When it comes to a video interview, details are everything. Whether you’re choosing what to wear, where to film, or how to prepare, each decision plays an important part in ensuring your interview is successful.
As you prepare to record, don’t overlook the backdrop for your interview. Curating an eye-catching backdrop free of distractions is crucial to the interviewee’s first impression. As a video production company based in Baltimore, Early Light Media has conducted countless TV interviews over the years for various film productions. Here are five things we do to ensure our interview backdrops are as strong as possible.
1. Avoid excess foot traffic
You don’t want anything in the background to distract the viewer from what the interviewee is saying. Avoid filming in an area with a lot of foot traffic or motion behind the speaker, unless it’s a setting that is important to the context of the interview. In general, a more static backdrop, without anyone walking behind the interviewee, is optimal. Look for a quiet indoor space where you won’t be interrupted. This will keep the speaker from getting distracted, too, resulting in a stronger interview.
2. Keep your backdrop clean and colorful
A plain white background is probably the worst backdrop you can choose for an interview. It’s important to choose a backdrop that is more dynamic to the viewer, with some color. The backdrop also needs to be clean. Avoid filming in front of a cluttered space or desk that appears messy. That could distract the viewer from what the interviewee is trying to say.
3. Lighting is everything
It’s important to choose a space with lighting that will highlight the interview subject well. Filming with a window in the background is tricky, because you will need lights that are bright enough to compete with the sun. We like to know well in advance if the interview space has large windows, so we can prepare for the lighting. Preparation is key when it comes to using windows.
4. Take advantage of moveable plants
Try to choose a room with some moveable indoor plants at your disposal. Indoor plants are the perfect prop to curate an aesthetically pleasing background for the interview. Because the plants are movable, you can adjust their position to develop a backdrop that aligns with your creative vision. We love taking advantage of moveable decor like this during interviews. If you have a moveable company sign, framed photos, or another similar prop, you can use that, too!
5. Don’t forget about audio
Your backdrop is important to enhance the interview — but it’s not more important than the interview itself. Don’t sacrifice audio quality for the sake of a backdrop, no matter how much you might like it visually. As an interviewer, it’s your job to make sure the interviewee is comfortable and prepared, and that the viewer will be able to hear them. Avoid areas like atriums that tend to have poor audio, so that the speaker’s words come out clearly on camera. That way, the interview can resonate with your audience without distraction.
