| Nowadays, when you rent a DVD to watch in the | | | | side of the camera. Try to be conversational so as to |
| comfort of your home, you can usually count on a | | | | put them at ease. The only time that they should look |
| "Special Features" section, where the movie producer | | | | directly into the camera is when you ask them if they |
| includes a "back story" or "making of the movie" | | | | have anything they'd like to say to their fiancée. |
| featurette. This same "back story" technique can | | | | Here are some suggested interview questions: "You're |
| easily be added to your wedding video to add a fun, | | | | getting married tomorrow. How do you feel?" "When |
| "up close and personal" touch, in playful contrast to the | | | | did you know that _________ was the ONE?" |
| formality of the wedding ceremony. And it doesn't | | | | "How did you two meet?" "What are you expecting |
| require any out of the ordinary time or effort. The main | | | | from the wedding tomorrow?" "Is there anything you'd |
| focus of the back story should be pre-wedding, | | | | like to say to your bride/groom tonight?" You can also |
| on-camera interviews with the bride and groom. The | | | | come up with your own questions. You are only limited |
| wedding rehearsal is a great opportunity for these | | | | by your imagination. Before you begin rolling tape, it is |
| interviews to be tape recorded. Interview the bride and | | | | very important to instruct the bride and groom to |
| groom separately. They shouldn't be allowed to listen | | | | restate the question in their answer. Example: |
| to each other's interviews. You want their comments | | | | Question:"How did you two meet?" Answer: "We met |
| to be an entertaining surprise when they view the | | | | in a sociology class at the university... Question: "What |
| finished video. Conduct the interviews in a quiet space | | | | are you expecting from the wedding tomorrow?" |
| with adequate lighting. Make sure there are no harsh | | | | Answer: "Tomorrow I'm expecting... Explain to them |
| shadows and/or "hot spots" on the person's face or | | | | that their answers need to be complete statements |
| directly behind them. If you are relying on the | | | | that makes sense all by themselves since the |
| on-camera microphone for the interview, you will have | | | | audience viewing the edited videotape will only hear |
| to move the camera approximately 5-6 feet from the | | | | their answer and not your question. Restating part of |
| subject. Set your camera/tripod at eye level, and then | | | | the question in their answer helps to avoid getting |
| zoom in or out to compose your shot. Using a | | | | responses that don't make any sense. Also remember |
| hand-held microphone, however, will give you the | | | | to keep your questions short. Short questions get long |
| discretion to compose more complex shots by | | | | answers. Long questions get short answers. Don't be |
| increasing your camera's range and flexibilty. Set up a | | | | afraid to ask them to elaborate on any point that |
| a slightly off-center, head shot wide enough to include | | | | seems incomplete. At the end of the interview have |
| their upper torso. Be sure not to cut off the top of their | | | | them each look directly into the camera and blow a |
| heads...or conversely, don't have tons of empty space | | | | kiss, Next, have them pretend to catch a kiss, looking |
| above their heads. Once your shot is set up, resist the | | | | into the camera. And, of course, don't forget to tell |
| temptation to zoom in or out. You will get better | | | | them to, "smile." Using this movie producer "Special |
| interview results by having the bride and groom direct | | | | Feature" technique will not only make your wedding |
| their answers to you as you stand or sit off to the | | | | video unforgettable, but exciting and fun as well! |