I spent ten years living in East Highland and know the issues the neighborhood faces all too well. Doug,the speaker in this interview, was my next door neighbor the entire time. Thus, National Night Out was a great opportunity to "go home" and also work on a video piece. After interviewing Doug, and getting video of him walking down the street, I decided to skip the talking head shot and trust the viewer would understand Doug was the person walking towards us. After that, and a few other shots with him, it wasn't necessary to show him again. I also decided to do a quick "drive-by" through the neighborhood, holding the video camera to get a really bad version of the opening sequence for The Sopranos. Next time, I'll have someone else drive to make the experience a little safer for all those involved. From this piece, I can suggest:
....Definitely shoot your interviews from a tripod. The shot is steadier, and the subject can also speak to a real person, not just a lens.They'll feel more comfortable and you'll get a better interview.
....Take your visual cues from the interview(so when possible, do it first).Doug mentioned the dilapidated homes.It was my cue to shoot some to go with the audio.
....Go early and stay late. Getting there early gave me time to do the interview, mull it over, and look for some matching visuals. Staying late, i.e. doing the driving tour, gave me a little something different to help set the scene.
....Steal ideas from the real pros.If you see a shot you like in the movies or on television, try replicating it. You"ll most likely fall short, but can learn something in the process and learn to appreciate the real artists who create these.