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SHOOTING AND EDITING VIDEO FOR THE WEB

Part Three: The basics of shooting online news video

The art of the interview & the standup

The interview is the backbone of video news, whether this means interviewing the parent of a murder victim or asking an expert to explain global warming. Here's how to do them well:

  • Framing the shot - A typical beginner's mistake is to plunk the interview subject against the wall and put them into the center of your shot. Remember the rule of thirds.
    The Rule of Thirds urges us to place interview subjects off-center, to add visual interest. Note that Former Vice President Al Gore is placed closer to the intersection of the grid lines at the upper right. Gore is also placed away from the back wall, so that your eye benefits from the context of seeing him in an interesting setting.

 

  • Head room - You also want to frame your interview subject so that there is a bit of "air" between the top of the person's head and the top of the frame. The framing below gives Gore sufficient head room so that he can sit up straighter, if he chooses, without "bumping" against the top of the frame.

  • Nose room - Good framing also means giving the interview subject sufficient nose room, the space between the person's nose and the edge of the frame. In this shot, the yellow arrow shows us that you allow more nose room in the direction the person is facing.

  • Where to look - The rule of thumb is that anchors and reporters look straight into the camera, while interview subjects look off to the side, roughly a three-quarters view. When you are interviewing someone from behind the camera, position you face where you want the person to look. Make sure you don't stand so far away from the camera that the interview subject turns his head sideways (avoid the dreaded ear shot).

 

  • Don't forget to watch those backgrounds - The greyish blob behind Al Gore is almost an annoying distraction. (Thank goodness is it not growing out of his ear.) Make sure to check backgrounds through the eyepiece of the camera before you start to shoot.

  • Sound issues - We learned about the best microphones for interviews on the previous page. Another concern, however, is that you do not want your voice and the subject's voice to overlap. You can coach the person in advance or wait to see if it becomes a problem. In editing, you will often want to include the subject's answer but not your question, so overlapping the two voices can make the sound bite unusable. Another bit of advice is to remember to remain silent. Nod to show you are engaged, but don't talk. The microphone can also pick up your breathing if you sit too close.

  • What to wear - Interview subjects may ask your advice on what to wear, and you may need to appear on camera yourself for a standup.
    • Avoid white (choose blue instead), since it can produce a distracting glow.
    • Avoid stripes and bold patterns - They can distort into what is called a moire pattern that will annoy viewers.
    • Remove glasses - if you do not regularly wear them. Keep them on if you always wear them.
    • Remove jangly (noise) or sparkly (flare) jewelry.

  • Titling for the Web - The titles identifying Al Gore are just on the edge of being illegible. Remember that the Web is smaller and less crisp than broadcast TV.

Producing your own standup

There will be times when you want to appear in front of the camera, as narrator or conducting an interview. Most of today's camcorders have a side screen that can be flipped so that you can see yourself, so that you can position yourself properly in front of the lens.

In addition to following all of the advice above, remember that scripting for video is not the same as writing for print. For advice, click here to learn more about scripting narration.

Part Three: The basics of online news video - Tech stuff

Shooting and Editing Video for the Web

Part One: Exploring news ways to tell stories online

Part Two: Building a plan to produce news video for the Web

Part Three: The basics of online news video
    - Shots & sequences
    - Lighting
    - Basic composition
    - Audio matters
    - Shooting interviews & standups
    - Tech stuff

Part Four: Editing

Online video on a budget

Part One: The camera

Part Two: Accessories

Part Three: Editing software

Part Four: Posting on the Web

 

Bonnie Bucqueroux teaches digital jouralism at Michigan State University's School of Journalism and is a self-described Web geek.