cuts

[Chronically Confused]

Awhile ago I asked what some of your techniques were for getting cut aways. Such as when you get them and what you get.

Lately I have come across some situations where getting a few cuts is kind of difficult. Normally, I like to get a 2 shot, a cu of hands and something else.
But lately when I'm trying to get someone's hands, they are not in an ideal position. Such as in their pocket or gesturing with their hands far apart from either other, leaving me to shoot kind of wide at the middle of someone's body, or shooting a single hand that's way off to one side, which looks kind of strange. Most of the time, they'll have something on their shirt, jacket or hat to shoot in place of the hands. But when those aren't present, sometimes I end up shooting a zipper on their jacket or something on their shirt. Or sometimes I'll shoot an xcu on their eyes In most cases I dont' use them because they look like crap as well.
So how would you go about getting any of these cut aways?


Also, I want to try out and get some non conventional interview shots. I want to get a wide shot showing more of the background and maybe foreground so I can surround the interviewee in his element. My reporter described it as it feeling like the interview is part of the story instead of a conventional interview where it kind of pulls you away from the video to see the person....
In any case, because of this wider shot, it would seem to be a little harder to light the subject. How would I go about lighting this person. And yes, I have bookmarked that new EFP Lighting website that was posted a few days ago, but if anything is in there about it, I have not read it yet.
An example of what I mean is this:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1129546/interview.JPG
Thanks

[CHIEFPHOTDOG]

I love to hear photogs thinking out of the box, for me I consider myself a foreground shooter, I usually get low and get something the foreground that has relevance to my subject; apple for teacher, badge for cop and so forth. I tell my photogs when you go to a shoot; listen to what your subject says and then shoot everything, I'd rather hear how you shot to much than not enough.
My standard cut aways are behind the reporter, behind the subject (maintaining the 180 rule). I look for Items around the room that tell who this person is and do the slow zoom or rack focus, I get the eyes not to close (eyes and nose) then the mouth. If I'm outside I ask the reporter to either walk to their door and I'll book it in front to get the walking shot. I also do the tag along where I kick it with them for a little while and just stalk them, this is tough because they tend to try and pretend, if they can't do it I just pack up.

[Chronically Confused]

so if you were to shoot an an apple for a teacher, how close would you have the apple. Close enough that if you had to (not saying you would for the interview) you'd have to use your macro to get it in focus? and partly to the side?
And the cut away suggestions are great. I'll try them out. Thanks a lot :)

Any other tips from anyone I'd love to hear

[LuccaBrazzi]

I hate shooting those hand/feet/2shots/reverses.

But..

Ya gotta get them because sometimes these lame shots will save your ass come editing-time.

If I'm shooting cutaways and I don't like what I see (hands out of place, people laughing, gesturing, etc.) I simply tell them "stop. just act naturally/continue your conversation w/o jokes.)

tell them what you need. If they don't...order them to stop!
I don't mean to sound like a jerk...but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.