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

BEHIND THE SCENES

Behind The Scenes

Apex Entertainment features the new Dark Ride in Virginia Beach

Read more →

Teleprompter vs Documentary Style

Teleprompter vs Documentary Style Interviews

Read more →