In short
- Start with the purpose and the audience, then choose who to interview.
- Use the same few open questions for everyone so answers can be cut together.
- Let people say no, and agree whether each person sees their own clip first.
- Decide who picks the final excerpts and who signs off the whole compilation.
Choose the audience and purpose first, then the people, then a few questions that everyone answers. Agree before the day whether each person sees their own clip and who signs off the finished compilation.
What a compilation is for
An interview compilation puts many short voices into one film. It can be a staff message for an anniversary, a thank-you to attendees, or a way to show how an event felt to those who were there.
It does not replace a speech recording or a highlight film. See highlight film, full recording and raw footage explained if you are unsure which output you need.
Who should be interviewed
Pick people for what they can say, not only for their title. A mix usually works better than a line of managers.
- Staff from different teams or levels.
- First-time and returning attendees.
- A volunteer, a speaker and a guest who travelled.
- Someone from an organisation or community group you work with, if they agree.
Invite a few more than you need. Some will be busy, nervous or in a different part of the venue. Keep the invitation neutral and voluntary, because people asked by their own manager may feel they cannot refuse.
What to ask
Use the same three to five open questions for everyone. That makes answers easy to cut together and gives each person a fair turn.
- What was the best moment for you today?
- What did you not expect?
- What would you tell someone who did not come?
- What does this event mean to your team or family?
Avoid yes or no questions and leading ones such as “Don’t you think this was excellent?”. A specific question gets a specific answer. For example, “Who did you meet today that you want to see again?” is better than “How was the event?”.
How clips are selected and who approves
Someone has to pick the best lines. Decide who that is, and what the rule is, before the editor starts.
| Approval method | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organiser approves the whole film | One person signs off the finished compilation | Quick turnaround, small teams | Contributors may not see how they are shown |
| Each person approves their own clip | Everyone sees their excerpt and can ask for a change | Staff videos, sensitive topics | More time, and a clear deadline is needed |
| Both | Contributors review their clips, then the organiser approves the whole | Public or formal films | The longest process |
Say in advance that approval means people can ask to change or drop their own words. It does not mean they can rewrite the film. Put a deadline on replies so one slow answer does not hold up the delivery.
Setting, sound and language
A quiet corner with a plain background is better than the busiest part of the hall. Sound matters more than people expect, so ask for a spot away from music and stage speakers. The event audio brief builder can help.
If people will speak Malay, English, Mandarin or another language, tell us. You may want captions, or translated subtitles, so the compilation works for everyone. The caption and language specification planner sets this out, and the interview schedule builder helps you fit short slots into the programme.
An illustrative example
For example, a company wants a two-minute thank-you film from its staff dinner. It picks six people from different teams and one long-serving employee. Each person is asked the same four questions, in a corner away from the stage, and each can choose their language.
The editor chooses one or two lines per person. Each person gets their own clip to review for a few days, and the communications manager approves the final film. This is an illustration, not a past client.
What we confirm for your event
- Who conducts the interviews and who writes the questions.
- How much programme time the interviews need.
- How contributors review their clips, and by when.
- Whether captions or translated subtitles are listed in the quote.
- What happens to interview footage that is not used.
Our event interview filming service covers the filming side. For related choices, see speaker clips for professional sharing and the guide to public and private edits. If it helps to start from what you need, the video deliverable selector gives a shortlist.
If you already know who you would like to hear from, or only the sort of voices you want, send us the event date and the audience for the video. We can suggest a simple interview plan that fits your programme.
WhatsApp us