Introduction:
Why Interview Videos Matter
Interview-driven videos tap into something real. When someone speaks from the heart on camera – sharing their experiences, motivations, or even quirks – you catch a glimpse of the person behind the brand. Seeing real employees or customers talk about your business helps viewers see your company as more than a logo; it shows the humans and values it represents. This kind of transparency is invaluable in an age where consumers seek brands that are open and honest. By putting a face (or several) on your brand, interview videos make your message authentic and relatable. For example, hearing your lead engineer excitedly talk about how she needs her coffee before morning coding is far more engaging (and endearing) than reading a dry bullet point on a brochure. It’s the personal stories that resonate.
Such authenticity directly builds trust with your audience. A viewer is more likely to trust a company when they see real people – not actors – speaking sincerely about their work or customer experience. “Interviews add a humanizing quality to your video campaign by putting a face on your business,” one agency explains. That human connection can also inspire action. (For instance, 57% of people who watch a nonprofit’s video go on to donate, showing the power of a genuine story to drive emotion and response.) In a B2B context, a candid interview with a satisfied client or a passionate team member can be the credibility boost that convinces a prospect to take the next step.
Finally, interview-driven videos help your brand stand out by being memorable. Viewers tend to recall emotional, story-driven content more than facts and figures. A well-crafted interview video, with its mix of personal narrative and visuals, can leave a lasting impression. People remember up to 95% of a message when they watch it on video, compared to just 10% via text – so those heartfelt anecdotes and insights shared on camera will stick with your audience. In short, interview videos matter because they engage both heart and mind: they make your brand feel human, trustworthy, and worth remembering.
Storytelling That Speaks Naturally
One big advantage of interviews is that they allow your brand’s story to unfold naturally, in an unscripted way. Instead of starting with a rigid script, you start with a conversation. The narrative comes directly from the interviewee’s own words, giving the video a natural rhythm and warmth that scripted videos often lack. You might be surprised how eloquent and compelling people can be when they’re talking about something they truly care about – no script needed! The key is guiding the discussion with good questions and then letting the person’s genuine voice shine through. The result is a story that feels organic and true to life, rather than “corporate” or canned.
From a production standpoint, we take those candid interviews and shape them into a cohesive story in post-production. It’s a bit like documentary filmmaking for your brand. We’ll trim and assemble the best quotes and insights from the conversation to form a clear narrative arc or highlight specific themes. And we don’t just show a talking head the whole time – we pair the interview audio with meaningful visuals (known as B-roll) to paint a fuller picture. For example, if an employee talks about the company’s volunteer work, we might cut to footage of the team at a charity event. If a customer mentions how your product improved their workflow, we might show a clip of them using it on-site. These visual cutaways reinforce the story being told and keep viewers visually engaged. (Even the most engaging speaker can’t carry an entire video alone – supporting footage helps bring their story to life.)
The beauty of this approach is that the content feels authentic and conversational. There’s an intimacy to an interview-driven video; the audience almost feels like they’re eavesdropping on a real conversation or getting a peek “behind the scenes” into your world. This informal, story-first style often resonates more deeply than a perfectly scripted ad, because it doesn’t feel like an ad – it feels like real people sharing real experiences. By embracing a natural storytelling approach, you show that your brand values honesty and humanity over slick sales pitches. And that is a message audiences in 2025 are definitely here for.
Our Approach: Drawing Out the Heartbeat
At Lundblade House Productions, we often say our job in an interview is “drawing out the heartbeat” of your brand – those genuine emotions, values, and little stories that truly define who you are. The key to doing that is making the interview process feel like a friendly conversation, not a high-pressure performance. We know most people aren’t polished TV stars, and that’s perfectly okay (in fact, it’s ideal!). Our role is to create a comfortable space where people feel safe being themselves on camera. That means keeping the atmosphere relaxed and positive: we’ll chat with the interviewee casually before rolling, let them know it’s fine to pause or rephrase, and even share a laugh to break the ice. By setting that tone, we often find even a camera-shy person will open up and speak from the heart once they realize it’s just a conversation. A little encouragement and coaching goes a long way toward helping a nervous subject shine on camera.
During the interview, we listen actively and patiently. We’re not afraid to stray from the question list if the conversation heads somewhere interesting – some of the best moments happen spontaneously. We also pay attention to those little details that make a story special: an interviewee’s eyes lighting up when they talk about a project they’re proud of, or the warm smile that comes across their face when they mention a client’s success. Capturing those unscripted reactions and emotions on film is gold. Those are the moments viewers will remember and connect with. Because in the end, people don’t remember corporate taglines – they remember people. They remember that enthusiastic engineer who loves her craft, or that one customer who got a bit emotional talking about how your service helped their business. (Like that one gentleman from accounting who teared up reminiscing about the team holiday potluck – we love that guy, and we bet viewers will too!)
Our interview-driven approach aligns with our overall story-first philosophy. We’re not here to force a marketing message; we’re here to let real stories emerge and then amplify them through film. By “drawing out the heartbeat” of your brand, we ensure that the final video isn’t just informative – it’s personal, memorable, and true to you. When viewers watch it, they’ll feel like they’ve met the people behind the brand and gotten a sense of what makes you tick. That emotional connection is exactly what makes interview videos so powerful.
Do’s and Don’ts for Filming Authentic Interviews
Interview videos might look effortless on screen, but getting that genuine, engaging result takes smart preparation. Here are some key do’s and don’ts to ensure your on-camera interviews come across authentic and professional:
- Do: Choose interviewees who are genuinely passionate and comfortable talking, even if they aren’t the most senior person. The best spokesperson is someone who can speak in their own words and with enthusiasm about the topic. It’s okay if they’re not a polished speaker – what matters is that they’re genuine and relatable.
- Don’t: Select people only based on their title or role if they’re camera-shy or overly guarded. A high-level executive who gives one-word answers will be less effective than an entry-level employee who lights up with real stories. Pick personality over position for on-camera roles.
- Do: Brief your interviewee on the topics and let them know the general direction, but keep it conversational. Encourage them to speak naturally and share anecdotes. The more it feels like a normal chat, the better the final video will be.
- Don’t: Script the answers for them or make them memorize lines. An interview is not a teleprompter reading. Over-rehearsing will make it sound stiff and fake. It’s fine to prepare bullet-point notes or practice key messages, but avoid a word-for-word script – authenticity beats a perfect script every time.
- Do: Create a comfortable setting and rapport. Take a few minutes before filming to break the ice – have a casual conversation, share a coffee, whatever puts the person at ease. During the interview, listen actively and give positive feedback (smile and nod!) to encourage them. A relaxed, confident subject will tell better stories.
- Don’t: Turn the interview into an interrogation. Firing off questions robotically or rushing the person will ruin the vibe. Also, don’t be afraid of silences – give the interviewee time to think and finish their thoughts. This isn’t a live news interview, so you can always edit out long pauses later.
- Do: Pay attention to the environment. Choose a location that adds context and character – for example, their workspace, a showroom, or somewhere relevant to the story. A backdrop with some depth (books on a shelf, machinery running, people working in the background) can make the video more visually interesting and put the person in their element. Always do a quick sound check in that space and eliminate distractions (no loud AC hum or phones ringing).
- Don’t: Film in a dull or noisy spot. A plain gray wall or sterile boardroom not only looks boring, it can also make the interviewee feel stiff. And nothing derails a great interview like a lawnmower revving outside or a cacophony of office chatter. Avoid environments with a lot of background noise or interruptions – they are headache for both the interviewer and the audience.
- Do: Invest in good audio and lighting. A lapel mic or boom mic to capture clear sound is a must – audio quality can make or break an interview video. Soft, diffused lighting (like a key light at 45° and some fill light) will make your subject look their best. When they feel they look good and everything is professional, they’ll be more confident on camera.
- Don’t: Skimp on sound or assume “the camera mic is fine.” Poor sound kills an interview – nothing says “amateur video” like muffled voices or background hum. Monitor your audio with headphones during recording. Likewise, don’t rely on harsh overhead office lights alone; they can make anyone look bad. Take time to set up lighting and test your gear before you start the interview.
- Do: Shoot more than you think you need, and get variety. If possible, use two cameras (one close, one wider angle) so you can cut between angles in editing. Also gather B-roll footage: film some cutaways of the person working, the office, product shots, etc. These will help tremendously in editing to cover cuts and add visual interest. Supporting footage that illustrates what the person is talking about will keep viewers engaged.
- Don’t: Rely on one long talking-head shot and call it a day. Even a great interview can lose impact if it’s just one static angle. If you only have one camera, consider re-asking a few key questions to capture additional angles or close-ups after the main take. And make sure to shoot some relevant extra footage (even simple office scenes or smiling reactions) rather than having nothing but the interviewee’s face for three minutes straight.
By following these do’s and don’ts, you’ll set yourself up for an interview video that feels authentic and keeps your audience watching. The goal is to let the real person and story shine through, while avoiding the common pitfalls that could distract or bore your viewers. Nail that balance, and you’ll have a powerful piece of content that truly gives your brand a human voice.
Ready to put your brand’s humanity front and center? Interview-driven videos can transform how people see your business – from faceless company to a team of real, trustworthy people with a story to tell. If you’re excited to humanize your marketing, our team at Lundblade House Productions is here to help you make it happen. We specialize in crafting authentic, story-first videos for businesses in Wichita and beyond. Book a free consult with us today, and let’s start planning an interview video that brings your brand’s heartbeat to the screen!
FAQs
What is an interview-driven video?
Who should we feature in an interview video for our brand?
ou can feature anyone who can authentically represent your brand’s story or message. Common choices are company leaders (to share vision and values), employees or team members (to showcase company culture or expertise), and customers/clients (to provide testimonials or success stories). The key is to choose individuals who are comfortable speaking and have genuine passion or insight – someone whose authenticity will resonate on camera. They don’t need to be professional speakers; in fact, a bit of natural unscripted charm often makes the video more relatable.
Should we script the answers for a video interview?
It’s best not to script exact answers. Instead, prepare an outline or list of key questions/topics beforehand. In the interview, let the conversation flow naturally around those points. You want the person to explain things in their own words – that’s what makes it authentic. Over-scripting can make them sound like they’re reciting lines, which viewers will sense. It’s fine to rehearse general talking points or do a brief practice, but keep the actual filming conversational. If they miss a point, the interviewer can always prompt them with a follow-up question. Remember, you can edit the footage later, so it’s more important to capture honest, comfortable dialogue than a word-perfect script.
How do you make interviewees comfortable on camera?
Making interview subjects comfortable is all about creating a low-pressure, friendly environment. Start by having an informal chat before you begin filming – no cameras, just a personal connection to break the ice. Explain the process so they know what to expect (letting them know it’s not a live broadcast and that mistakes can be edited out is a big relief!). During the interview, the interviewer should adopt a warm, encouraging demeanor: listen actively, nod, smile, and make it feel like a two-way conversation. Also, minimize the number of people and distractions on set if possible – a quieter, controlled setting helps people open up. Sometimes even small things like offering water, adjusting the room temperature, or doing a quick practice question can help the person relax. The more at ease they feel, the more naturally they’ll speak on camera.
How long should an interview video be?
Sources
Humanizing your brand through interviews — Interview-style videos add a human quality to your marketing by “putting a face on your business.” (iprimamedia.com)
Full URL: https://www.iprimamedia.com/video-production-portfolio/
Real stories inspire action — 57 % of people who watch nonprofit videos go on to donate, and viewers retain 95 % of a message when watching it on video versus 10 % when reading text. (nonprofitssource.com, forbes.com)
Full URL 1: https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/social-media/
Full URL 2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/yec/2017/07/13/how-to-incorporate-video-into-your-social-media-strategy/
Trust and authenticity are key — 81 % of consumers need to trust a brand before buying, and 86 % say authenticity is crucial to the brands they support. (influencermarketinghub.com)
Full URL: https://influencermarketinghub.com/branding-statistics/
Genuine over polished speakers — Choose passionate, willing interviewees; forcing reluctant people leads to flat, unengaging videos. (plvisuals.com)
Full URL: https://plvisuals.com/corporate-video-testimonial-tips/
Don’t script, have a conversation — Be prepared to go off-script so the interview feels natural and spontaneous. (playplay.com)
Full URL: https://playplay.com/blog/tips-for-video-interview/
Interesting settings > sterile backdrops — Pick locations with depth and context; avoid dull walls and noisy rooms. (lifewire.com)
Full URL: https://www.lifewire.com/produce-a-video-interview-1082056
Audio quality matters — Poor sound can ruin an otherwise great interview; invest in proper microphones and monitoring. (jhmotion.com)
Full URL: https://www.jhmotion.com/post/the-impact-of-sound-why-audio-quality-is-crucial-in-video-production
Use B-roll and multiple angles — B-roll enriches the story and prevents monotony, helping maintain viewer engagement. (descript.com)
Full URL: https://www.descript.com/blog/article/using-b-roll-a-beginners-guide