video techniques

Ask the person you're interviewing to look at you, not at the camera.

Try to avoid a straight-on shot - shoot the person from a slight angle to the left or right.

Don't use the zoom feature to get a close-up shot of the person - that accentuates movement. Instead, move the camera a little closer to the subject.

Don't have your interviewee sit in a chair with wheels or that squeaks.

And watch out for nervous activity that creates noise - like someone jangling change or keys in their pocket. Stop your shoot, point it out to them, and then start shooting again.

Don't do a pre-interview off camera where you tell them the questions you'll be asking beforehand. It makes them sound stilted and canned in their responses when the real interview begins. Just give them a general idea of what you'll be discussing.

When you start the interview, have the camera roll for a few seconds before you ask your first question.

And during the interview, relax and listen. Don't nod or make gestures.