Everything You Need for an Effective Corporate Interview Video: Part 1, Pre-Production
- Angela Wolf Video
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Corporate interview videos are one of the most versatile types of branded content. These videos can be filmed and edited relatively simply and cut for a variety of platforms and needs. The key to making such effective videos, however, is quality pre-production. Despite being often overlooked, this essential first step can determine the success of your entire video. For best pre-production practices, keep reading part one of our how-to guide for what makes a good corporate interview video.

1) Strategy: Know Your Why
When interviews feel unfocused or flat, viewers tend to tune out. To ensure that your corporate interview video series stays engaging, take time in pre-production to plan the story and flow of your content. In doing so, consider the overall goal of your video(s) and how the structure of your interviews can best achieve or support it. You'll need to sort out some logistics, such as individual video length, number of videos in the series, specifics on where/how the videos will be shared (websites, email, individual social media platforms, hosts, etc.), and the best interview set-up. Dedicating time in pre-production to ensure a natural flow and authentic story can be the difference that keeps viewers tuning in for more.
2) Scripts: Know Your Content
The right questions allow an interviewee to share their story in a natural, genuine way. That being said, not all interview videos are entirely off the cuff. Employees tend to feel more comfortable on camera if they are provided with their questions before the interview is filmed. This also gives them the opportunity to think through responses and feel confident that they are expressing themselves well. Even if you don't use a script in the strictest sense, you need to have your interview content planned out. Make a list of your questions and any key points you'd like your employees to touch on. Also be aware of any key SEO phrases that someone might say during an interview--social media sites, including YouTube, scrub the words spoken in your video to determine who to recommend it to. Keep these terms in mind without forcing them into the interview.
3) Schedules: Know Your Timing
Timing can be tricky to nail down, so it's crucial you dedicate a portion of your pre-production to get it right. The biggest mistake we see when making corporate interviews is when clients tell us “it’s a 1 minute video, so the interview should only take 5 minutes”. We suggest scheduling far more time than you think you need for filming. This way, the interviewee has plenty of time to get comfortable in front of the camera, be able to answer questions multiple times, and be able to go “off book” without feeling rushed or like they're getting cut off. For short form videos (30-90 seconds), we suggest planning 30 minutes per interview. For longer form videos (2-3 minutes), go for 45-60 minutes per interview. Be sure to factor in plenty of time for camera setup (we plan for a 90 min setup because of the amount of cameras, lights, and microphones we bring). Lastly, don’t forget to schedule breaks! All day filming needs to have a lunch break and the periodic bio break built into the schedules.
What does an interview shoot look like?
We handle the nitty-gritty of corporate interview videos so you can focus on putting your best foot forward on camera. Check out our interview reel here.
Our on-location packages start at $3,000. Click here for more details.
Angela Wolf Video offers corporate video production services near Philadelphia, PA. Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv