The hardest thing about shooting video..

[karenmeal 0]

..has been doing the interview!!

I'm not a "real" videographer yet, but I'm getting close. My biggest problem is that I get so shy when I start videoing the tandem students and I end up getting all kinds of tongue tied.

Help!

I know you guys have all kinds of great lines that you'll let me use. If I have a sort of script to fall back on I'll feel so much more comfortable talking to them.

So.. tell me your good lines.. good interview techniques for on the ground/gearing up, in the plane, and after they land.. please?

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[jtval 0]

not really lines but more or less the same questions. ( to brealk the ice)


whats your name?
what brought you here?
how long have you wanted to do this?
did you know that showing me your boobies makes me happy?(well, I dont really say that)

usually by the firstfew questions you can start a converstaion with follow ups and comments.


do/es your parents/SO know?
what do they think?

and I always ask, is there anything you want to say to the peoplewatching your dvd?
words of wisdom,questions comments compliants



I like to ask hem if they are happy with the training they received and if they are ready....but I dont always do that.

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[DJL 235]

A lot of students don't like to talk much also so ask open ended questions and allow them to put in as much as they like.

So the bare essentials:

On the ground:

Why did you come out to skydive?
What expectations do you have of this experience?
Why did you wait so long?

In the air:
Now that we're here - what's going through your head?
What's the most important thing in your skydive? (The answer is to smile at the camera.)

On the ground:
Give me one word to describe the experience.

For other things do a search - there are a bunch of threads with one-liners that are fun to use.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[jtval 0]

oh yea, then the in flt interview I ask
annouce the alt. how are you feeling?
anthing you wanna say?
you remeber what to do,right?(usually they say yes)
and I say ARCH HARD AND SMILE BIG, see you out side.



then the landing is the least structured.

I film the landing. if their feet are going to drag I SCREAM IT. "GET THOSE FEET UP."

even though the TM is telling them that, they can't hear it in the video. I want whuffos to understand that it was an error on the students part that they got drug across the landing area.

then it's usually a bunch of hooting and hollering and congrats and Welcome to the sky

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[livendive 8]

You'll get used to it. When I go awhile without shooting a video, I get a little edgy even though I hear all the lines from the other side every weekend. As for jokes, you might find some inspiration here.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[jtval 0]

Quote

what's going through your head?
What's the most important thing in your skydive? (The answer is to smile at the camera.)

I don't like to confued the student. I tell them to arch hard and smile big.

If they seem nervous I tell them tha a few times (on video if I can)

the nervous ones I have an added line.

arch hard , smile big. " in THAT ORDER. If you only do one thing ARCH."


I know that's the TM's job to tell them , and they do. but I like having that on vid so if the jump goes nuts we can show them that they forgot to arch.

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[steveorino 7]

If you are able, get the TM to ask the questions. The disembodied voice of the vidiot is weird IMHO.

There was someone on here that used a puppet -- it cracked me up, but I can't find the thread.

steveOrino

[SquirrelNuts 0]

Humor is the key. You need to try to relax the student...which will also relax you.

I've never seen your instructor before, does he work here?

That harness looks pretty loose.

Wow! That is a lot of handles. Which one do you pull? OK, that one might piss off the instructor.

Wow your brave. I would never jump out of a plane strapped to that guy.

Well, you get the idea. They are worried about their safety. So joke about it.

[simplyputsi 0]

Ok so when I start doing video, one day, that will be me, the guy with the puppet.

Puppets rule!!!

I am so not kidding.

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[steveorino 7]

Some students do well with humor. Some get freaked out. As a vidiot, the TM and I used to have a long running rotutine with set up man and punch lines. Since I became a TM I realized some students need humor and for some humor is the worst approach.

steveOrino

[karenmeal 0]

I know I'll get used to it eventually.. but preparing for what I'm going to say will make things go sooo much smoother.

In an interview that I did last weekend (For a video that was purchased) here's what I said:

Hey xxx! What brought you out here today?

So how many of you guys err all of you, how many friends did you come with?

Ok, well.. I can't think of anymore questions to ask you.. so I guess I'll see you in the sky.. ok.... bye!







Geezzz.. people were making fun of me when I was editing that video! It just feels like there is so much pressure on me to be witty- it just ends up making my brain shut down. Especially with people watching me, with the camera running, with people getting ready to load the plane... etc etc.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[livendive 8]

Quote

Some students do well with humor. Some get freaked out. As a vidiot, the TM and I used to have a long running rotutine with set up man and punch lines. Since I became a TM I realized some students need humor and for some humor is the worst approach.

Most students like humor, it's just a matter of what type. Corny, black, etc. When I've got a student who isn't liking the joking, period, I'll either say something privately to the vidiot or I'll make a silent gesture when the camera is off. Teamwork is where it's at either way.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[jtval 0]

Quote

Some students do well with humor. Some get freaked out. As a vidiot, the TM and I used to have a long running rotutine with set up man and punch lines. Since I became a TM I realized some students need humor and for some humor is the worst approach.

That and sexual innuendo's are pretty stupid.
there is maybe abou t1% of women who get a kick out of that.

then when the TM grabs their boobs or someone says something perv'd they can't show the vid to their fam/friends.

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[monkycndo 0]

Make a cheat sheet of questions you can wear on a wrist band until you have them locked in your brain. The student won't see them and since they are right there, you won't be nervous trying to remember. Makes for a better product.

Just a thought.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[karenmeal 0]

Oh.. I will have no perving on the tandem students in my video!

Them bitches be safe with me.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[karenmeal 0]

Yeah.. I'm going to make a script sort of thing (that I can follow if I get really nervous) and keep it in my jumpsuit pocket!

Hopefully they won't wonder why I'm having to study something on the plane ride.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[jtval 0]

Quote

I know I'll get used to it eventually.. but preparing for what I'm going to say will make things go sooo much smoother.

In an interview that I did last weekend (For a video that was purchased) here's what I said:

Hey xxx! What brought you out here today?

So how many of you guys err all of you, how many friends did you come with?

Ok, well.. I can't think of anymore questions to ask you.. so I guess I'll see you in the sky.. ok.... bye!

Don't worry so much about theinterview. talk to the person.
The way I look at it is these are people who are in a great state of mind. ever go hiking and meet a disgruntled person? NO. that's becausre they are there to have a good time.


So during the "interview I have 1-2 minutes to introduce myself and get to know that person. afer that its like being a tour guide. you wanna show them the best part of your sport.

( usually I have time to talk to the students before hand, but I prefer it if I don't. If i ask the same questions on camera it looks odd)

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[monkycndo 0]

I'd say stick with a wrist band. Don't need to make your procedures any more complicated by digging for and putting away a script. "Remembered to get the script but forgot to turn on the camera."
If its on your wrist, turn your arm and there it is.

K.I.S.S

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[jtval 0]

Quote

Oh.. I will have no perving on the tandem students in my video!


Them bitches be safe with me.

Well you can't stop random people from making comments but I try not to put it in the video.


As far as a scirpt, I have a rough draft one bu you'll find that after a few youy get comfortable walking up to srangers and being "on" for he camera.
you talk in a more excied tone, youre more animated etc. (even hough the cam doesnt show you, the people react)


the interaction doesnt stop in the sky though.

I blow kisses, wave, stick my thumbs in my ears and wave my fingers, etc. even thogh the cam doesnt see you it sees the student have a kick ass time.


EDIT: my J,T,and spacebar are dying on me. that's what happens when you puppy jumps on your keyboard

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[steveorino 7]

I had the same question two years ago.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1643010;search_string=interview;#1643010

steveOrino

[indyz 1]

I had the same problem starting out. I can't really think on my feet when I'm doing the interview, and I'd get myself into a corner and just sort of stop. Very awkward. You will eventually get a good repetoire of questions that you can use, and as you get more comfortable you will get better at improvising.

The only other advice I have is that most people don't like hearing themselves talk. If the interview is a little short they won't care.

[pope 0]

All you have to do is remember what you are supposed to be doing: Telling all the people watching their DVD (including the student!) the STORY of that person's skydiving experience. A bunch of non-sequiter shots might be great shots, but probably isn't an accurate representation of their experience at the dropzone.

You also have to remember that you ARE A PART of their experience at the dropzone, camera on or off.

These customers are paying a lot of money to document their experience at your dropzone, and it's up to YOU to make that happen for them. The "interviews" are just a quick controlled way to get that story told effectively.
My best 3 tips are:
1. listen to what they say--often times they'll cue you in on what should be said next. Ask open-ended questions whenever possible.
2. keep it short, and don't EVER let a "talker" take control over the camera time!
3. Be creative! People always feel like they've gotten more for their money if it's not formulaic feeling.

I've used a puppet many times--it's a lot of fun, but it's not for every customer.
pope

[Fast 0]

Quote

The only other advice I have is that most people don't like hearing themselves talk. If the interview is a little short they won't care.

Yep and the ones that do want to hear themselves will blab on regardless of what you ask.

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[karenmeal 0]

This is a good point about people not liking to talk on video. I'm one of those people who hates to talk on video! Which is one of the reasons doing the interview is hard for me - I know that in editing later I'll have to hear it.

Thanks for the good suggestions guys...


any more?? I literally am going to write a script based on suggestions. How about the interview in the plane?

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[jtval 0]

I already posted about interview in the plane but the BIGGEST thing you can do is get the camera in their face and encourage them to speak loudly.

I saw one interview where the videot was in the back and screamed to the front of the plane to interview. neddless to say you couldn't hear a word of it.


on top of that the person wasn't even in the video you saw the top of her head for most of the video.

I had to re edit it for the girl becasue she was a 5th grade teacher and the TM grabbed her boobs in freefall ( it was spoken about on the ground and she didnt seem to mind. I think she didnt think he would ) but there was about 20 minutes of sexual innuendo and 1.5 minutes of usefull footage.

I re-edited the video plus I added a small clip of additional fun jumping so she could show her class.

she loved it. I'm still waiting to hear what the clas thought.

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