26 Feb How to Decide Between Scripted and Interview-Style Videos for Better Engagement

Making a video can feel a little intimidating, especially if you’re not used to being in front of a camera. At Blue Tree Studios, one of the most common questions we hear when initially discussing a corporate video is, “Should I write a script, or should I just answer questions in an interview?” It’s a fair concern: you want your final video to sound genuine and professional, but you also want to keep things on-message and avoid rambling. So, let’s talk about your two main options and figure out which one might be the best fit.

1. The Interview Approach: Authentic & Explorative

How It Works

With an interview-style video, we’ll come up with a series of questions designed around your brand, goals, and key talking points. On the day of filming, we’ll sit down with you (or your spokesperson) and have a relaxed Q&A session. We record multiple takes if needed, and later in the editing suite, we piece together all the best answers to create a seamless, coherent story.

Pros

•Authenticity: There’s nothing quite like spontaneous answers to show off your genuine personality or expertise.

•Surprising Insights: Digging deep during interviews can head in unexpected directions, leading you to talk about things you may never have scripted out.

•Natural Delivery: If memorising lines or reading from a teleprompter seems stressful, this approach can help you sound more like “you.”

Cons

•Time-Intensive: Both filming and editing can take longer since we’re working through more raw footage.

•Less Predictable: You might walk in with certain topics in mind and end up talking about something completely different which is deemed to not be irrelevant once reviewed.

•Potentially Higher Costs: More hours on set and more time in post-production can add up if you’re budget conscious.

Often Q&A style videos deliver really natural, warm responses.

2. The Scripted Approach: Efficient & On-Brand

How It Works

When you choose a scripted approach, either you or we (or both of us together) will craft a script in advance. Instead of memorising every word—a method that often leads to stilted or anxious delivery—we strongly recommend using a teleprompter. This way, you get to maintain eye contact with the camera while reading a comfortably paced scrolling text. We operate the teleprompter to read at your speed so you can stop, start and repeat sections as needed.

Pros

•Saves Time in Editing: We already know what lines will make the cut, so the post-production process is quicker.

•Predictable Outcome: You won’t run into surprises, since we’re working from a finalised script.

•Confidence Booster with a Teleprompter: If appearing on camera feels nerve-wracking, having the exact words in front of you can be a lifesaver.

Cons

•Less Flexibility: If we lock in a script, there’s not much room to pivot if your goals change mid-process. We can always adjust the script if sentences or phrases don’t make sense, but doing full rewrites on set would be a huge bottleneck.

•Potentially Less Natural Delivery: Reading off a screen can sound stiff at first—but with a bit of coaching and practice, we usually smooth that out.

•Memorisation Challenges: We rarely recommend fully memorising lines. In our experience, it often leads to subtle tells—hesitations, fidgets, or glances away—that make it clear you’re trying to recall each sentence.

Our Recommendation

A teleprompter is your best friend if you’re leaning toward scripted content. Even confident public speakers sometimes blank when the camera’s rolling, so it’s handy to have the text right there, just in case. We’ll guide you on pacing, tone, and when to pause, so you sound relaxed and on-brand without feeling robotic.

Having a teleprompter assist you can be very comforting as it forgoes the need to memorise lines by having the words in front of the camera lens.

3. Matching the Approach to Your Needs

Personality & Comfort

Think about whether you thrive in casual conversations or prefer knowing exactly what to say. If you’re the type who lights up when discussing your passions on the fly, an interview might be perfect. If you know you’re more confident when you prepare your delivery then a structured script (with a teleprompter) could be just what you need.

Budget & Time Constraints

Scripted videos often take less overall time to produce because we don’t have as many unexpected tangents. Interview-based shoots, on the other hand, can yield lots of great soundbites but also lots of unused footage. Both approaches can result in an effective and authentic final product—it just depends on how you want to allocate your time and budget.

Long-Term Value

A video that feels polished but still authentic can keep working for you for years. It’s worth thinking about who will be on camera and whether they’ll be comfortable enough to deliver something that stands the test of time. Forced delivery tends to date quickly, while genuine enthusiasm has a long shelf life.

4. How We Can Help at Blue Tree Studios

Here at Blue Tree Studios, we use our expertise and experience to figure out which approach—scripted or interview-based—will work best for you or your team. If you’re on the fence, we’re happy to send you a free draft script along with suggested questions. That way, we can see which style fits your personality and comfort level.

During the filming process, we’ll coach you through either format. If an interview is your method of choice, we’ll keep things conversational and relaxed and then make sure the interview is guided in the right direction for the purpose of the video. If you’d rather use a script, we’ll guide you on how to read from a teleprompter without sounding rehearsed. Over the years, we’ve helped countless clients who were initially terrified of being on camera walk away feeling proud of their performance .

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether you choose a scripted or an interview-style approach depends on your goals, comfort level, and budget. Both methods can yield compelling, professional videos—you just need the right game plan. At Blue Tree Studios, our focus is on helping you find the format that plays to your strengths and creates a final product you’ll love.

Still not sure which path to take? Feel free to get in touch. We’ll chat about what you’re hoping to achieve, share some real-world examples, and guide you toward the best possible decision. After all, when you feel comfortable in front of the camera, your message is clearer, more concise and authentic—and that’s what leaves a lasting impression on your audience.