Getting an interviewe looking their best.

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grantw

Well-known member
When you are doing an interview or something with someone and you got no one in charge of makeup/hair, how do you approach it? I did an interview the other week and the guy had a clunk of hair sticking out. I didn't think anything of it and it was probably like that all day so I figured it was normal. But now may have to reshoot it because he think it looks too weird.

There are other times where I see something on someone's face and don't know if I should say something in case its a birthmark or just a blemish. People are already uncomfortable doing the interview without me making them self conscious by saying 'Is your hair supposed to be like that?' or 'whats that mark on your face?'

I was thinking about just always setting up a mirror around the area hoping people would glance into it before.
 
Well, one thing to do in advance is tell them how much a local makeup artist will add to the cost. Corporate/small biz clients will usually say "are you kidding me??!?"

In that case, I often say "Is there someone at your location that can keep an eye on wardrobe, hair, skin glare? Anyone that's generally stylish, well groomed and into fashion?" They'll usually come up with a receptionist or someone like that. Point out that you will have your hands full and you are not an expert on style. Search these forums for the face powders people are using in these situations (rice flour, matte powders, oil-reducing wipes) and have a small kit with you.

When they have someone keep an eye out, you usually have the benefit of the person personally knowing the subject, and knowing whether that chunk of hair is their norm.

Or you could just say "Were you just hit by a car on the way here, and is that leprosy the contagious kind"?
 
People not accustomed to being in front of a camera are generally uncomfortable, yes. But they are so because they worry about how they will look, and if the impending interview process will somehow betray how they really "are".

Remember that most people's first experience with video cameras is a bad one. Someone's nephew acting as wedding videographer going around getting pickups of people eating, extracting awkward interviews. OK I cite a bit of a cliche there, and let it be noted I really respect wedding shooters.

But my point is that there is usually a good reason in someone's past for them to be anxious by the time you get in front of your lens. Include them in the process, reassure them that you are there to make them look good. In my experience fussing over their hair, fixing their collar, straighting the tie, having them smooth their skirt instills confidence that you are there to show their best to the world.

I got my girlfriend to help me pick out expensive hypo-allergenic translucent powder, and that is for the shine on the nose and forehead. Anyone can put it on. I also carry a lint roller, some toothpicks in individual wrappers, and a travel sprayer of hairspray for controlling frizz. It all fits in an old mic pouch. Most times I will not reach for any of it, but it's nice to have. Also just powdering the person's nose can, if nothing else, put them in a mindset "...yes, this is really happening, and these people are looking after me."

I found when I started out I was detached from the subject and focused operating because that's what I thought my role was. But I soon learned the hard way that my experience in retail as a kid was valuable after all. You have to build a rapport with this perfect stranger and get them to trust you in a very short time frame. Easier said than done when operating and asking the questions, but a bit of prep/research beforhand can help.

I find interviewing is fun and sometimes exciting even. It's one of my favourite parts.

Cheers,
Craig
 
When practical, I like to turn a monitor around for them to see exactly what is coming out of camera. Even better if you can record a short clip of them looking at the interviewer or camera (whichever is appropriate for your shoot) and play that back for them so they can see exactly how they will look. Assuming you've done a good job with lighting and making everything look good, it gives them a chance to get comfortable with how they are being portrayed on camera and can really set them at ease. Like most things related to interviews, middle-aged women who aren't yet comfortable with looking old are the worst and they are the ones who benefit the most from realizing that you actually are making them look good.
 
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