Filming Interviews Outdoors

A different challenge Filming an interview on location outside brings different challenges to indoor interviews. For your interview to look professional, you will need to adapt to the surroundings you are shooting in. Use what is around you to your benefit – for example, if it is too sunny or windy, pick a location where a building may act as a shield from the elements.

Choosing a Location Try to choose a reasonably quiet location. If it is too busy or noisy, you will find it difficult to capture what you need. Make sure the location you’re filming at has context to what you are talking about – e.g. don’t interview someone about skyscrapers in the woods Find an interesting background. Will it be stationary or moving? Close or distant?

Interviewee Positioning As you are outside, you may find that you have to conduct your interviews in different ways to indoors. It is likely that you will interview people stood up outdoors and it is important that you adjust your camera height to who you are interviewing. Cameras should be recording interviews at eye-level.

Walking Interviews Being in an open space allows you to walk and talk during an interview. If you are going to do this, you need to ensure you have a clear route. Don’t walk too fast, make it a gentle stroll. The pros of this is that it again makes it more interesting to watch, however it throws up more challenges for you to adapt to. It will be harder to maintain a consistent light and sound level due to the changes in location and surroundings.