Advice for shooting an interview of someone before they pass

M

Mark-P

Well-known member
I was given the honor of being asked to shoot an interview with someone dying of cancer. I am not clear on all of the details yet, though it will consist of her leaving messages for her family and possible future unborn grandchildren. I have never seen a video like this before and was hoping someone could provide some advice on the following:


1. Does anyone have any idea where I could see a similar type of video to use as a model?

2. Would you shoot this in 24-P? What style do you think would be better for a video like this?

3. Any other general advice for doing this project?

I will be using a new HVX-200, an Arri lighting kit and a Senheisner wireless lav.
I am considering shooting it in HD, I am just concerned that since I have limited experience with the workflow I could mess something up, and DV would be more comfortable for me to work with. I am still undecided...

Thanks!!!!!
 
i would shoot in 1080p as this will help future proof the recording. in the future most systems will be 1080i/P based. so make sure its in 1080. If you want to preserve a semi documentary feel i would shoot this in 1080- 30P. this way its still sharp progressive scan image, but with a more reality feel than 1080-24p would provide, and will be sharper than 1080i is.
 
If you have enough media, let the camera roll through the whole interview, and as long as it takes afterwards to get averything said recorded. If you don't have enough media, get some. You do not want to run out of recording time on this shoot.
Don't be in a rush yourself either, be prepared that the shoot will take "as long as it takes".

- Mikko
 
I've done some of these. Google Video Biography or Legacy Videos and you'll find some examples.

If you're calling the shots as to how this is produced, I'd think through a list of questions to help guide the narrative. Things like:

Where were you born, parents names?
First memory
What were your parents like?
What was the most important lesson growing up?
etc...


Avoid yes/no questions, try to get her to always rephrase the question in her answer (this will help with editing), train yourself to keep quiet when she's answering -- this is very difficult for me, but there is nothing more frustrating than to have a bunch of faceless"uh-huhs" or whatever verbal responses you happen to give when talking to someone, laced throughout the footage. In the same vein, let her finish before asking the next question. Let the silence linger for a few seconds before launching into the next question....again this will pay off big time in editing.

Get some photos from throughout her life...so when she's talking about her parents you can cut away to nice slow pan across a picture of them, same with kids, etc... It will do wonders for the visual quality of the film.

Best thing you can do is watch some A&E-type biographies and emulate what appeals most to you...

Hope this is helpful,

Jon
 
In addition to above, after asking your prepared questions, reword and re-ask several questions. Sometimes you can get some great answers from your subject that might not come out in the first part of the interview.
I learned a lot from watching 20/20 and Dateline for my interview style. You can really pick up some great shooting techniques from watching these shows. I also watch more for shooting styles more than entertainment value the reality docs on Discovery. Camera angles, editing points and subject matter.

JD
 
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As far as interviewing is concerned, someone before hit the nail on the head-Not asking a question sometimes is the best question, if that makes any sense. In some of my work for cable news tv stuff, giving the subject time to ponder the response when they are done sometimes results in better soundbytes, and better thought. Some people try and avoid the awkwardness of silence by continuing to speak, ad at times, saying things more poignant than what they said before.

Someone who is dying though may not need that, as Im sure their reflection of things is going to be poignant enough. This may be a tough interview, and I give you good luck doing it man-Although some folks in this type of state are totally content with the phase of their life they find themselves in, and it sounds like this person may be that way as well. I kinda got off your original question, but thought I could chime in with a little 411-Good luck!
 
Be clear on the purpose and keep that in mind.

Be clear on the purpose and keep that in mind.

A few (of what might be a long list) of factors that might affect how you proceed:
- location: will this be done at home? in hospital? a hospice?
- hindrances: is the person bedridden? on medication or oxygen that might affect memory, mental capacity, or hinder speech?
- will there be others present, e.g. people who may be spoken about during the interview?

If the intent is to document a life story, memories, and tales of the past, listen well and take some sort of notes (either mental or written). Don't interrupt, but use those notes to probe for more. Example:
"One time my dad took the family to the beach, even took the boy who lived next door. We were all set to go, only to find the car had a flat tire."
Ask about the boy next door, e.g. name, how long they were neighbors, adventures they may have shared, etc. Ask what kind of car it was; did they ever make it to the beach?

If the intent is to leave messages for descendants, kind of a "living will of wisdom" instead of possessions, you have to be careful, as the interviewee may already have specifics in mind and may only need a competent camera operator.

Be as sure as you can about what the interviewee does/doesn't want to do or talk about.

I'd also have some kind of backup recorder, e.g. hard disk or direct-to-DVD. I'd try to make sure I have some kind of duplicate recording source, even it was only VHS or minDV tape. Yes, HD would be preferable, but a bit more costly. Just be sure you have enough P2 cards or maybe a couple of Firestors.

Wish the circumstances were different...happier. Some people have great stories to tell about their lives, and I like to listen to them and let them be told.

Good luck.
 
Please, Please, Please think of a Pre-interview first! Find out about this person by spending some time with them and "getting" their story. Once you hone in on the story, you can then tailor the questions to that. It all comes down to how committed you are and time. I've shot an interview with my late step-father who raised me. I've also shot with the HVX and an Arri light kit and Sennheiser mic and they are a spectacular combo. Don't shoot the person against a wall, leave some distance between the subject and the background and most importantly as mentioned above, make enough time and don't feel rushed. I shot 24p 720 and love it. If you can swing 1080p do it. But I love the slower rhythm of 24p.
 
Why did you recommend not to shoot the person against a wall? I was planning on shooting the person against a window with closed shutters. The person will be sitting in a chair a couple of feet from the wall.


Geno said:
Please, Please, Please think of a Pre-interview first! Find out about this person by spending some time with them and "getting" their story. Once you hone in on the story, you can then tailor the questions to that. It all comes down to how committed you are and time. I've shot an interview with my late step-father who raised me. I've also shot with the HVX and an Arri light kit and Sennheiser mic and they are a spectacular combo. Don't shoot the person against a wall, leave some distance between the subject and the background and most importantly as mentioned above, make enough time and don't feel rushed. I shot 24p 720 and love it. If you can swing 1080p do it. But I love the slower rhythm of 24p.
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