Wedding Party Interview... at DVinfo.net

David Ruhland · February 11th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Okay... this just got dropped on me at rehersal...

The bride is asking for the "wedding party" interviews, questions, etc...

Not to sound like an idiot... BUT what questions....

I have my shot list ready to go.... but looking for some guidance with the interview format... questions, etc...

Thanks...Dave

Don Bloom · February 11th, 2011, 07:02 PM

I used to do that and I hate it. TO me it's a waste of time, effort and time on the DVD BUT since they want it here's some things you can ask.
1. how did you meet
2. how long have you known him/her/them
3. what did he/she say to you after meeting for the first time (Bride meets groom-Groom meets Bride)
4. Did you feel that they would get married
5. any advice for them (keep it clean)

There are a lot more questions you could ask but the one thing I tried to do was keep it short sweet and to the point. The way I found to do that was to give each couple a question before the wedding and ask them the one question for the video. Sometimes this dragged on so long I reduced it to interviewing the parents and grandparents only for a short "advice" interview.

In any case sometimes you can get some really funny stuff and in some cases it can be as painful as a root canal without novacaine.

Erin Anguish · February 11th, 2011, 11:19 PM

- what's your favorite memory of the two of them together
- what's unique about them
- how did they get engaged

if there's anything unique about the wedding, you could also ask about that - like, to use as narration over some small part of the video.

"they spent forever deciding on the favors..." (pan over a table with favors on display)

Chris Harding · February 12th, 2011, 12:44 AM

I keep my interviews to guests at the pre-dinner drinks only..just a short congratulations or some marriage advice...they range from anything from 5 seconds to 30 seconds and my brides absolutely love them!!!

Philip Howells does more elaborate family interviews with his packages so I'm sure he can give you wiser advice on what questions he asks the person.

I'm normally doing nothing during pre-dinner drinks so the short comments help pass the time and also keep me busy!!!

Chris

Philip Howells · February 12th, 2011, 02:05 AM

Dave, Chris has kindly referred to our "signature" interviews and I'd be happy to help; unfortunately today my schedule is silly and I don't have time to write all the advice and learning I'd be pleased to pass on. I also guess your need is immediate so may I for now confine my post to these few pointers with many apologies for the paucity?

1 Relax the interviewee, flatter them, make it a conversation. Ideally have the camera operated by someone else. There are two jobs to be done here.

2 Ask open questions. If your question can be answered with a yes or no re-phrase it. A useful tricks is to start "Tell me how..."

3 Pre-empt your question.ie structure the question so that you convey the core part before finishing the complete sentence. This needs care because a sharp-witted and natural performer may jump in and stand on your question which is bad for editing and needs a repeat. On the other hand it helps the less comfortable performer because the delay gives them time to think about their answer. Never harry them, let them think about their answer.

4 Decide on three or four questions and ask the same to each interviewee. That way you can edit out your question and, if you got point 2 right the question you asked will be clear. Because you ask the same questions of each person, only one response has to reveal the question - the others follow on.

5 Use "Active Listening" - nod like a mad dog, smile, do everything you can silently and off camera to encourage the interviewee, to convey silently that they're doing well, saying the right thing and so on.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

PS If you have the patience and time, please feel free to comb my previous posts for as Chris suggests I have written at length on the subject before. I'd like to think it's modesty that I can't find it; in reality it's disorganisation.

David Ruhland · February 12th, 2011, 06:51 AM

Thanks everyone... Today is the day...

Erin Anguish · February 12th, 2011, 02:31 PM

good luck!

Johannes Soetandi · February 13th, 2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Harding

I keep my interviews to guests at the pre-dinner drinks only..just a short congratulations or some marriage advice...they range from anything from 5 seconds to 30 seconds and my brides absolutely love them!!!

Sorry to steal topic on this thread :P

Just wondering what mic do you use during interviews as usually there is loud music or chattering on background? I use my shotgun mic.. picked up audio well especially the males.. but sometimes there are those (usually the ladies) who speak very softly.. I used a lav mic once and get the guest to hold them, is this recommended?

Chris Harding · February 13th, 2011, 10:59 PM

Hi John

I tried the whole range and the only thing that punches thru background noise is a Rode VideoMic!! However that's a little big for your DSLR so maybe try to get the new compact one???

Lav's just don't work unless you physically clip them onto the person's clothing...otherwise they will either hold them down near their waist OR they will try to eat them!!! There is never a happy medium!!!

I would stick with a Rode .. for me nothing else worked!!!

Chris

Johannes Soetandi · February 14th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Thanks Chris, will stick to the RODE and probably use wide angle lens so I can stand closer to them if needed. Luckily nobody have eaten my lav mic yet haha..

February 11th, 2011, 04:52 PM	#1
David Ruhland Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison WI Posts: 340	Wedding Party Interview... Okay... this just got dropped on me at rehersal... The bride is asking for the "wedding party" interviews, questions, etc... Not to sound like an idiot... BUT what questions.... I have my shot list ready to go.... but looking for some guidance with the interview format... questions, etc... Thanks...Dave __________________ Vegas 8.0c (Build 260)-(Upgraded to Sony Vegas 10 pro)Canon GL2, Canon HV30, HF200, HF20-Sony UWP Wirelesss Mic Kit, Intel Core 2 CPU-6600@2.40GHz-3.00GB Ram

February 11th, 2011, 07:02 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I used to do that and I hate it. TO me it's a waste of time, effort and time on the DVD BUT since they want it here's some things you can ask. 1. how did you meet 2. how long have you known him/her/them 3. what did he/she say to you after meeting for the first time (Bride meets groom-Groom meets Bride) 4. Did you feel that they would get married 5. any advice for them (keep it clean) There are a lot more questions you could ask but the one thing I tried to do was keep it short sweet and to the point. The way I found to do that was to give each couple a question before the wedding and ask them the one question for the video. Sometimes this dragged on so long I reduced it to interviewing the parents and grandparents only for a short "advice" interview. In any case sometimes you can get some really funny stuff and in some cases it can be as painful as a root canal without novacaine. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

February 12th, 2011, 06:51 AM	#6
David Ruhland Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison WI Posts: 340	Thanks everyone... Today is the day... __________________ Vegas 8.0c (Build 260)-(Upgraded to Sony Vegas 10 pro)Canon GL2, Canon HV30, HF200, HF20-Sony UWP Wirelesss Mic Kit, Intel Core 2 CPU-6600@2.40GHz-3.00GB Ram

February 11th, 2011, 11:19 PM	#3
Erin Anguish New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 7	- what's your favorite memory of the two of them together - what's unique about them - how did they get engaged if there's anything unique about the wedding, you could also ask about that - like, to use as narration over some small part of the video. "they spent forever deciding on the favors..." (pan over a table with favors on display)

February 12th, 2011, 12:44 AM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	I keep my interviews to guests at the pre-dinner drinks only..just a short congratulations or some marriage advice...they range from anything from 5 seconds to 30 seconds and my brides absolutely love them!!! Philip Howells does more elaborate family interviews with his packages so I'm sure he can give you wiser advice on what questions he asks the person. I'm normally doing nothing during pre-dinner drinks so the short comments help pass the time and also keep me busy!!! Chris

February 12th, 2011, 02:05 AM	#5
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	Dave, Chris has kindly referred to our "signature" interviews and I'd be happy to help; unfortunately today my schedule is silly and I don't have time to write all the advice and learning I'd be pleased to pass on. I also guess your need is immediate so may I for now confine my post to these few pointers with many apologies for the paucity? 1 Relax the interviewee, flatter them, make it a conversation. Ideally have the camera operated by someone else. There are two jobs to be done here. 2 Ask open questions. If your question can be answered with a yes or no re-phrase it. A useful tricks is to start "Tell me how..." 3 Pre-empt your question.ie structure the question so that you convey the core part before finishing the complete sentence. This needs care because a sharp-witted and natural performer may jump in and stand on your question which is bad for editing and needs a repeat. On the other hand it helps the less comfortable performer because the delay gives them time to think about their answer. Never harry them, let them think about their answer. 4 Decide on three or four questions and ask the same to each interviewee. That way you can edit out your question and, if you got point 2 right the question you asked will be clear. Because you ask the same questions of each person, only one response has to reveal the question - the others follow on. 5 Use "Active Listening" - nod like a mad dog, smile, do everything you can silently and off camera to encourage the interviewee, to convey silently that they're doing well, saying the right thing and so on. Hope that helps. Good luck. PS If you have the patience and time, please feel free to comb my previous posts for as Chris suggests I have written at length on the subject before. I'd like to think it's modesty that I can't find it; in reality it's disorganisation.

February 12th, 2011, 02:31 PM	#7
Erin Anguish New Boot Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 7	good luck!

February 13th, 2011, 10:59 PM	#9
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi John I tried the whole range and the only thing that punches thru background noise is a Rode VideoMic!! However that's a little big for your DSLR so maybe try to get the new compact one??? Lav's just don't work unless you physically clip them onto the person's clothing...otherwise they will either hold them down near their waist OR they will try to eat them!!! There is never a happy medium!!! I would stick with a Rode .. for me nothing else worked!!! Chris

February 14th, 2011, 12:15 AM	#10
Johannes Soetandi Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 387	Thanks Chris, will stick to the RODE and probably use wide angle lens so I can stand closer to them if needed. Luckily nobody have eaten my lav mic yet haha..