College Web Guy

So tonight I’m enamored by a new found video podcast from the Washington Post. They call call it “On Being”

Particularly interesting is the post production of these videos.  Subjects are obviously interviewed in front of a white background, and they are attentive to capturing great sound.  But the camera angles.  Wow. The camera angles keep you interested.  So many takeaways here.  This is superb storytelling.

Jennifer Crandall (from the quote at the beginning of my last post) is credited with performing the interviews AND editing the video.  I’ve done a bit of googling. New York Magazine interviewed her specifically about the OnBeing project.  A great short read.

I liked the idea of telling other people’s stories. I know that sounds cliché. Basically, I thought this would be the most direct way of doing it.

…I try to make them as comfortable as possible. When I’m interviewing them there’s no one else in the room—unless I’m interviewing a kid, in which case their parents are always welcome. It’s important for me to come across as sincere as possible, and to let them know I have great interest in what they have to say. Eventually, they warm up.