Basics for audio, video interviews

While at the NewsTrain conference in Seattle in February, Wayne Lynch, the news director at Northwest Cable News in Seattle, gave a few quick tips about how to conduct those interviews specifically for the Web. By the way, the link will take you to a video that describes most of these tips and features a cameo appearance by yours truly. For those of you who just want to read the tips, here they are:

1. Follow the KASS method for the Web - Keep all sound short.

2. 2-3 minute interviews MAX. Get it, get out, post. Talk first before you shoot or gather audio.

3. Avoid officials. Get real people. Viewers relate to them better.

4. Frame your questions to get to the point.

5. Ask for specific info. For example, you would ask: "In simple terms, tell what happened" ... or "Take us through the story point by point" ... or "Please answer this one key question ..."

6. Always ask, "What's the next step?"

Coaching people through an interview

1. Make sure the subject does not look directly into the camera. Use a tripod. Get 3/4s of face. 

2. Ask the interviewee to look at you.

3. Set the camera to your side to frame the shot. Set the camera at eyeball level.

4. Capture striking visuals in the environment. Shoot lots of B-roll.

5. Shoot in sequence - wide, medium and tight shots, every shot, for seven-10 seconds. Set up the tripod.

6. Look for natural sound in 2-3 second pops. Use it as an attention getter. It's a good idea to open with natural sound and then intersperse it through the story.

7. Get sharp sound and stellar shots. Give guidelines to the shooter: What do we want with this video?

TV Delivery Basics:

1. Be prepared.

2. Be conversational. Relate politics to the viewers. Smile. Stay on camera. Look at the lens as a person.

3. Use gestures.

4. Make eye contact. Talk to people.

5. Use everyday language.

6. Use visual expressions. Adjectives are OK.

7. Avoid dragging out your thoughts. Give tight answers. 

8. Don't say too much. Make three key points.

Also:

Practice correct breathing.

Do your homework.

Visualize your success.

When stumped, deflect.