If you have a "personal celebrity" (or celebrities) you want to capture on camera, but you're not quite ready for the full Posterity Media production experience, I encourage you to conduct your own interview! Why wait to capture some important nuggets of your family history? While it's likely you would achieve better video and audio quality using a smartphone (see my 3 Tips for Recording Smartphone Interviews and/or Complete Guide to Recording Smartphone Interviews), it might not always be practical to be in the same physical room as the person or people you intend to interview. In that case, recording an interview over a video conferencing app like Zoom could be a great alternative.
See below for my complete guide to capturing the best possible interview over Zoom, or find just the highlights here: 3 Tips for Recording Interviews Over Zoom.
1) Getting familiar with Zoom
The world has learned a lot about how to use Zoom since 2020 - and it might be the case that you already know everything you need to know to confidently run and record a Zoom session. If that's you, move on to tip #2. If you are not quite a Zoom pro yet, or are even totally starting from scratch, know that Zoom has a huge amount of training materials available on their website. If you want to start from the beginning, try Getting Started with Zoom Meetings.
Assuming you are familiar with general Zoom functionality, here are the key things I think you need to know:
Zoom has two products, Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinar - you want to use Zoom Meetings.
You will need to create a Zoom account, but you can do this for free. Once you've created that account, you will have the ability to log in, schedule a meeting, copy and paste the link to send to your interview subject, and initiate that meeting at the designated time.
You do not need to have a paid Zoom account to successfully host a session and record an interview. However, your session will be limited to 45 minutes and you will only have the ability to record locally - meaning the recording will be downloaded directly to your computer after your session (not saved in the cloud).
A free account may be fine for most people! Especially if your interview is informal, when time runs out you can always start a new session and pick things up from there. You will then have 2 video files saved to your computer.
A paid account (starts at $15.99/month) can be nice so you don't have to worry about the time limit and will have the ability to record to Zoom's cloud - this also offers a variety of handy recording format options (more on that below).
I definitely recommend that both you and your subject use a desktop or laptop computer, and that you both download the Zoom app (technically called the "Zoom Desktop Client") on your computers for the smoothest experience.
**It can be very easy to forget to hit the record button on Zoom!! Locate the record button and set any kind of reminder you need to click it just before you start your interview. Consult Zoom's Getting Started with Recording article for more.**
2) Testing before the interview
It may go without saying, and applies to any media production scenario, but don’t wait until the day of your interview to try any of these tips. Ask a friend to hop on a Zoom session with you and record some samples. Watch your recording back to see how everything looks and sounds. You might have thought you had everything figured out but when you actually watch the clips it turns out you need to find a new location or want to pick up an accessory to make things even better. So read on with this tip in mind throughout!
3) Optimizing your technology
There are many technology variables that come together to create a smooth video conference. It's entirely possible that your setup is already optimized to the point where everything works just fine - but if you're starting from the beginning or running into issues here are some things to keep in mind.
Choose a device. I already mentioned in #1 that I recommend using computers rather than mobile devices. Not only do I find a computer easier to stabilize your camera, but, if you are using the free version of Zoom, you will also only be able to save a recording of your session (via the Local Recording feature) using a desktop or laptop computer.
If you have a paid version of Zoom, you will have the ability to initiate a Cloud Recording using any device - and if you're more comfortable using a smartphone or tablet then by all means go for it. However, I definitely recommend picking up a smartphone tripod or other type of apparatus that makes it easier to stabilize the device.
Check Internet speed. You'll want steady and reliable Internet service on both ends of the conversation. The minimum recommended speed for video calls is typically 10 megabytes-per-second, though honestly, the faster the better. You can check your speed by clicking the "Go" button on SpeedTest.net.
If you're using Wifi, you will likely find that the speed will vary by your location - even by a few feet - usually correlated with how far you are from your wireless router. I generally prioritize Internet speed over the aesthetics of any location. Another benefit to using a computer is the ability to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your router - removing the environmental variable of Wifi.
Update software. It's a best practice to update any software to ensure optimal functioning. Zoom will regularly update itself upon opening the app - but if you find that things are not operating smoothly (even after a standard shut down / restart of all devices), consider looking to see if your device's operating system is due for an update.
Optional add-ons. Yet another benefit of using a computer is the ability to easily upgrade your camera and/or microphone using USB ports. Most modern cameras and microphones built-in to a computer should be sufficient, but if you're looking to enhance your recording you could try a webcam like the Logitech C920x (this and most webcams also has a microphone embedded in it) and/or the Blue Yeti USB microphone. Depending on your specific computer, you may need additional adapters to connect these peripherals. Once they are connected, if Zoom does not automatically select them as your default microphone and/or camera, you may need to adjust your audio and video settings.
It is also possible to add peripheral microphones to smartphones and tablets. You may want to try a wireless or wired lapel microphone or a larger shotgun mic.
4) Choosing the right location and visual look
Technically, you will be working with two locations - or even more if you have multiple interview subjects joining from different locations. While you may want to spend slightly more time optimizing your subjects' locations, it's worth ensuring you have your own comfortable spot that will look and sound good during the session. Even if you edit your recording later and remove the footage of yourself, having things look good on your end will contribute to your subjects having a better, more conversational experience.
Find a quiet, comfortable space. You will all want spots where you can sit comfortably for the length of the interview, will be clearly visible on camera, and any stray noise is controllable. You don’t want anyone sitting next to an open window where a lawnmower or ambulance could go by. You also don’t want anyone in a space that has a lot of echo - avoid rooms with a lot of hard surfaces or super high ceilings. And you'll want to have the ability to turn off any noisy appliances like air conditioners if needed.
Pay attention to lighting. Modern webcams should automatically adjust to basic lighting conditions, but they will not be able to overcome extremely bright light nor utter darkness. Your locations should take this into account: a room that gets good sunlight during the interview or has a few lights you can flick on should be fine. When your subject appears in Zoom you should get a sense for whether any lighting needs to change. For instance, if their face appears dark, try having them move to another location, or reposition a lamp to sit behind their camera.
Find balance in your visual framing. When framing, you generally want to make things “look good” and “feel natural”. More technically, my recommendation would be to have your subject position their camera so their eyes are centered horizontally, and sit just above the center of their screen vertically, like this:
If you will be interviewing two people that are appearing on the same camera, have them sit as close together as possible and arrange their camera so the horizontal center is between their heads, and both of their eyes sit just above the vertical center, like this:
5) Asking the right questions / getting great answers
Ok! With your technical setup out of the way, now for the good stuff.
Make your subject(s) comfortable. Your first priority throughout this process should be the comfort of your subject(s) - the more at ease they are, the more fun they are having, the better footage you will collect. Part of this is physical comfort (encourage them to sit in a good chair and have water within arm's reach) but another big factor is your own preparedness. Even if this is someone you know very well - adding a touch of seriousness and formality (not too much - you don't want to scare anyone or stress them out) the more thoughtful your subject(s) will be in their responses.
Build your question list. This, of course, is the heart of your interview. What do you want to ask your subject(s)? What will get the best answers? What do they want to talk about? What do they not want to talk about? I have a few standard question lists that I use as a starting point (for instance, Posterity Media Question List for Interviewing Married Couple). You are welcome to use these and customize the set to fit your particular subject(s).
Overall though, you want to keep the length of your question list manageable - it should be thoughtful and include the range of topics you want to cover, but it should not be so long that it would overwhelm your subject(s) when they first see it. Keep it to a page. And while you may have some very specific questions or family stories you plan to ask about over the course of the interview, make a note about those to yourself, but keep the official question list more generic. This will make the list easier for your subject(s) to digest when preparing themselves.
Prepare your subject(s). Subjects will be less anxious if they know what to expect. I always share the list of interview questions along with my Interview Prep One-Sheet in advance, but I emphasize they should not think too hard about their answers or try and write out any responses word-for-word. This can be tempting - especially if your subject is concerned about getting historical facts exactly right. But I promise it is very tough for someone who has never done it before to both memorize a scripted answer and perform it into a camera in a way that anyone else will want to watch in the future (actors are professionals for a reason!). Your subjects will give a much better performance if they answer the questions conversationally - even if it means having to pause to think about something briefly during the interview or even answer the same question multiple times.
Conduct the interview. This is arguably the most challenging part of all. Being a great interviewer takes skill, talent, and a lot of practice. My best advice is to just dive in and see how it goes! If all else fails, you can go right down your list of questions asking one after another and you’re probably going to get some decent footage. The more you conduct interviews, the more you can start to try more advanced elements: adding spontaneous follow-up questions, reordering questions on the fly, silently reacting to your subject(s) to keep them engaged without stepping on their answers, coaching your subject(s) to start their answers with part of the question, leaving space at the end of answers to make life easier in the edit, trying to ensure everyone is having FUN, etc. There’s actually a whole lot to consider here! But these are certainly not needed to capture a meaningful interview.
However, if you do one thing beyond simply asking questions, make sure your subjects have a clear opportunity to take a break. Even if they seem ok, it’s a good practice to pause after maybe 20 or 30 minutes and ask. This not only makes it very clear that they can take some time if needed, but even if they are ok to continue it will be a nice reset of the energy in the session.
6) Some advanced tips
For those that have mastered the basics, here are some ways to take your Zoom recording to the next level. None of these are a requirement, but if you're having fun and wanted to take things even further take a look below.
Upgrade your visual look. There are limits to the amount of detail your Zoom camera will pickup, but it can still be worth experimenting with dressing up the area behind your subject to make things more visually interesting (adding flowers, artwork, other decor). You could also try playing around with lighting - whether that’s moving a few lights around in the room. If you're interested in getting deeper on lighting strategies this article from PlayPlay is a good starting point.
Figure out a good way to store and share your footage. Video files are large. My first suggestion is to backup your recording by transferring a copy to an external hard drive. You could also archive the footage on a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Box - though know that the size of the files will likely mean you’ll need to have a paid account for these services. Yet another option is to upload your footage to a video sharing site like YouTube. Not only is YouTube free, but sharing is as easy as sending a YouTube link. And if this option sounds good, but you’d prefer your video not be available publicly on YouTube, you can adjust the privacy settings to be Unlisted - meaning anyone you send the link to can view it, but it will not be searchable on YouTube.
Edit your footage. It’s extremely rare that a raw interview is entertaining during every second from start to finish. Almost every recorded interview is edited to some degree before being shown or shared - significant pauses removed, perhaps even whole questions/answers, etc. However, this topic is complex enough that it deserves its own separate guide - and requires access to and skill with video editing software. Your computer likely has a basic video editor (iMovie on Macs, Clipchamp on PCs), but if you’re curious to learn more about the practice of editing, Adobe (the makers of video editing software, Premiere Pro) has a very basic overview here. If it piques your interest I would encourage you to do some googling and look through the myriad videos on YouTube that will walk you through it!
7) Conclusion
The last thing I'll mention: all of these rules are made to be broken. Anything I've listed is a suggestion based on my experience. You may find that you actually prefer a different sound or a different look than I do - which is great! To me, producing quality media is about getting adept enough to have your own opinions. Especially if you're brand new to Zoom, getting to that point might involve a good amount of trial and error and troubleshooting. Don't get discouraged!
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention that if, instead, you'd prefer to not have to think about any of the above, and come away with a professionally-produced video interview of your loved one(s), Posterity Media is here! Please be in touch through the Contact form at the bottom of our home page or reach out to me directly at john@posterity.media.
Hello, I would like you to supplement your article with programs that allow you to record your screen. It would be great if you could tell us about some free screen recorder and attach a link to it. I think this will be useful to many readers of this article.