Use a tripod. Not one in 10 has hands steady enough for handheld. If you must handhold, use the camcorder’s wide angle lens setting. Zooms and pans exaggerate all handshake. If you must zoom and pan, do so slowly. You may be able to get away with handheld shots of moving subjects, but stationary fixtures like trees, buildings, signs, fences, curbs, and parked cars exaggerate handshake.

Most video shoots include an interview (the A roll) and “atmosphere” shots (the B roll). Mess either up, and the video suffers. Sweat them both. If the interviewee is talking about cars, get some car footage. If she mentions "my grandson Harold," videotape that still photo of him on the mantle. Or better still, borrow the photo for the editor to scan.

Shoot at least 10 seconds of atmosphere for the opening credits. Then shoot an alternative 10 seconds or more of atmosphere for the opening; give your editor options.

Settle the interviewer and interviewee in the interview setting, ask them to smile and nod agreeingly, while you shoot various angles of both: just the interviewer, just the interviewee, wide angle and closeups of the two of them. (So your editor -- that's you tomorrow, remember -- will have potential breakaway shots at hand when -- not if -- required.)

 The bulk of interview footage should be a head and shoulder shot of the interviewee(s). No need to get too fancy here. You can zoom out to a two-shot for the interviewer’s question if you want, but each time you do you risk the zoom messing up the next shot (the answer).

Listen to the content of the interview, taking mental notes as best you can. The content of the interviewee's comments should become your B roll shot list. If you don’t listen, how will you know what B roll to shoot?

Overshoot your B roll. If the interview is five minutes long, try for 10 minutes of B roll footage. Some of your B roll footage won’t work for any number of reasons. Provide your editor with options.

Listen for, and if necessary ask about, agendas. The interviewee is probably passionate about one thing or another, and probably hopes you won’t go near some other subject. Be aware of such holy grails. If you can, follow the interviewee’s wishes. 

Light is your friend. Use it. Try to avoid shooting into the sun or into shadows. If you are shooting indoors, make sure there is enough light and keep it behind you.
 

Copyright 2006-2007 John Cardiff