Step 8: Film Additional Information Also try to capture visual information that could help corroborate the date, time, and location of the interview. For example, you could film details such as • the time and date display on your cell-phone screen; • the angle of the sun in relation to the horizon or shadows; • a cultural or natural landmark or a recognizable building; • a street sign; • indicators of the day’s weather; • surrounding trees or plants; • various angles of the interview location. See the Additional Resources section at the end of this guide for more information about collecting other sources of evidence to support witnesses’ testimony, such as documents, still photos, and physical evidence (bullet casings, weapons, human remains, clothing, blood splatter, etc.). Step 9: Close the Interview Before ending the interview, it’s good practice to • Avoid ending with discussion of the witness’s worst trauma. Ease them away from the trauma by shifting the conversation to the day-to-day or what comes next for them. • Give the interviewee the opportunity to ask any questions about the interview, and try to ensure they leave in a positive state of mind. • State the time that the interview ended on camera. After Step 1: Revisit Safety and Security Once the camera is off, check with the interviewee to see if they are aware of any new risks in light of the information that was provided. Make a plan to address any additional risks — for example, concealing a person’s identity by using editing tools. Step 2: Develop Next Steps If you have a plan in place, inform the interviewee of what will happen next. Consider whether you should pass this interview along to an investigator, share it with the media, post it online, etc. Did the interviewee give you information that you should follow up on? If so, what is the plan to do so? Is there any other follow-up that you can realistically implement? Step 3: Provide Follow-up Support As a frontline documenter, it’s improbable that you have the resources to provide any follow-up. If you don’t have the resources, don’t make promises. No matter what, do not falsely raise an interviewee’s expectations. That said, if it is possible and practical to provide the interviewee with information about support options or assistance that may be available, then pass that information along. You may also want to give them your contact information. When you get back from the field, complete an objective written summary of the interview, highlighting the information you believe to be relevant and important and why you believe it to be so. Remember, gut instincts are often right! 157 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: FILMING PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS V 1.0 FILMING In addition to the testimony, you will likely want to capture visual information that corroborates what the person is telling you. If the witness is providing information about an explosion, film the site of the explosion. If the witness is discussing their injuries, ask if you could film their injuries. If the witness is discussing a mass grave, film the grave site. If they are talking about a labor camp, film the camp.