Interview recording techniques from Dave Savage
Memory Keepers ♦ Family Story Videographer 
cell 404 323-8686  dave@davesavage.com   www.davesavage.com

If there is just an interviewee and interviewer without a camera operator:
Place interviewers chair 5-6 feet in front of interviewee’s chair.
Place the camera behind and over the shoulder of the interviewer so the lens is just a few inches from the interviewers head.
You want the interviewee to look into the camera

If there is just an interviewee and interviewer with a camera operator:
Place the camera 5-8 feet from the subjects.
Position the camera height at the level of the camera operator who should sit next to or behind the camera.
   Otherwise the subjects will tend to look at the operator who may be standing.

If there are multiple interview subjects:
Place the comfortable seating in a V or curved formation so that that subjects can both speak to each other and to the camera

As much as possible, turn of any mechanical sounds in the room such as dishwashers, fans, crowd conversations and A/C vents that create annoying noise on the recording.  The camera will pick up and amplify all sounds and can’t focus attention in one direction. (unless you have a shotgun microphone)

Bounce a light off the ceiling to get an even light, even during the day.  Clouds going by and sun setting will diminish the quality of the pictures.

Give the interviewer and the interviewee a pad of paper and pencil to write passing thoughts for later subjects and not get side tracked.

A great way to have an unstructured sharing of stories. with large number of people, is to have folks bring their boxes and albums of old family photos.
Set up an easel to show each picture and have folks tell about the people and stories behind the pictures.  Get a pointer to show who and what they are talking about in the photo.  Be sure to start the video with a welcome /orientation to the recording occasion and an intro to the folks who will be commenting on the pictures.
Have folks sit near the camera to get better sound quality

First questions
Full name / nick names   - who picked your name, how did you get the nick name.  Do you like your name?   Is there another name you’d prefer?
let the tape run for 10 seconds for a leader
do a verbal introduction for the tape that includes:
  Who will be seen and heard on the tape have everyone make a appearance on the tape, Where are you doing the interview. The date of the interview, The
   occasion of the interview, The subjects you hope to cover during the interview. 

If it is a family gathering, have a number of side chairs lined up in a slight curve.  Different sets and groupings can sit next to each other to tell their unique stories.  For the wider shots of groups of folks, turn off the camera and move the camera back to get in all of the chairs.

Do as many close up shots as you can.
MOVE THE CAMERA Very SLOWLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND WHEN ZOOMING THE LENS FROM WIDE ANGLE TO CLOSE UP.
Think of how the cameras move on TV interview shows

At the end of the tape make a few concluding remarks to end the tape. 
Push the fade button, wait a few seconds after the end of the conversation, before turning off the recording.
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Start the interview with very easy and basic information,   IE  What is your full name?  When and where were you born. Etc.

Supplies
3 Note pads 
Pens/pencils
Post it notes for audience to give interviewer notes and questions quietly
List of questions
Camera
Tripod
TV monitor & cables so the interviewer and visitors can see what is being recorded
Box of tissues for tears
Glass of water at hand for interviewer and interviewee
extension cord
Cool white spiral florescent lights.