sunlight, and you should have the ability to turn off any overhead lighting.
Outdoors: Consider shooting during the “Golden Hour” – either the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset – when sunlight is more soft. This could prevent harsh shadows on the subject from direct sunlight. If you can’t shoot during that time, an overcast day works great as well!
Lighting is a huge reason we LOVE shooting in our new studio. Complete control of lighting makes for a beautiful shot, like this one of Kelly:
Choose a Space with Options
The best interview locations are spacious areas with plenty of options for various angles and set-ups. Larger areas allow for a shallow depth of field – keeping the subject in focus with the background blurred. You don’t want a massive, echoey room, but there should be enough space for your entire set-up and team.
You also want the ability to change set-ups, especially if you’re interviewing multiple people in the same video. Changing angles keeps the viewer engaged and allows for a more dynamic flow.
These three simple things can drastically affect the quality of your video interviews, and keeping them in mind during pre-production can ensure your final product is stellar. Picking the right location with minimal “noise,” controlled lighting, and plenty of room for options can truly take your interviews to the next level.
Want to work with us on your next testimonial video or use our studio space for an interview? Hit us up!