Avoiding Common Interview Mistakes: Tips for Directors and Camera Operators
In the world of interviews, Camera Operators and Directors often make a few crucial mistakes that can derail even the most well-intentioned production. Over the years, I’ve learned some hard lessons—and now I want to share a few tips that will elevate your interview game.
Don’t Interview Multiple People at Once
One of the biggest mistakes I see is trying to interview two people at the same time. This usually comes up when business partners or teammates want to do a “joint” interview. While it might sound like a good idea, it rarely works well on camera.
Here’s why: in any three-way conversation (two interviewees, one interviewer), the flow is often awkward. One person naturally dominates, while the other stays quiet, waiting for a moment to jump in. The result? One perspective gets overshadowed, and the quieter person never really gets to share their full story.
This isn’t a podcast where interrupting and bouncing ideas off each other works. In a formal interview setting, it leads to fragmented answers, missed opportunities, and a confusing narrative.
Why solo interviews work better:
✅ Pro:
You can cut between interviews to remove filler words like “uh,” “um,” “like,” and awkward pauses.
Each person has the chance to think and speak independently, offering deeper, more thoughtful answers.
⚠️ Con:
Some interviewees may feel thrown off by the change from their original plan. It’s important to explain that separating interviews will ultimately look and feel better in the final edit.
Comfort is Key
Most people are nervous in front of a camera—especially when there are bright lights, boom mics, multiple crew members, and big lenses pointed at them.
One of the most important things you can do as a director or producer is to create a sense of comfort.
Before the interview, I like to spend time with the interviewee away from the gear—just getting to know them. Be human, be fun. Your energy can completely shape their performance once they sit down.
Check Your Energy
We’re all emotionally synced, whether we realize it or not. If you’re stressed, tired, or annoyed, the interviewee will pick up on that—and it’ll show in their responses.
Before you arrive on set, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you bringing good energy into the room? Because you're not just directing—you’re setting the tone for everything.
Create Natural Flow
Every person has a natural rhythm to how they speak and share their story. Your job is to tap into that flow—not disrupt it.
Here’s how I like to run interviews:
Meet away from the setup. Whether it's outside the studio or in a quieter corner, have a casual chat before the cameras roll. It makes things feel more personal and builds trust.
Ease into the interview. Don’t just jump into heavy questions. Keep the conversation going, and let it naturally evolve into the more structured interview.
You’ll be surprised how much better your footage turns out when your subject feels like they’re just having a conversation—not performing under pressure.
Moving Forward
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