Where should the interviewee look?

egproductions

egproductions

Veteran
I'm shooting a promotional video. In the past I've always thought the rule of looking at the interviewer next to the lens was a good one. I've seen a few video latley where the interviewee will look directly at the camera and talk to the viewer about the company or their thoughts and I have to say that it looks pretty good. Its refreshing when the person actually engages the viewer rather than someone off screen. My question is if there is any thought process behind when someone should be looking at the camera or when they should be looking off camera.
 
Hi Egg,

The way we usually do it is pretty much exactly as you described. If the interviewee is supposed to be directly addressing the audience for a training or sales pitch, for example, then looking at the lens (or at the interviewer seated very close to in-line with the lens) is a good bet. The latter way is how I do it with non-professionals, because they are less nervous and wooden when they look at me, instead of the lens.

Looking out of line with the lens is nice for un-scripted interviews, so that the audience members feel more like they're "sitting in" on an interesting conversation, and don't need to be directly engaged with the speaer. But there are no rules really.

The only thing that really bothers me, personally, is the cutaway to a close-up angle in profile. I don't know who came up with this, but it's always super jarring.
 
I agree with Finn. I've always gone with

Straight to camera eyeline: When the person is addressing the audience directly. ie corporate pitch or confessionals on reality show.

Off axis eyeline: When the audience is part of a conversation not directed at them specifically.
 
I use an "interrotron" occasionally as it can be very effective, especially for non-professional talent. Google it and you'll get the idea.
 
A lot of it has to do with getting the right feeling on the face of the interviewee. A person usually comes across as more relaxed, natural, and genuine when looking into the face of another human being, rather than into the lens of a machine.
 
What about using both (to camera and off-camera) in the same interview? How weird/distracting would that be? I've got something (corporate branding piece) coming up where I feel like direct address would be very effective since the primary interviewee has an excellent presence and look and is an experienced speaker, but a second angle would be great to be able to break things up and for variety. Opinions?
 
Airboxlights said:
What about using both (to camera and off-camera) in the same interview? How weird/distracting would that be?
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I've had clients (sometimes the interview subject themself, sometimes producers or production companies) request this, and I don't like it- it mixes the 2 styles.

My preference is if it's more internal corporate (CEO addressing staff) or something where there's already a connection, into the lens, wide and tight (either 2 takes, or alternating focal lengths).
If it's more of a conversation introducing people to the speaker, looking off-cam. I also prefer this with 2 cameras, but not as extreme a profile CU as some, more like right next to the WS.

Also, scripted (prompter or memorized bullet points) is usually better into cam, Q&A better off-cam (with the previously stated human interaction and encouragement).
 
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