Ky -

Thank you for reaching out and trusting our team to help launch this new interview series.

To me, there are three main components needed to create a compelling interview.

1 - An engaging subject that has confidence in what they’re saying.

2 - Clean audio that can be sweetened and mixed with a nice music/sound bed.

3 - Something unexpected...This is the one that we can explore and create our own tone of voice for. 

1)

With the provided subject experts, I’m confident we can create engaging dialogue that will lead them to statements and answers that are natural and authentic. We don’t want them to sound coached or scripted, so by asking leading questions and talking about a topic generally will lead to the real and honest answers.

2)

Especially when talking about a serious subject, in this case money, we need to be sure we have clean audio and quality audio mixing that can bring in the perfect levels of music, sound design, and interviewee.

3)

This is where we can add a little life, production value, humanity, etc to the interviews. Even though the topic may be serious or important, it is key to remember that a viewer has to be pulled in and feel like part of the conversation.

SET DESIGN

I like the idea of looking behind the scenes a bit to help the viewer feel like they are a part of the interview. 

The cameras can see some stands and lights, we see the subject walk in and get settled, and other “back-stage” elements that give a feeling of looking behind the curtain - Not just listening to someone talk.

As we set the stage for what could be an ongoing project, my goal would be to set-up environments that are visually interesting, recreatable, and NOT exactly the same every time. This approach would give us a little bit of leeway when we come back in the future to interview more subjects.

LIGHTING

The lighting will be soft and flattering and focused on our subject so that even when we see beyond the set, it fades to dark.

MULTI-CAM

Ideally we are able to film using 3 cameras. 

The main camera angle would be straight on to the camera, and used in the edit for key pieces of information.

The other two cameras would be able to take on a side angle and/or slowly move during the shot, and give us some of the “behind-the-scenes” angles I’ve mentioned.

Not only will this be visually interesting, it will also give us some flexibility in the edit to cut from one angle to another if we want to condense an answer or combine thoughts from different segments of the conversation.

CREW

For this project, we’ll use the mantra, “Not a lot of people. The right people”

This will help keep the project budget friendly, but will also keep the set smaller and more casual. When working with real people that may not be used to being on set, I like to keep the set small and avoid it being intimidating.

In addition to myself, I would bring a DP that I collaborate with regularly and then hire additional crew members locally in New York City, where we have connections within the production community.

CONNECTIONS

Over the past decade I’ve traveled the country interviewing CEOs, farmers, professional athletes, and tattoo artists and have gained A LITTLE info about A LOT of things and can quickly relate with almost anyone. 

A simple connection and human conversation about kids, sports, unusual facts, and who knows what else will go a long way in making someone feel comfortable and at ease. These moments before we get in front of the camera will build trust and confidence that I am there for them, and to bring out their best.

I look forward to evolving this conversation and getting into the details with you and your team.

• Austin