Testimonial films and case study videos run the risk of being dull and too lengthy. They work if someone is already deeply interested in your business or charitable organisation, but may be too much for someone who is just thinking about your products or services.
It’s too easy to have a static camera, capturing one shot – of a static interviewee. Resulting in a lifeless video that no one really wants to watch. When really testimonials videos and case studies can be dynamic and really engaging, with the emotion and human element really giving life.
Here’s a selection of different ways to spruce up your testimonial videos when filming:
Film on the go
If you film someone while they’re walking, it has a very dynamic effect and can bring great energy to a video.
Filming on the go also steers well away from the stagnant, someone sitting on a chair in a small office, looking bored kind of video production – that we’ve all seen a million times.
Static shots can be done well, but you see the same thing all the time – so why not try something new!
If they’re not walking, even having your interviewee standing can be more dynamic than sitting.
Film with multi-camera
Using 2 cameras or more for your video shoot is becoming more and more common and for a great reason!
Editing seamlessly between two different shots gives a much more interesting visual feel to the video – especially if they are quite contrasting.
For example, a wide shot that shows the world behind them – giving more context to the interview, then perhaps a close on the face or the hands (if they move them a lot) the final video uses a mixture of both these angles.
It also has another benefit, the video editor can easily remove sections that don’t sound as good. For example, if the interviewee rambles a little bit, or has a long pause – cutting this out and switching the new shot keeps the overall flow of the video very smooth.
Use a Green screen
Why not try standing your customer or service in front of a green screen whilst filming. This means that instead of a natural environment, you can add graphics behind.
This is great if you want to have a more ‘technological’ feeling approach, and want to include lots of support from charts or data.
Or with green screen video, you can also include lots of captioning, which helps to reinforce their statements.
Film the case study in their environment
If you film your customer at their offices or workplace – it’ll help them feel more at home, as they’re in their own surroundings. Which can make their testimonial sound better, as they’re not as nervous.
This is especially good, if their office or shop environment is quite typical of your customers, as it’ll be even more relatable to watch for the audience.
Film at your premises
Filming the interview at your places of work can work out really nicely too. But really only this if this is a typical scenario – ie customers often visit your work.
Filming there can show the interaction between you and your customer and helps the viewer to imagine themselves in this harmonious working relationship.
Film Lots of B Roll
If the person on camera is a bit shy, then B roll is your best friend. B Roll is simply footage that appears over the top of the person talking.
So you continue to hear the voice – but instead of seeing their face the whole time, you cut to shots of them working, them interacting with colleagues, etc.
Usually, these are related shots like the person working or carrying out an action that’s relevant to what they are saying.
B roll footage is really helpful for putting the whole interview into context and bringing you into their world.
Film a more than 1 people
If you film 3-4 people and have a video that includes a combination of all – it creates excitement.
And it also gives the impression that everyone is already on board! So if you have several happy customers – you can film individual testimonials, then make a combination film.
Above all – try and keep testimonial video shooting natural and unrehearsed!
Obviously, you want positive, genuine statements, delivered as best as possible, but rehearsing can come across as false and a bit stifled.
Hopefully, you can use one or more of these tips in your next Testimonial Video Production – click to read about our video production services
