Re: Shooting True First-Person Interviews

I often shoot interviews solo. For "off camera" interviews, I sometimes tell the interview subject to look at a light switch or other point on the wall so the eye line is where it would be had I been sitting in the right spot. But when you are operating the camera and asking the questions, you need to be in a position where you can monitor audio levels, exposure and zoom, as well as ask questions. I try whenever possible of course to look directly at the subject so they are actually looking at another set of eyes.

If there is something for them to say directly to the audience, I just ask them to "look into the camera for this part" - some people want to look in the camera no matter what you tell them.

Mike Cohen