Making a Video

Checklist of items you will need...

Setting Up

Where possible, set up to shoot in a quiet room or corner of a room, as background noise levels can make speech hard to hear.

The use of an external microphone will help to boost the sound of the speaker and reduce background noise.

If using a clip or 'lapel' microphone check they will not pick up rustles from people's clothes as they speak or sign. If using a hand help microphone be sure to keep this close to whoever is speaking. Use the headphones to check.

Set the tripod so that the video camera lens is at the same height as the eye level of the interviewee.

Remove batteries from microphones after use or they will go flat quickly.

A link to a TV monitor gives you instant feedback. Ensure the people being filmed cannot see the monitor as this will probably distract them.

Be mindful of trailing wires that people can trip over.

Shooting

Shoot a test and use the headphones regularly to check the sound is being recorded.

A hand held microphone can help as a 'cue' to reinforce interview techniques as we point it towards whoever is due to speak next.

Remember to let people know when you are recording it is useful to count in or call 'Action!'.

Sit down at the side of the camera to film. If people look to you for direction whilst they are being filmed you are at the same eye level as them. Keep close to the camera.

Light exposure/Back light - if there is a window behind the people being filmed they may appear in silhouette. Either set the camera manually to avoid this or reposition to compensate.

General Tips for Interviewing

Give people silent encouragement such as nods, thumbs up sign etc. Remember, any verbal encouragement will be recorded onto your video.

Give people time to ask and answer questions.

Leave camera running to witness communication between pairs.

Ask open ended questions rather than questions that are too suggestive. If you give an interviewee the chance to answer yes or no - then that is all you will get of them on video!