Recorded Interview Techniques

For all of my filming I will be using my SLR, this means that the frame size will be consistent and always the same quality. The camera will be sat on a tripod to the right of where I am sat, with the band sat opposite me. The camera will not be dead center in order to try and give the shot more perspective and therefore meaning that the audience feels as if the band are talking to them. There will be a slight gap in between the two musicians (rule of thirds) so that it is not too cramped. One will be slightly further away from the camera than the other is, which means that the recording has some perspective. I am going to always use a tripod so that the camera is always stationary and means that the audience are part of the group rather than a mobile camera, which is always changing shot, would distract from the conversation. The interviews will take place with two members of the band rather than the full band – meaning that the shot is not overcrowded and that they are less likely to talk over each other.

            For sound I will be using a hotshoe mic – meaning that I don’t have to edit the sound with the video later on and therefore it will be of higher quality. The lens used will be a 28mm Wide Angle fixed zoom lens with no autofocus which allows me to frame the band more easily and record silently because the lens has no motor – and will not be constantly trying to focus. For my live and studio recordings I will be using an 18-55mm autofocus/zoom lens instead because I don’t have to think about the sound and also it gives me more range for the filming. For the interviews my aperture will be set to the largest (2.8) because the Auto ISO can darken it later – if I was to lighten it later there would be visible noise.

            The questions will be emailed to the bands before the interviews – allowing them to familiarize themselves with the questions and allowing them to prepare so that they at least have an idea of what they want to say. I will also carry a printed version of the questions for the bands to look over before hand if they need to.

            Each question will be asked in three different ways – with slight variations meaning that I am definitely going to get an answer for every question – and that it will be more in depth than just whatever sprang to mind when it was first asked. It also means that during the editing process I will be able to fit the answers together better – thus giving the documentary a better narrative style – or a more interesting snapshot into the Hull music scene.