Adding interviews to event coverage

Interviews are not just filming that happens to be pointed at a person. They need their own time, a quiet place, the right people and permission to publish, so plan them as a separate part of your coverage.

What an interview adds to general filming

When we film an event, the crew follows the programme and takes what happens. For an interview, the crew stops, sets up and asks someone to talk. This is a different job.

1. Time

Interviews need real minutes. A person has to be found, seated, relaxed and asked questions. Then they may need a second try. If interviews are squeezed between speeches, guests miss the programme or the interviews feel rushed.

Choose planned gaps: a break, registration, a networking session. Tell us the programme and we will suggest the best moments. The interview schedule builder helps you lay out names, times and questions.

2. Sound

Interview sound is only good where it is quiet. A busy hall, music or a kitchen next door can ruin an answer that was otherwise fine. Plan:

• A corner or side room, away from speakers and crowds.
• A microphone close to the person speaking, so the sound comes from the speaker, not the room.
• A short test before the first interview.

Our guide to planning intelligible event audio explains the wider picture, and the audio brief builder helps you write down what you need.

3. Who is interviewed

Decide in advance who you want and why:

1. The people whose voice the video needs: the organiser, a sponsor, a senior guest.
2. Typical guests or participants, if you want a mix.
3. A backup person for each important voice, in case someone is busy.

Ask them early, and tell them it will be short. Nervous people give better answers when they know what to expect. If the video is for an audience that speaks another language, say so.

4. Questions

Keep to a few short, open questions. For example, “What did you enjoy today?” works better than a long question with several parts. Send them a day or two early where you can. We can suggest questions if you prefer.

5. Permissions

Before you film, each person should agree to be on camera, and should know where the video may be shown. Ask separately if you plan to use clips on social media or in adverts. For children, a parent or guardian should agree.

You may need to follow rules about personal data. Our permissions guide and the filming and publication responsibilities checklist explain what to think about.

An illustrative example

Imagine a 150-person product launch where the organiser wants five short interviews. This is only an example. The programme has a 20-minute networking break, so the crew sets up in a side room and invites people one at a time.

If five interviews do not fit in the break, the organiser may choose three, and film the rest after the programme ends. The quote lists the crew and time for interviews, and the finished clips are delivered with the main film or as a separate set, as agreed.

What we confirm for your event

• Time per interview: we agree it with you once we know how many people and how long your break is.
• Where we set up: a quiet corner or side room, which we ask you or the venue to help us find.
• Languages: we note each language in the interview plan.
• What you receive: separate clips, or interviews inside the main film, as written in your quote.

If you also want footage you can reuse, read about post-event video assets.

How we help

Interview filming is available on request, confirmed for each event. We look at your programme and suggest where interviews fit. Our event interview filming page describes the service.

For a legal question about your event, ask a qualified adviser.