A series of tips on what to avoid and how to get the best out of an on-camera interview for TV. Written for journalism students preparing for a career in broadcasting.

1. Image courtesy of opendays.eu via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
THE INTERVIEW
On-camera tips

2. The on-camera interview
Get the lighting right Avoid wash out
 Lighting and external
noise control are
some of the most
important factors
when selecting an
interview location
 It’s important to
ensure the interview
is shot in the best
light Image courtesy of mberry via Flickr released under
Creative Commons
@helpingmedia

3. The on-camera interview
Get the positioning right Remove barriers
 Don’t feel the need or
obligation to place the
person behind his or
her desk.
 By removing it as a
protective barrier and a
symbol of power, you’ll
see the difference in his
or her demeanour and
attitude Image courtesy of Patrick Q via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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4. The on-camera interview
Check the background The right environment
 Avoid shooting
situations where there’s
a flat surface within two
meters behind the
interviewee
 It gives the viewers a
feeling of confinement –
they want to know
where they are in the
environment
Image courtesy of Cherry Crimson via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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5. The on-camera interview
Pick the right position A relaxed pose
 There’s no rule that says
every person you’re
interviewing needs to be
sitting in a chair.
 Ask them to lean or sit
partially on a desk or other
piece of furniture.
 It will put them in a more
relaxed and casual state of
mind
Image courtesy of Blackangel via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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6. The on-camera interview
Keep contrast in mind Avoid silhouettes
 Take advantage of
background colours,
shades and light levels to
enhance the contrast of
the picture
 For example, someone
with dark skin, hair or
clothing may photograph
better if the background is
also darker
 Too much contrast makes
the camera very unhappy
Image courtesy of –mrsraggle- via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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7. The on-camera interview
Limit movement Avoid spin
 Never allow them to sit
in a chair that has
wheels, that can swivel
or that can rock
 Nervousness will show
in telltale movement of
the chair and could
disrupt the flow of the
interview
Image courtesy of MexBeadyEyes via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
@helpingmedia

8. The on-camera interview
Prevent fiddling Remove distractions
 Remove any items
from within reach of
the person – items
that he or she could
pick up and fiddle with
during an interview
 Again, it suggests to
the viewer that the Image courtesy of JeffDoe via Flickr
person is nervous released under Creative Commons
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9. The on-camera interview
Hands free Tea before or after
 Don’t allow them to be
holding anything in their
hands during the interview,
such as a pen, their
glasses, coffee or a
cigarette
 (Except when there is an
overriding reason for it –
as in a demonstration or a
story about coffee,
cigarettes, smoking, etc.)
Image courtesy of PiddleVille via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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10. The on-camera interview
Keep documents out of reach No referring to notes
 If they want to have notes,
books, files or documents
in front of them to which
they can refer, politely ask
them to put them
somewhere out of reach
 Be prepared to stop the
interview so that they can
check notes
 However, it’s best if you tell
them to speak only about Image courtesy of Luz via Flickr
what they know released under Creative Commons
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11. The on-camera interview
Best use of available light Lighting options are good
 If the photographer has
only one portable light,
allow him or her to use
the main light from a
window to light the
subject’s face and the
portable light to act as a
backlight or hair light
 It’s always worth having
lighting options on hand Image courtesy of Tomas.Quinones via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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12. The on-camera interview
Rearrange background items Interior design skills
 Don’t be afraid to
open or close drapes
or shades, move
furniture or remove
items from the walls
or from flat surfaces
to enhance the
composition and Image courtesy of Anderson Mancini via Flickr
lighting of the picture released under Creative Commons
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13. The on-camera interview
Avoid reflections Important to see the eyes
 If the person is comfortable
doing the interview without
wearing glasses, consider
doing that.
 It will prevent reflection
and glare problems during
the interview.
 No matter how well the
photographer plans the
picture, light will probably
reflect off the glasses and Image courtesy of ImageMD via Flickr
into the camera lens released under Creative Commons
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14. The on-camera interview
Limit distractions Do not disturb
 Turn off mobile phones,
unplug or turn off regular
phones, turn off anything that
can generate any sounds
 Be aware of pets in adjoining
rooms or activities outside
windows.
 If there are workers outside
ask them to take a break
during the interview.
 If children are playing outside,
find a way to encourage them
to play somewhere else
Image courtesy of The Facey Family via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
@helpingmedia

15. The on-camera interview
Place warnings Polite signs
 If you can, put a note
on any doors that
lead to your interview
location.
 “Shhh. We are
conducting an
interview.
 Please come back
later? Thanks!” Image courtesy of DR.ZVLV via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
@helpingmedia

16. The on-camera interview
More than three is a crowd No overcrowding
 The optimum number of
people in the room or on the
scene outdoors for an
interview is three
 the person you’re
interviewing, the
photographer and you
 Do not allow anyone else to
be in the room of near the
outdoor interview
 If the person you’re
interviewing sees other eyes, Image courtesy of Frangipani Photograph via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
he or she will be distracted
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17. The on-camera interview
Create a natural environment No manipulation
 Avoid coaching the person
before the interview.
 The only thing you need to
say is that they should not
look at the camera – they
should be talking to you.
 Avoid the “actor” or
“performer” situation which
may create fear and anxiety.
 Hone your own interviewing
skills so that you can elicit
complete sentences and
Image courtesy of Louish Pixel via Flickr
complete thoughts released under Creative Commons
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18. The on-camera interview
Basic housekeeping Neat and tidy
 At the end of the interview,
make certain that you put
everything back where it was
 Return shades or curtains to
their original positions
 Wipe down any surfaces you
might have soiled, pick up
any tape wrappers or other
debris and return the location
to exactly as it was before
you invaded with your
intrusive equipment
Image courtesy of gusset via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
@helpingmedia

19. The on-camera interview
Say thanks And mean it
 No matter how
unhappy you were
with the interview,
tell the person that
he or she did a great
job and thank them
from your heart
Image courtesy of vernhart via Flickr
released under Creative Commons
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20. The on-camera interview
Acknowledgement Don Ray
 Using material from a
training module by
Don Ray on Media
Helping Media
 Don can be contacted
for training work at
donray@donray.com
http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/
Image courtesy of Don Ray
@helpingmedia

21. On-camera interview tips
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