How do I edit video footage from an interview?

Question

I was asked to produce a set of video interviews for a friend's wedding consisting of individual single-subject interviews (the interviewer is not on camera or mic) with the bride, groom, close family, and wedding party.The questions were prepared, the lighting and scenery set up, the subjects miked for sound, the cameras positioned, the interviews conducted, and now I have a bunch of video files sitting on my hard drive.**In short my question is, "How do I edit together interview footage?"** To word it in more detail: My experience and background is weighted towards shooting video rather than editing it. I have access to all the software I might need and I know the basics of how to use it (Premier Pro, Sony Vegas), but I don't really know what I am doing. **Is there a crash course in video editing, or possibly interview editing, that I could study to get started?** Or quintessential interviews to watch? Or books to read?

Answer 1

As a documentary filmmaker, I have a fair amount of experience with interviews.

In the future, I would advise shooting a two camera set up (one camera gets a wide, one camera gets a closer angle from an angle). That way you can easily switch between the two angles in the edit to avoid awkward cuts. I would also collect B-roll from the event to hide the edits, and ask open style questions while having the interviewees include the question in the answer. Rather than: "Are you having a good time?" ask "Why are you having a good time?" and have them say "I am having a good time because..."

As for what you have already shot, it depends on how much of the above you did? If none of it...that's okay...interviews are more of an art than an exact science. I would watch through all the interviews and see if you can connect answers in natural places OR you can simply have text overlays that say the questions and fade to black between each statement. I know for special occasions, bride and groom will love whatever you put together!