On-Camera Interviewee Tips & Tricks

At DreamOn Studios, we shoot a lot of videos that include personal interviews. These firsthand accounts really add flavor to the story and help your audience get a feel for who you are, which ultimately builds trust and moves people to action. 

But we know how intimidating these interviews can be, especially if it’s not something you’re used to doing on a regular basis. We got you covered! The DreamOn Studios team wants to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible so your story shines through.

So we’ve put together some interviewee tips and tricks to help you prepare for your next on-camera interview.

Check out what Stephen Donley has to share below!

7 Tips & Tricks to Put You At Ease On Camera

#1 Restate the question in your answer

To give your answer confidence and context, restate the question within your answer. For example, if you’re asked, “What do you love about working for your company?” Don’t simply say, “The environment.” Instead, say, “What I love about working for my company is the environment.”

#2 Say everything like it’s the first time

During the interview process, you may find yourself repeating yourself. This is ok! Sometimes something you say at one point of the interview has more punch than it does at another point, and our team can work with your best answer in post-production editing.

So say everything like you’re saying it for the first time, even if it’s the 20th time you’ve said it.

For example, instead of saying, “As I said before, I love working on personal projects.” You’d say, “I just love working on personal projects.” 

#3 Relax…we’ve got you covered!

If you’re filming with DreamOn Studios, know we will do our best to make you look and sound amazing. We’re on your team! If you have any questions or need clarity, feel free to look to the crew for guidance or support. 

And remember, it’s ok to mess up! If you do, take a deep breath and start over. Fortunately, interviews like this can also be edited in post-production, so you don’t have to worry!

#4 Wear solid colors

Wear clothing that is professional and suitable for the tone of the video. That said, some clothing choices come across better on camera than others. For example, solid colors generally work best. Try to avoid patterns or stripes, as they can appear distorted on camera.

Most importantly, choose clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable! The more confident you feel, the better you will come across on camera.

#5 Prepare your talking points

Make a list of key points or messages you want to convey. Practice expressing these points ahead of time. By preparing your answers, you can balance staying on topic and being conversational. 

But please don’t feel the need to memorize your answers! If it sounds like you’re reading, it may appear inauthentic or mechanical on camera.

Instead, focus on conveying the essence of your story. To do this, perhaps you prepare some bullet points to refer to and remind you of your key points.

#6 Practice your delivery

Speak clearly, project your voice, and maintain a moderate pace. Sometimes when people are nervous, they speak too quickly, softly, or loudly without even realizing it.

If you’re feeling nervous, it may come out in your voice and affect your projection and clarity. So take deep breaths to help calm any nerves and maintain a steady voice. 

Also, take care to enunciate your words and avoid using excessive jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the audience.

Practice maintaining good eye contact with the interviewer or the camera, as this will create a stronger connection with the viewers. 

#7 Be mindful of your body language

Sit or stand comfortably with your shoulders back and your head up. Avoid fidgeting or excessive movements that can be distracting. Use hand gestures purposefully to emphasize key points.

But if you find yourself nervously expressive with your hands, perhaps try keeping them at your sides or in your lap.

Avoid putting your hands in your pockets or behind your back, as that gives a subconscious cue to your audience that reduces trust.

In summary, on-camera interviews can be intimidating, but with the right preparation and crew behind you to coach you through the experience, you can shine and deliver a compelling story!

Are you ready to share your story with the world? Schedule a discovery call with our team!