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If you were to post a video today, what kind would it be? Why make it? How long would it be? Would it need editing? How would you film it? Would you use captions? Would you do the editing? Would you use any AI tools? Would you be giving away tips? How many people would be in it? Would you have someone edit for you? What additional video or photos would you use? What software would you use? (if any) What kind of lighting would you use? Would you be offering anything? Vertical, landscape or square? Would you be telling a story? What would you film it with? Where would you film it? Would it have a CTA? Who would film it? Lastly, what makes you procrastinate?

How you behave as an interviewer has a tremendous impact on how someone will answer. I consider it a great privilege to sit down and chat with someone on camera. It’s a huge honour. After running countless interviews over the last 5 years, I never tire of the experience. When you are generally curious about someone, they feel trusted and more free to open up. If you are tuned out, changing topics too fast, not listening to clues in the answers or scared of the silence, this will result in a shallow, and lesser quality interview. Taking a conversational approach is something that has worked for me over and over. In other words, if I can empathise and relate to their experiences, they feel more free to go deep and share more. When people feel free to step into a sacred and personal space, they yield passion, emotion and sincerity more easily. These qualities tied with valuable insights are highly engaging and interesting for people. Add a great story into the mix and you have dynamite. No one wants stiff and scripted responses. They want you. There’s no one else like you.  You are unique.

Behind the lens of a news camera operator: 2004 to 2005: I worked for a local news station in my hometown, filming stories for the nightly news show. 2006 to 2017: I worked for national network news stations, covering several news shows. During these years I discovered something very valuable. Day after day after day, we interviewed an enormous range of people: Members of the public Small business owners Company owners & directors Health professionals Educational professionals Lawyers Accountants Emergency service workers Police Politicians Transport drivers and operators Homeowners Renters Entrepreneurs Children Teens Elderly War veterans Grieving parents Sportspeople and athletes Musicians Artists Famous actors Charity volunteers I’ve had the camera on my shoulder or on a tripod, framing up a shot, moving lights around, and checking audio levels on nearly every type of person in every type of career. One constant stood out through all the interviews. No matter how nervous someone was, when the journalist asked them great off-the-cuff and in-the-moment questions, people would temporarily forget the lens was there. They seemed to relax and become themselves for a second. Their answers were less rehearsed. They gave unscripted replies that stole the spotlight. Often, those ones made the cut. It’s the humanity that shines through – that really connects to people and keeps them watching. That’s why, when I now conduct interviews with people as an independent filmmaker and video producer, I try to abandon the questions and get off script as much as possible. Off-the-cuff questions in news captured the essence of a diverse range of individuals and kept audiences engaged. For me, the essence of storytelling and human connection comes down to two vital elements: Conversation and curiosity.

The film "Taraua S-K: 60 Years in the making" has been rolling around different venues, clubs and festivals in New Zealand collecting some wonderful reviews, and is now being taken to the world. I was very privileged to work on this film as editor with director Andy Curruthers earlier this year. A 2023 highlight. The film has been entered the film into the Banff Mountain Film Festival, this is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world. It has also been entered the Kendal Mountain Festival in the UK and Andy is looking for festivals in the US. Cross your fingers, we will hear back at the end of September on Banff. The film is now streaming on Vimeo, buy a copy from the link below. Andy also recently appeared on the podcast "Dirt Church radio" talking about the conception and evolution of the film. https://tararuask.vhx.tv

I've noticed a lot of DIY video the last few years. All with varying results. I'm not talking about recording yourself speaking to your phone. Anyone can do that. I'm talking about : - video production - filmmaking - storytelling. ...anything where you need to compose shots, edit and craft something. I totally understand the appeal of DIY. Filmmaking and video production is a fun fascinating thing to learn. It can't be that hard. We all carry cameras around and access to editing software is easy as walking to the dairy to buy an ice cream. In fact it's better and easier than that, edit software is free. Why hire someone when you can do it yourself? Why waste money? A smart business knows where to cut costs right? Also, there's some truely incredible AI tools out there too. Even filmmakers are using them to expedite many processes. The possibilities and potential are all there for amazing DIY video, however in my experience and observations it ain't happening. Maybe you work for an amazing company, or have created a trusted brand, perhaps built a solid business that you've poured your heart and soul into and then you commit the most heinous sin... ...you make videos that look like a 1 day school video project. ...and these videos represent you and your brand. ...and you post them online, for all to see. Because, it's not that hard, right? I've been hired by companies that had dreams of DIY video, and then gave up. Some of reasons were: -The editing was painful. -They couldn't find the camera battery charger. -The computer with the only copy of the footage died. A lot of companies have a full or part time video superstar on staff. You get a big tick for doing that. If you're an organisation that knows the value and importance of professional video and can afford to hire a pro, then you are doing the right thing. What if you can't afford to create that role and you need professional video now and then? You either take a chance on an enthusiastic person already on staff to complete a legit filmmaking course and give them X number of hours a week towards the role, pay them more, support them, and then you get out of their way and let them do their job. OR hire a pro so you can quickly move on to the next thing.

I’ve conducted countless interviews over the last two years and I’ve learnt this about people. People need to share their stories ​People need to talk. People need to be heard. When people could see I was genuinely interested and listening,  they ended up telling great stories. These stories touched people, and other people couldn’t wait to share them. My interviewees needed less prompts or questions, because they simply felt comfortable to talk. The funny thing is, the best sound bites popped out the vacuum of silence. I think this is amazing. Creating space. Having patience. Waiting. But also having curiosity. I’ve never been afraid to dig deeper, to pry, to be curious, to understand, and show that I can empathize. This creates trust and places someone in a position of safety and comfort to be themselves. Sometimes during interviews there would be total and absolute silence. Nothing. Should I change the topic? Or go further into the same subject? I often asked a further question. I went deeper. I’m not afraid to examine feelings and emotions That’s where the gold is. It’s no secret that feelings and emotions guide storytelling Great stories move people to take action. There are 3 ways we can talk on camera to achieve this - 1. Telling people what they want to hear 2. Telling people what we think they need to hear 3. Be ourselves and being honest I watched number 3 work over and over. I make it part of my job to guide people to be expressive Show and not tell.