Conducting street interviews at DVinfo.net

Paul Hildebrandt · February 16th, 2012, 11:44 AM

I'm filming a documentary and part of the film is going around and interviewing random people off the street. Can anyone offer tips and information on the best and proper way to do this? Both from a legal standpoint, talking to people, as well as technically.

Right now my plan is to have an assistant with me that will run sound with an h4n and shotgun mic. We will go up to people, tell them what I'm doing, give them a video waiver to sign, point the camera and shotgun mic at them and start asking questions and recording. Bluntly stated.

Do I need specific paperwork for this other than a standard release form, do you recommend any methods making this go more smoothly? Thanks.

Brian Drysdale · February 19th, 2012, 11:08 AM

I don't know about how people react where you're located, but getting the interview going in the first place is the often biggest hurdle in these street interviews. You may find it easier to get the release form signed after the interview, rather than before, also the interviewee may be more spontaneous doing the interview first.

Mark Wheelan · February 19th, 2012, 11:42 AM

I've always obtained my consents on camera, then again mine have been for educational/documentary related filming which may be a different standard. For shots involving patients we must have several signed forms.

I am curious if there is need for signed form or can you use a recorded consent for commercial filming.

Dave Mercer · February 23rd, 2012, 10:41 AM

Broadcast channel I used to work for needs a signed contributor release form for each interview. As suggested, might be better to get them to sign after the interview, if they're of the voxpop variety.

Good luck.

John Wiley · March 2nd, 2012, 07:29 AM

I agree that you'll probably have much more luck getting them to sign the waiver afterwards than beforehand.

As for the technical/workflow side of things, shoot handheld (with a shouldermount or other rig if required) as this will be much less intimidating for interviewees. If it's only for vox-pop style stuff then you shouldn't have any problems keeping a steady hand for 20 seconds at a time.

Use natural light and pay attention to it - ask them nicely if they can turn to face the sun, remove their sunglasses & hat, ect, to ensure you can see their face clearly.

Let the interviewer approach the subject and do all the talking rather than the camera operator (regardless of who is the director/has the higher ranking on the production). Again, it's much less intimidating for the subject. The cameraman should do his best to remain invisible and silent except for the reasons in the previous tip about positioning the subject.

If it's at all possible, have a good looking young female do the interviewing. You'll be surprised how agreeable people will become. Sexist though it may seem, it is a guaranteed way to get results.

Ron Little · March 2nd, 2012, 08:57 AM

A marketing company that I work for insist that I get a release before we turn on the camera. They do not want to pay me to shoot interviews that can not be used. The policy is simple have them sign the form shoot the interview. If they will not sign move on to someone that will.

I was shooting interviews at a karate tournament for an energy drink company. I was interviewing a young man that was over 18, about the energy drink. It was a good interview he was very good on camera. When the interview was over my assistant was getting him to sign, when his mother walked up and insisted he be paid for his indorsement. He was a no name, first time competitor, his interview was not used in the commercial. What a waste of time.

Chris Sgaraglino · April 10th, 2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wheelan

I've always obtained my consents on camera, then again mine have been for educational/documentary related filming which may be a different standard.

What do you men on camera, what do they say?

Oren Arieli · April 10th, 2012, 10:58 PM

A few additional tech suggestions. If you're having another person doing the interviewing, have them wear a white shirt and face them into the sun, with the interviewee being backlit. A white shirt acts like a bounce card and gives you a better exposure on the interviewee's face. Obviously, this isn't ideal if you want your interviewer to be on-camera as well. Make sure you have a good eyecup, as you'll also be facing into the sun.
Have your interviewer approach the person first, asking for verbal permission to conduct the interview. After it's taped, hand them a form for signature. If the person looks young, ask their age before proceeding.
If you're doing this over the course of a long day, a fluid-head monopod will be your best friend.

Tom Morrow · April 15th, 2012, 10:35 PM

Good suggestions here. I'll also add: Have them spell their name on-camera/mic and print their name on the release form so you can match them up in post. Maybe even write a description of the person and what they are wearing on the release.

I never cease to be amazed at how willing people are to sign away all rights to their image for no compensation, but I'd agree that doing so after the interview is better all around because then they know what they are signing away.

Shotgun mics can be intimidating; consider handheld "reporter mics" like the EV50.

February 16th, 2012, 11:44 AM	#1
Paul Hildebrandt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 83	Conducting street interviews I'm filming a documentary and part of the film is going around and interviewing random people off the street. Can anyone offer tips and information on the best and proper way to do this? Both from a legal standpoint, talking to people, as well as technically. Right now my plan is to have an assistant with me that will run sound with an h4n and shotgun mic. We will go up to people, tell them what I'm doing, give them a video waiver to sign, point the camera and shotgun mic at them and start asking questions and recording. Bluntly stated. Do I need specific paperwork for this other than a standard release form, do you recommend any methods making this go more smoothly? Thanks.

February 19th, 2012, 11:08 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: Conducting street interviews I don't know about how people react where you're located, but getting the interview going in the first place is the often biggest hurdle in these street interviews. You may find it easier to get the release form signed after the interview, rather than before, also the interviewee may be more spontaneous doing the interview first.

February 19th, 2012, 11:42 AM	#3
Mark Wheelan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kern County, Calif Posts: 53	Re: Conducting street interviews I've always obtained my consents on camera, then again mine have been for educational/documentary related filming which may be a different standard. For shots involving patients we must have several signed forms. I am curious if there is need for signed form or can you use a recorded consent for commercial filming.

February 23rd, 2012, 10:41 AM	#4
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Re: Conducting street interviews Broadcast channel I used to work for needs a signed contributor release form for each interview. As suggested, might be better to get them to sign after the interview, if they're of the voxpop variety. Good luck.

March 2nd, 2012, 07:29 AM	#5
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Conducting street interviews I agree that you'll probably have much more luck getting them to sign the waiver afterwards than beforehand. As for the technical/workflow side of things, shoot handheld (with a shouldermount or other rig if required) as this will be much less intimidating for interviewees. If it's only for vox-pop style stuff then you shouldn't have any problems keeping a steady hand for 20 seconds at a time. Use natural light and pay attention to it - ask them nicely if they can turn to face the sun, remove their sunglasses & hat, ect, to ensure you can see their face clearly. Let the interviewer approach the subject and do all the talking rather than the camera operator (regardless of who is the director/has the higher ranking on the production). Again, it's much less intimidating for the subject. The cameraman should do his best to remain invisible and silent except for the reasons in the previous tip about positioning the subject. If it's at all possible, have a good looking young female do the interviewing. You'll be surprised how agreeable people will become. Sexist though it may seem, it is a guaranteed way to get results.

March 2nd, 2012, 08:57 AM	#6
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	Re: Conducting street interviews A marketing company that I work for insist that I get a release before we turn on the camera. They do not want to pay me to shoot interviews that can not be used. The policy is simple have them sign the form shoot the interview. If they will not sign move on to someone that will. I was shooting interviews at a karate tournament for an energy drink company. I was interviewing a young man that was over 18, about the energy drink. It was a good interview he was very good on camera. When the interview was over my assistant was getting him to sign, when his mother walked up and insisted he be paid for his indorsement. He was a no name, first time competitor, his interview was not used in the commercial. What a waste of time.

April 10th, 2012, 10:58 PM	#8
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Conducting street interviews A few additional tech suggestions. If you're having another person doing the interviewing, have them wear a white shirt and face them into the sun, with the interviewee being backlit. A white shirt acts like a bounce card and gives you a better exposure on the interviewee's face. Obviously, this isn't ideal if you want your interviewer to be on-camera as well. Make sure you have a good eyecup, as you'll also be facing into the sun. Have your interviewer approach the person first, asking for verbal permission to conduct the interview. After it's taped, hand them a form for signature. If the person looks young, ask their age before proceeding. If you're doing this over the course of a long day, a fluid-head monopod will be your best friend.

April 15th, 2012, 10:35 PM	#9
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: Conducting street interviews Good suggestions here. I'll also add: Have them spell their name on-camera/mic and print their name on the release form so you can match them up in post. Maybe even write a description of the person and what they are wearing on the release. I never cease to be amazed at how willing people are to sign away all rights to their image for no compensation, but I'd agree that doing so after the interview is better all around because then they know what they are signing away. Shotgun mics can be intimidating; consider handheld "reporter mics" like the EV50.