I need a primer for shooting a product testimonial video

[Jeff Kellam]

I have been asked to shoot a product testimonial of a user of a product who is in my locality.

The talent is a very well spoken 80 year old man. Based on a phone conversation, he will be excellent for a testimonial. The product is some type of vitamin supplement, which I believe the talent also sells.

There is no script, and the end product will be 1 to 2 minutes of raw video provided to the ad agency. I have no edit responsibility. The ad guy has heard him speak before at conventions.

Here is what I know:

1. The Ad guy wants to be on speaker phone to make sure he gets the material he wants. It will be a cell phone, but I guess it will work for audio.

2. We will shoot outside with whatever makes a pleasant background near his condo.

What I need to know:

1. What is the best way to frame the shot? Head & torso shot using rule of thirds in the 16X9 frame?

2. "Head on" body position and speaking to the camera (this will be a one man shoot, no interviewer)?

3. Provide one framing change, start with a medium head & torso shot and then get a wider or a tighter shot?

Thanks for any advice.

[Jeff Kellam]

Question answered here:

Interview Angles:

Just shoot a testimonial like any other interview. For some reason I was thinking a product testimonial needed a speak directly to the camera approach.