Talking in front of a camera can be a great experience. How would you feel if we told you that this experience could be made even better?
As we traverse the land, taking interviews, making documentaries, and meeting interesting people, we noticed that our lovely subjects had one thing in common. They were camera conscious. While that is 100% normal, we all know that the best interviews don’t feel like interviews at all. They just feel like a conversation with a friend. So if you want to really connect with your audience, here are five ways in which you can get better than you already are at delivering in an interview.
It’s a Discussion
The key to giving a great interview is to keep it seamless. One way of achieving it is to treat us (those behind the camera) like a close acquaintance. This will not only make you more comfortable but also help you explain your points better.
Think of the interview as a friendly discussion. Speak from your heart and allow yourself to flow naturally. We look forward to having a genuine conversation with you.
Proceed at whatever pace you’re comfortable with, and you will find it much easier to add more to your answer.
Eye Contact
Our body language accounts for a large percentage of our communication skills. Steady eye contact indicates clarity in your thoughts and creates space for a healthy conversation. It also helps the audience to know that you are focused during the span of the interview.
Maintaining eye contact during the process will add to your confidence. It will allow you to be more proactive during the interview. This makes the whole experience more engaging for you and the viewers as well.
Be Flexible
You have complete control of your responses. Feel free to structure your answers in any way you feel comfortable. In the off-chance that you make a mistake, or frame your sentence incorrectly, you have the freedom to go back and alter the error. Don’t stress out or worry about the fumble.
It is our responsibility to make you look good in front of the camera. Believe in the magic of editing, and let us worry about bringing the clip together.
Give Context
It is but natural to not address the topic in discussion in your answer. However, a third party, who doesn’t have enough context, may not be able to follow it all the way through.
Therefore, try to incorporate names (such as names of your colleagues, project or company) in your responses. This will help engage the viewer and take away more from you.
Moreover, this helps in making your responses sound sharper and more precise.
Be Involved
Our aim is to capture your thoughts while you are your most genuine self. This only works if you and the interviewee are on the same page. As interviewees, we always do our research about our subjects so that we have a better understanding of their passions and motivations. So some research into the why the video is being made of how it is being documented may help you better prepare for it too.
If we happen to be the ones shooting your interview, you will have a lot less to worry about. Your comfort is a priority for LMB. So try to get involved in the process by letting us know if our team can make the process easier for you. It will help us ensure that you stay relaxed through the process.
We believe that these five pointers will assist you to glide through the interview with absolute ease while making sure that you are able to deliver a solid take at the same time.
In case you want to know how to look sharper for an interview, Click Here for another excellent compilation of tips and tricks.
If you would like to know more, why not reach out at [email protected]? We look forward to having a great conversation with you!
