We film a lot of interviews and testimonial video content for our clients and they often ask “What are the interview filming practicalities I need to know about filming in my office?” While locations all differe, there are some key things we’ll need to make the shoot go smoothly. So here’s our quick FAQ guide to interview filming practicalities.
Our Guide to Interview Filming Practicalities
What room size should I book for filming?
We recommend a meeting space that accommodates a minimum of 8-10 individuals, allowing ample room to position the participant comfortably and arrange lighting accordingly. When considering interview filming styles, particularly those conducted off camera, ensuring a distance of about 2-3 meters between the interviewer and interviewee is crucial. Flexibility in the room’s furniture layout is advantageous. External windows may pose a challenge depending on weather conditions; cloudy skies with fluctuating sunlight can introduce variability in each shot. Therefore, having control over the lighting is preferable. Additionally, being able to deactivate the air conditioning in that room would be beneficial.
How much time does it take to get set up for corporate interview filming?
Sometimes it takes us nearly an hour to get access to where we are filming in some corporate buildings, from dropping the gear and parking, then getting through security and into the room.
Ideally, we’ll have at least an hour once we’re in the room, as it takes this long to pick the shots then assembles the lighting. This is why our call time is always two hours before the filming needs to start.
What is the average duration for filming an interview?
Typically, for a 3-minute film, our interview sessions run for about 20-30 minutes. Nevertheless, we allocate some additional time to ensure the contributor is comfortable, make lighting adjustments, and help them feel at ease. Additionally, we like to capture some B-Roll footage, which usually takes an extra 10-15 minutes. As a result, we advise our clients to inform the contributor that it will take an hour of their time in their schedule. This way, if the session concludes earlier, they perceive it as a bonus, gaining an extra ten minutes in their day!
What does B-Roll entail?
B-Roll constitutes extra footage capturing the contributor and the surroundings, which we later integrate with the main footage, as exemplified in this client testimonial reel. We allocate about 10-15 minutes to film with the client, ideally covering 5-6 diverse scenarios, like them engaging with their laptop, conversing with clients, or smiling at the camera. It’s optimal if the contributor interacts with others in various shots.
Typically, we use only a few seconds of each shot, but these snippets significantly enhance the final production.
When is it appropriate to film location scenes?
During the shoot, we usually carve out time to film location shots. These could encompass establishing shots of the building or capturing logos on the reception wall. Additionally, we record general office scenes without any specific individuals featured. It’s important to note that in shared buildings, where a company might lease only a floor, filming shots of shared areas may not be permissible.
Who needs to be informed about our filming plans?
Primarily, you should notify security and reception to facilitate access to the building. For certain companies, notifying the press and publicity teams is beneficial, as they prefer being informed about ongoing recordings. It’s crucial to inform the staff about the filming. Our recommendation includes sending an email to the relevant department where the filming will occur and displaying A4 posters on the premises. Individuals who prefer not to be filmed can inform us, and we’ll ensure they’re not captured on camera.
How should I plan the filming timeline?
An optimal schedule might look like this:
08:00 Arrival on site, gaining entry through reception and bringing our equipment into the building. If needed, parking the van and reaching the designated room.
09:00 Setting up the room with appropriate lighting.
10:00 Commencement of the first interview – then allowing a 40-minute interval between each interview, incorporating B-Roll.
13:00 Lunch Break
14:00 Resuming filming
16:00 Final interview
17:00 Concluding filming, removing equipment from the room
18:00 Returning to our base
When can we expect to review the edited footage?
This question is often one of the initial inquiries! The timeframe largely hinges on the interview type. Creating an initial sequence doesn’t take much time, and we can typically present that to you the following day. The overall editing duration depends on the number of individuals filmed and the urgency of the final product.
That covers the fundamental interview filming practicalities. Hopefully, this provides some clarity for the time and energy you need to invest!