Teleprompter vs Documentary Style Interviews

What style is best for your video?

Sometimes you don’t know until the red light is blinking. Once our mental checklist of video and audio gear is all setup it’s time to interview. After the first question, you know instantly whether the person is comfortable or not. A true professional can help put them at ease. In many cases, documentary style is the best way to do that. Sometimes it’s not and people don’t like to answer on the fly.

After thousands of interviews, this is what I’ve learned.

DOCUMENTARY STYLE INTERVIEWS

Screenshot from a recent interview. GEAR: CANON C200

DOCUMENTARY STYLE PROS:
Easier to talk to a person
People forget about the camera
It’s more of a Conversation
Comes of more natural
Great for adding lower third graphics

DOCUMENTARY STYLE CONS:
Eye contact isn’t to the viewer

Screenshot from a recent interview using a teleprompter. GEAR: CANON C200

TELEPROMPTER PROS:
Eye contact with your viewers
Precise and Consolidated Word
Compliant Safe
Grammar Check
Can be approved before the shoot

TELEPROMPTER CONS:
Not everyone can read from a teleprompter
This is a trained skill
Energy levels can change
Eyes can look like your reading

Personally, I like both for different types of videos. Additional footage (B-Roll) can be used to cover up mistakes or even show the viewer what they’re speaking about.

Justin