Advice on creating your video
Interview recording techniques from Dave Savage
Memory Keepers ♦ Family Story Videographer
cell 404 323-8686 dave@davesavage.com www.davesavage.com
August 28th 2016 Show done on AM 1160 - Homestead Hospice host Lin Tatum 50 min.
https://soundcloud.com/newstalk1160/better-living-082816?in=newstalk1160/sets/better-living
Also listen to the radio show interviews we've done about sharing and recording family stories
My wife Beverly Molander has her own radio show whee she interviews people who make a difference and serve others in various ways.. All of her shows are at unity.fm/program/AffirmativePrayer
July 11 2016
How can you make the most of your family reunion?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_071116
June 13th
Do you know how to plan a memorial service for a loved one?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_061316
March 14th 2016
Why would anyone want to plan a memorial service way in advance?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_031416
Nov. 2nd 2015
How can you preserve Your family Memories? Record with video while you can?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_110215
Some suggestions for creating better family story records:
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 refrigerators(unplug if possible), 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.
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. Also add the occasion of the gathering, often it's a special event.
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 taperecording run for 3 seconds before you start speaking to make it easier for later editing.
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.
Have a mix of close up and wide shots. Have any camera movements and zooming in and out done slowly
Notice how the cameras move and zoom 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.
Start the interview with very easy and basic information, IE What is your full name? When and where were you born. Etc.
Supplies to have available.
Note pads
Pens/pencils
Post it notes for audience to give interviewer notes and questions quietly
List of questions
Camera
Tripod
Box of tissues for tears
Glasses of water at hand for interviewer and interviewee
Extension cords as needed to locate lights and camera as needed
Daylight spiral florescent light bulbs.in enough ligh fixtures to give an proper lighting.
Memory Keepers ♦ Family Story Videographer
cell 404 323-8686 dave@davesavage.com www.davesavage.com
August 28th 2016 Show done on AM 1160 - Homestead Hospice host Lin Tatum 50 min.
https://soundcloud.com/newstalk1160/better-living-082816?in=newstalk1160/sets/better-living
Also listen to the radio show interviews we've done about sharing and recording family stories
My wife Beverly Molander has her own radio show whee she interviews people who make a difference and serve others in various ways.. All of her shows are at unity.fm/program/AffirmativePrayer
July 11 2016
How can you make the most of your family reunion?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_071116
June 13th
Do you know how to plan a memorial service for a loved one?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_061316
March 14th 2016
Why would anyone want to plan a memorial service way in advance?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_031416
Nov. 2nd 2015
How can you preserve Your family Memories? Record with video while you can?
unity.fm/episode/AffirmativePrayer_110215
Some suggestions for creating better family story records:
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 refrigerators(unplug if possible), 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.
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. Also add the occasion of the gathering, often it's a special event.
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 taperecording run for 3 seconds before you start speaking to make it easier for later editing.
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.
Have a mix of close up and wide shots. Have any camera movements and zooming in and out done slowly
Notice how the cameras move and zoom 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.
Start the interview with very easy and basic information, IE What is your full name? When and where were you born. Etc.
Supplies to have available.
Note pads
Pens/pencils
Post it notes for audience to give interviewer notes and questions quietly
List of questions
Camera
Tripod
Box of tissues for tears
Glasses of water at hand for interviewer and interviewee
Extension cords as needed to locate lights and camera as needed
Daylight spiral florescent light bulbs.in enough ligh fixtures to give an proper lighting.