1. VIDEO STORYTELLING WITH
INTERVIEWS, IMAGES AND SOUND
May 2, 2012

2. Introduction Activity
Let’s go around the room and share with one
another our:
 Name
 Organization we work with
 An interesting thing you might not know about
me

3. Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions
• Using Interviews for Storytelling
• The Art of Storytelling
• Interviewing Best Practices
• Capturing Interviews
• Editing Basics
• Screen Videos in Progress: Reflections on Process
• Upload Your Videos Online

4. Using Interviews for Storytelling
Interview: from entrevue
-to see one another,
face to face, exchange
information between
• A vessel that contains important information and
much of the story
• Combined with other elements

5. Can be used to set up or
give depth to a story
Is arresting and
compelling when
combined with other
elements
The interviewee can help
you tell the story, but they
don’t always have to be
the primary storyteller

6.  “Talking heads‖ : characters in your story
Primary characters: the main person/s the story’s
about – you’re seeing the world through their eyes
Secondary characters: support your story, provide
expert perspective, offer other points of view

7. How they can be used to enhance the story rather
than make it boring or dry?
How can it help captivate viewers to the story or
subject?
How to convey a powerful message?

9. The Art of Storytelling
 Making a connection
 Communicating emotion,
meaning, what happened
 Stories can compel
change, new perspectives,
action

10.  Richard Koci-Hernandez
and “Visual Storytelling”
 Stories are a powerful
currency in our world
right now
 Some of the best
storytelling around is
on radio
 Ira Glass on Storytelling: the power of the anecdote
and moments of reflections

11. Holly Minch’s
Six Stories Every Organization Can Tell
Nature of
How we got Emblematic
our
started success
challenge
How we’re
Performance Where we
striving to
story are going
improve

12. Elements of video storytelling:
Dramatic
theme,
Mix of shots, Character question, idea
angles s
Photos
Music
Point of
view
Graphics Gift of
Emotion Voice
al
Narration content
Voiceover
Movement Pacing Sounds

13. What do you see?

14. Interviewing Best Practices
Before
During
After

15. Before > During > After the Interview
Pre-
Post-
Productio Production
Production
n

16. Getting Started: Before the Interview
 More than just showing up
with a camera
 All about getting someone
to say what you need, how
you need it
 Planning is important

17. Planning:
 What is the location
 What gear will I need
 Need to prepare my
shot list, questions
 Will I have a team to help
 How should I prep the subject

18. Know what your piece is about
• Theme, tone, style

19. What interview style will you use?

20. Research
and
prepare
Know your subject and
your interviewee

21. Prepping Your
Interviewee:
-Clothes to wear
-General description of
conversation or send
questions ahead?
-Interview logistics

22. Activity:
Role Play
 3 volunteers
 Interviewer,
interviewee, and
camera operator
 Ask a few questions!
 What was that like?

23. During the Interview
 Framing and eyeline
 Lighting and sound
 Interview techniques
 Remember to get B roll, pictures, documents,
etc. on site
 Also get consent, media releases signed

24. Framing interview shots
- Subject faces slightly left or
right of camera
- For more immediate, ―directly engaging the viewer‖
can have subject look into the camera
- Want to see both eyes
- Check eyeline—not too high or low, too far right or left
- Mid shot to medium close up usually
- Use wider shots to establish context, place
- Wide to med close up best for factual, informational
- Shots tighter, closer better for personal/emotional
content

25. 3 Point Lighting
• Key
• Background
• Filler

26. Lighting tips:
Indoors
-When using existing lights; aim for not mixing sources
- Make sure there’s enough light
Outdoors
-Use the sun as a key light
-Use a reflector to balance shadows if you need to

27. Sound tips
-Check for distracting sounds in your location
-Shotgun and lav mic as options
-Prep the location-“taping in progress”
-Remind all “crew” to
be quiet during taping!
-be aware of any
of your “ums,
uh huh, right”

28. Shooting for the edit tips:
-if interviewer on screen, be sure to 1) capture
reaction shots of the interviewer listening,
nodding their head, etc. and 2) videotape the
interviewer asking questions (before or after the
taped interview)
-vary framing
-get room tone!

29. Connect With
Your Subject
 Gain their trust
 Establish rapport
 Be respectful of the vulnerable position they’re in

30. Put the Subject
At Ease
 Make them comfortable
 Talk casually during set up
 Establish a relaxed spirit

31. Be Aware Of Your Own Presence as an Interviewer
 Are you making eye contact?
 Do you have any of your own quirks to be aware of?

32. Be An Active Listener
―Active Listening is a Way of Listening that focuses entirely on
what the other person is saying and confirms understanding of
both the content of the message and the emotions and
feelings underlying the message, to ensure that understanding
is accurate.‖

33. Leave Space for Silence

34. Interview Style for the Edit:
 Do you want your own voice in the video?
 Prep interviewee for how to answer questions if you will
not
 Avoid closed questions
 Use open ended questions

35. Style of Questioning
 Avoid leading questions
 Be as specific as you can
 Don’t get too technical or
use lots of jargon
 Keep it simple

36. After the Interview
 Did you get what you needed?
 Reshoot, gather more b-roll, other elements if needed
 Say thank you for their time!
 Stay in contact with next steps-when the video is
screened, goes online, is shared, etc.

37. Anything to note?
Take a couple minutes
and jot down a tip that
was really helpful
OR
Write down something
you’d like to learn more
about

38. Capturing Interviews Activity

39. Editing Basics
• We’ll have two breakout groups for PC and Mac
users
• You’ll work on learning the basics of editing with
interviews, photos with captured footage
• The footage you’ve gathered today will be
perfect to continue honing your new editing
skills after the class and in the next session!

40. Congratulations!
You’re continuing to speak a new language of sound, sight,
and message!

41. Practice
Practice
Practice

42. Uploading Videos Online
• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Facebook

43. Vimeo:
• Has a different ―feel‖ than YouTube so may be
appropriate for different audiences
• Can help foster community, social relationships
and networking

44. • Create an account
• Get familiar with the account settings and
recommendations
• If account is for your organization, do not
use a personal email address
• Set up a channel!

46. Photo credits from Flickr/Creative Commons:
 Derek E-Jay
 Juan J
 Sean Davis
 Suavehouse
 Marc Van Der Chijs
 Allaboutgeorge
 Hicham Souilmi
 Amie Fedora
 Gather Your Crowd
 Juicylucymamma
 Sgetliffe
Thank you!!

47. Thank You!!
Lisa Peterson
lisapeterson@berkeley.edu
Chihiro Wimbush
chihiro_wimbush@yahoo.com