How Do You Nail a Corporate Video Interview? The WeMOV Playbook
You nail a corporate video interview by choosing a diverse mix of employees and clients, framing it as a casual chat rather than a formal Q\&A, asking open-ended questions without a script, and filming somewhere quiet that suits the interviewee’s role.
This playbook covers how to choose and reassure your interviewees, what to expect on the day, where to film, our process behind the camera, and how to get the responses you need.
How to Choose the Right Interviewees
We choose interviewees who bring a distinct perspective and credibility either from inside the company or from customers.
A CEO or mid-level manager, for example, gives viewers an insider’s view of the company and a relatable, human glimpse into your business.
Customers, on the other hand, can describe specific outcomes, such as a percentage increase, time saved, or a problem solved. This specificity builds credibility and trust, giving viewers concrete evidence of your value, with the longer relationship adding weight to your claims.
How We Reassure Your Interviewees
We frame the interview as a casual chat rather than a formal Q\&A, and use words like ‘chat’ or ‘conversation’ when asking someone to take part. We reassure them they don’t need to memorise anything or get their answers right the first time. Stumbles, pauses, and the occasional ‘um’ are completely normal. We don’t push for perfection but don’t compromise on quality either.
Interview Length and Timing
The interview itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, plus about 30 minutes for the crew to set up beforehand. We also like to film extra background footage with the interviewee, known as b-roll, which adds about 30 minutes.
The Interviewer’s Role
The interviewer keeps the conversation flowing and helps the interviewee feel at ease, since being on camera is a new experience for most people. Doing this well comes down to a few core practices:
- Set the tone: The interview should feel warm, friendly, and genuine. We start with small talk before filming to help the interviewee relax. Reassuring them there are no wrong answers eases any nerves as the crew sets up.
- Guide the conversation: We engage rather than just reading out questions, stay quiet while the interviewee answers, and pause briefly afterwards instead of talking over their last words. We ask follow-up questions to help go deeper or bring things back on track. When jargon is used, we ask for simpler ways to express it.
- Show you’re listening: We maintain eye contact and use non-verbal cues like nodding and smiling to help the interviewee feel valued and heard.
Top Tips for Corporate Interview Videos
- Give clear instructions. Explain the process, the time commitment, and how the video will be used to avoid uncertainty causing discomfort.
- Ask open-ended questions. Starting with who, what, when, where, or why avoids yes/no answers and gives interviewees room to answer in their own words.
- Don’t script answers. Scripting pressures interviewees to recite rather than speak naturally, and it shows. If we don’t get what we need on a point, we simply ask a similar question a different way.
- Ask one question at a time. Two-part questions create confusion; wait for a complete answer before moving to the next.
- Avoid interrupting. Letting the conversation flow, even when it goes off track, protects the interviewee’s confidence. Steer them back with your next question rather than cutting them off.
- Allow for a break on longer interviews. A few minutes to relax often produces the most natural responses once the pressure feels off, which is why we tend to keep the camera rolling regardless.
Where to Film Your Interviews
The location should suit the interview’s context: the factory floor for a manufacturing employee, a job site for a construction worker, a kitchen for a chef, a boardroom for a CEO.
Also, think about sound. Choose a quiet location, away from busy streets or crowded cafés. Sudden noises like car horns or slamming doors can’t be edited out. If one interrupts a good answer, we simply ask the question again.
What to Wear
Dress to suit the video’s tone and the interviewee’s role: jeans for a casual workplace, PPE on a work site, a suit for a law firm. A CEO with sleeves rolled up, sitting on the edge of a desk, often appears more relatable to viewers than a CEO in a full suit would. A few technical considerations matter too, regardless of the outfit chosen:
- Avoid busy patterns. Fine stripes and busy prints can create a moiré distortion on camera.
- Use solid, neutral, or mid-range colours. Avoid red and pure white.
- Don’t blend into the background. Wear something darker against a light background, and vice versa.
- Keep accessories minimal. Skip anything that could make noise when the interviewee moves, like large statement jewellery.
Start Filming Confident, Genuine Interviews
At WeMOV, we make on-camera interviews comfortable and straightforward for leadership teams and clients across Australia.
Explore our core production capabilities across Australia:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should an interview subject look during a corporate video?
For documentary-style corporate videos and case studies, the subject looks slightly off-camera at the interviewer seated beside the lens. For direct-response promos and keynote speeches, the subject speaks directly into the lens.
How do you help nervous employees feel comfortable on camera?
We start with a casual, conversational warm-up, remind the subject that mistakes can be edited out seamlessly, and ask open-ended questions rather than requiring a memorised script.
