How to Shoot an Interview with A Roll and B Roll

Objectives

• Interview someone about what they do for a job
• Gather footage that highlights the context of the location(s)
• Edit the A Roll answers with your B Roll footage

Challenge 

Your challenge is to create a 60 to 90-second video, by asking someone about the work that they do. Think of an on-the-street reporter that asks random people about their job. Develop interesting, follow-up questions and record their response. Make it look as authentic as possible, using their work location, and gathering contextual footage.

Considerations

• Does the location have adequate lighting?
• Does the location allow quality audio recording?
• How can you compose your A Roll shot?
• What kinds of B Roll footage can you capture (think audio as well as video)?

Instructions

Shoot your interview in close-up , no more than shoulders of the body should be visible beyond the face. Try to get your respondent talking and sharing their thoughts and opinions about their work in some detail. You can edit later. Pay attention to the environment and look for potential B Roll footage. Be creative and use the five shot sequence method of gathering footage. Also, consider recording some footage during your informal chatter, as you let your subject know the question and prepare to capture their answer.

Tools

Use your smartphone to capture the video footage. Be sure to get close to the action when using the five shot method, especially because it will provide you with greater audio.

There are a number of video editing apps which are free, and everyone with an iPhone likely has access to iOS iMovie with a recent purchase of the phone. Feel free to choose the one that best suits your needs. It might be worth exploring some of the options before making a decision, and don't feel compelled to buy anything.

Requirements

• Shoot all of your own video footage
• Shoot at least three takes of each shot in the five shot sequence

Pre-Production: Storyboarding the Door Scene

Objectives

• Create visual storytelling that communicates ideas in relation to the media and techniques used. 
• Identify and synthesize principles, both synthesized and analytical, and visual storytelling techniques.

Challenge

Storyboard a scripted scenario for the Door Scene in the most visually effective way you can conceive. However, when you create your storyboard, think of a creative, entertaining or surprising new ending for the scenario. The entire film must follow the original script until the character opens the door. From that point on, you are on your to create a new ending within the limitations. Also, write a detailed description of your new ending.

Scripted Scenario

A person is about to open a door. The person hears a sound and becomes mildly concerned. The person finds the door locked and searches for his or her keys. The person hears the sound again and becomes visibly apprehensive. As the filmmaker, your goal is to build tension and growing panic, using any visual element or device that you can think of. The film closes with the person finally opening the door and getting to the other side safely. Here, you want to communicate to the audience the character’s feeling of relief and safety.

Limitations

• Original script parameters and limitations.
• Neither the character nor the audience ever sees the source of the sound
• The film can have only one actor
• The film cannot exceed 90 seconds
• The entire film must take place within five feet of either side of the door.
• You must storyboard and use at least five different shots.
• Every detail must be included in your storyboard. It must be so visually clear that a stranger, unfamiliar with the scenario, could take your storyboard and shoot the film exactly as you visualized it when creating your storyboard.
• You may write descriptions for each storyboard panel to help with your screen direction. However, as much as you can, try to communicate the information visually. Use your written descriptions to scaffold your visuals, not replace them.

Instructions

Complete a storyboard of the Door Scene independently. Be prepared to defend your creative choices. Be ready to submit your storyboard with written description, at the end of class.

Resources

• Storyboard Template
• Pixar Storyboarding Mini Doc
• Storyboarding For People Who Can't Draw

Sequences to Consider (Progress One Step at a Time)

• Step Forward
• Establishing/Wide > Full > Medium > Close Up  (camera - far to near)
• Tease
• Close Up > Truck/Zoom to Full (camera - near to far)
• Inserts
• Medium > Close Up [thematic cutaway connection] > Medium (camera - far to close to far)
• Corresponding
• Medium > Medium [size, angles, relationships stay consistent] (camera - remains consistent and paired)
• Documentary
• Close Up [hands] > Close Up [face] > Wide > Over the Shoulder > Unusual Angle (camera - near to far)

Reference

This lesson has been adapted from The 21st Century Educator's Handbook by American Film Institute Screen Education, 2006.