Man on the Street videos typically feature a single interviewer who asks questions of passersby. They’re designed to generate quick, gut responses from a representative sample of the public on a given topic. The interviewer approaches random people who might simply be walking past and asks them questions. The responses are raw and impromptu, giving viewers a genuine perspective on whatever topic’s being discussed.
Essentially, all it takes is a camera crew, an interviewer and plenty of random subjects to make a Man on the Street video, but there’s a lot more to it if you want your overall message or idea to stick. If you’re looking to shoot a great Man on the Street video that keeps viewers entertained and engaged, here are five tips you should follow.
Outline your questions ahead of time
Remember that the responses you get from subjects are only as good as the questions you’re asking. Get people to trust you by asking softball questions to start, then following up with the quirky ones. Don’t waste too much time before getting to the “meat” of the interview, though, or you risk losing those instantaneous responses that make Man on the Street videos so entertaining. While you can improvise any additional questions based on the answers you get, make sure you’ve got a solid plan in mind before you head out to shoot.
Don’t be afraid to get personal
The most successful Man on the Street snippets feature unique, unexpected and sometimes wacky responses. As you complete your interviews, don’t be afraid to ask personal, weirder questions that can elicit gut reactions. It gives your videos some extra immediacy and interest, which is key for keeping your viewers engaged.
Interview plenty of people
Whenever you’re putting together a Man on the Street video, plan to interview more people than you think you need to. If you need three interviews for your video, you should plan to interview at least 12 subjects. Why? Plenty of things can go wrong during shoots, and you really never know which subjects will give the best responses, both verbal and non-verbal. While you’ll be left with some unusable footage, the interviews you end up including in the final cut should be great.
Prioritize brevity
Man on the Street videos should be short and sweet—it’s a key part of their appeal. Viewers will simply stop paying attention if videos in this format go on too long. Make sure your video has a premise or objective and let your interviewers explain it in a short yet powerful way.
Refine in post-production
If you’ve taken the time to shoot plenty of interviews, your post-production efforts should reflect that. Most quality video production companies have experienced editors who can add special touches to your footage. From incorporating the right music to skillful editing for tone and length, you’ll end up with a piece that you can truly be proud of.
Viewers love Man on the Street videos for the quick, often witty way they highlight raw, unscripted reactions from average people. Looking to shoot the perfect Man on the Street video to support your brand? Say hello to Spin Creative and create engaging content that supports your goals, both current and future.
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Spin Creative is a video production company and creative agency helping marketers create winning video and creative strategies that engage, inspire and activate targeted audiences. Spin is headquartered in Seattle with offices in San Francisco and London, serving brands around the globe.
