Tips From the Pros on Conducting a Great Remote Interview

If there’s one thing Covid19 may have changed forever, it’s how we conduct interviews. In the past in-person interviews, whether for documentaries, behind-the-scenes, testimonials, or even employment opportunities, were the gold standard. But the pandemic changed all that. 

Online meeting platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and GoToMeeting, have seen a huge uptick in business in 2020. But while they’re great for everyday meetings, they’re severely lacking in quality. And that makes them poor substitutes for traditional on-camera interviews, despite them being used time and time again as a video production tool (and even more frequently during the 2020 pandemic).  

Filming Tips

Cinebody is an innovative solution that allows you to capture high-quality footage using just your smartphone and the app. You don’t have to worry about a poor or unreliable internet connection that can play havoc with live streaming, or patchy and glitch-filled recordings, and you don’t even need to be in the same room, city, or country to get what you need.

With a video conferencing platform like Zoom, you can patch in and use it to provide direction to the interviewees. But you use Cinebody to capture that high-quality footage you need. And you can still have complete control of the aesthetic, with Cinebody also allowing you to review footage on the fly and give feedback. 

Eager to give it a try on your next project? Well, we asked Cinebody pros - Allie Meikle (Producer/Project Manager, Lumenati), Brad Conner (Director, Lumenati) and Jesse Borrell (Director, NoCoast) - about their experiences with remote interviews, and what advice they could give you to make yours shine. 

1.How to Conduct an Interview Successfully

When it comes to conducting remote interviews, the experts at Cinebody suggest a combination of techniques to ensure a seamless experience. Let's explore their recommendations.

Utilize Cinebody for Off-Camera Angles

“In most scenarios we would use Cinebody as the off-camera angle, and we would use a separate tablet through Zoom to hold eye contact for the interviews.” - Jesse Borrel

Establish Rapport through Live Interviews

“I have found that conducting “live” interviews can be a great way to capture your narrative. By being on zoom or facetime I can, as  a director, really guide the interview where I want it to go. I can also establish a rapport and break down that self-conscious barrier when it exists. - Brad Conner

Leverage Cinebody for High-Quality Recordings

“We have participants record themselves on Cinebody during the interview. The recording happens with the phone’s native camera – it doesn’t rely on an internet connection, eliminating the possibility of glitchy, low res recordings. This assures high-quality content that we know can be used in the final edit.” - Allie Meikle

2. What About Lighting and Framing the Scene?

Creating an aesthetically pleasing scene is crucial for remote interviews. The experts at Cinebody share their insights on lighting and framing:

Optimize Lighting for Ideal Results

“Cinebody allows us to technically and creatively direct the interviewee for optimal results. Before we roll on the interview, we direct the user to set-up their phone with the best possible lighting and audio and do a quick test clip for quality control that we’re able to review immediately.” -  Allie Meikle

Meticulously Set the Scene

“Make sure to set your scene as meticulously as possible before recording and diving into your questions. The last thing you want is to get a passionate and authentic response only to review the footage and find that the AC is overpowering your subject's voice and forcing them to re-record.”  - Brad Conner

“We actually filmed 5-10 second test clips before starting the actual interview, so we were able to review the framing and lighting beforehand.” - Jesse Borrel

3. Is There Anything Else That Should Be Done Before Filming?

Prioritize Lighting for Your Interview Subject

Jesse Borrell emphasizes the importance of lighting the interview subject to the best of your ability. While natural fill light from a window can be sufficient, enhancing interior locations with 16" ring lights can add a sparkle to the subject's eyes. Leveraging the high-quality 4k capabilities of most iPhones combined with Cinebody simplifies the recording process from start to finish.

 Enhance Audio with Microphones

Brad Conner recommends using inexpensive iPhone lavalier microphones to significantly improve audio quality. Shipping such gear to participants has become more accessible than ever, and it can be easily plugged into their phones. Alternatively, using AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones can also capture better audio, provided you don't mind the "raw" look.

4. What's the Best Procedure for Reviewing Footage?

Efficiently reviewing the footage is crucial to ensure a successful remote interview. The professionals at Cinebody offer the following insights:

Real-Time Access for Collaborative Review

“All the interview footage is also automatically uploaded to the project for immediate access, and can be reviewed in real-time by everyone on the team, including the client, in case any pick-ups are needed before concluding the interview session.” - Allie Meikle

Real-Time Access for Collaborative Review

“We connected to a local wifi signal, and uploading to the Cinebody cloud in 4k was a breeze.  While I conducted the interview from Colorado, my executive producer was able to review the clips in real-time in New Jersey. It was amazing to witness the Cinebody technology working so fast for my whole team across the USA.” - Jesse Borrel

In conclusion, conducting remote interviews has become more accessible than ever with the advancements in technology. By leveraging tools like Cinebody, you can capture high-quality footage and conduct interviews from anywhere in the world. The insights shared by industry professionals provide valuable guidance on conducting successful remote interviews. By following their tips and techniques, you can ensure your next remote interview shines and achieves the desired results. Say goodbye to the limitations of in-person interviews and embrace the convenience and efficiency of remote interviews powered by Cinebody.