Hamilton Buhl Hamilton HDV5200 Curriculum - Manual (Page 7)

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The first project I assign my students is an interview project. This is ideal for
students working in groups of three; one student is the host, the second is
the guest and the third is the cameraperson. You may have students research
a topic or historical figure related to your curriculum and then interview one
another on that topic or person. Instruct students to develop answers first
when doing their research and once they have their answers they can easily
develop the questions. For example, if you are studying the Civil War
students could develop an interview with General Grant or Abraham Lincoln.
Students may also be required to download images from the web relating to
the interview and incorporate the images into the video.
Before students begin taping, instruct them on setting up camera
angles for their interview. The interview begins with a shot of both the
“guest” and the “host.” This is called a two‐shot. In this shot the “host”
introduces and welcomes the “guest.” This is followed by alternating “one‐
shots” of the “host” asking questions and the “guest” responding. The
interview ends with a two‐shot of the “host” thanking the “guest.”
Video editing software makes it easy to cut and paste video clips.
Therefore, I have found it best to have students tape the “host” asking all of
the questions first and then tape the “guest” responding to the questions.
The two‐shots for the introduction and closing can be taped at the start or
the end. Taping in this manner helps students understand that video need
not be shot in the order that it is presented. It also helps students gain an
understanding of the concept of non‐linear editing, shooting video out of