Camera Set Up

So what is framing in an interview?

Well, interviewing someone on camera can be a daunting task. The first step is to plan out your film first. What do you want to show and tell with the interview? Assuming that you know the purpose of your interview and you have the right location and interviewee. The next step is deciding on your camera setup.

Decide on your camera setup

When planning out the interview, you need to decide on a camera setup. This may vary depending on your budget and the number of available cameras. You must have a plan of action and have finished setting up the interview location before the subject arrives, as this reduces the stress and tension that can lead to interview mistakes.

As mentioned, depending on your budget, you might want more than one camera, as there are a lot of benefits and freedoms when using two or even three cameras. But for most video interview shoots, you can probably do it with just one camera.

Your primary A-camera should always be your main concern when doing an interview shoot. It's up to you to decide if you have the resources, time, and help to use a second and third angle properly.

Frame your shot

You want to frame your shot when you have a camera setup and location.

Ask yourself what you need from your interview.

 

Do you have certain feelings or emotions you're looking for in the viewer? Do you have a specific look? And how much information do you want to capture?

We will get into different angles and what you can use them for later in the article.

Make your background interesting

If you are shooting interviews in an actual location, your background is an essential part of what your viewers can see, and you want to make sure that your background is interesting.

You want to follow compositional best practices when choosing or setting up your background. Following the rule of thirds and having an organized and exciting background - at the same time, you don't want the background to draw too much attention away from your subject. Consider using mural wallpaper as a way to enhance your background without detracting from your subject.

Choose a suitable angle

Most interview setups are often at an angle instead of straight on the subject. This is to create a feeling of balance and comfort for the viewer. It's also helpful for the interviewer and interviewee as the interviewer can sit next to the camera and maintain eye contact with the subject instead of sitting behind a camera that obscures the line of sight between them.

In the next part, we'll dive into this angle.