Guest interviews: capturing authentic voices in two minutes

Nothing is more convincing than people speaking freely about why an evening was worthwhile. In ten seconds, a good guest interview conveys more credibility than any glossy shot. The good news: most guests speak better than they think. They simply need the right setting.

The location speaks too

An interview in a foyer, with echoes, clinking glasses and people passing through, sounds exactly like that: a foyer. A sheltered corner a little away from the bustle offers better conditions — while still conveying the atmosphere of the event. We agree on the spot with you in advance: close enough to the action for guests to reach us easily, but quiet enough for a relaxed conversation.

Clean sound makes the difference

A lively image can include movement. The voice still needs to remain clearly intelligible. We use high-quality wireless handheld microphones, which are particularly well suited to interviews at events. Before recording, we check the lighting, background and sound so that what guests say is not lost in the surrounding noise.

Questions that bring out stories

Closed questions produce a yes or no. Questions about an experience paint a picture:

• What was the moment today when you knew: this was worth it?
• What makes this event special?
• What will you take away from today that will change what you do tomorrow?
• Who would you recommend this event to — and why?
• How would you describe this evening in one sentence?

We agree on the questions with you beforehand. They give the conversation direction without suggesting answers: guests should describe their experience in their own words.

A short conversation rather than a rehearsed statement

A few minutes per person is usually enough. Nobody needs to prepare a script or deliver a perfect performance on camera. We guide the conversation, follow up on interesting points and allow time to think.

Three things are especially helpful:

• Do not interrupt. A brief hesitation is not a problem — a statement cut short is harder to use.
• Wait a moment after the answer. Often, a personal thought follows that makes the interview special.
• Encourage answers in full sentences. Someone who incorporates the question into their answer gives you a statement that makes sense even without hearing the question.

The next day: watch, select and comment

The day after your event ends, we make all the interviews available to you in a dedicated online video tool. There, you can watch the conversations, select individual passages and add comments directly — for example: “Please use this statement in the highlight film” or “We would like to turn this into a separate social media clip”.

There is no need to describe your selections in lengthy emails. Your notes appear at the relevant point in the video and form the basis for the subsequent edit. The interviews provided are material for selection, not yet the finished, edited clips.

From your selection to the finished film

Based on your selection, we distil the conversations into clear, accessible statements. We take care to preserve their meaning and ensure that the voices come together to tell a coherent story.

Relevant footage from the event complements the interviews: the audience, the stage or encounters between guests, for example. This lets viewers see what is being discussed. Depending on the agreed format, the result may be statements within the highlight film or standalone interview clips. We then review the finished edit with you.

What you can prepare in advance

A short list of the people you would like interviewed, the key topics and an on-site contact who can bring guests to us at the right moment are all helpful. A small slot in the schedule prevents interviews from getting lost between programme items.

We take care of the rest together with you: finding a suitable spot, agreeing on the questions and conducting the conversations. This turns brief encounters into personal perspectives that keep your event alive long afterwards.