Simple Guide to Filming a 2-Person Interview
How Do I Film a 2-Person Interview?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
- Effective camera setup is crucial for visual engagement.
- Quality audio enhances clarity and professionalism.
- Proper lighting is essential for a polished look.
- Maintain consistent framing and eye lines to engage viewers.
- Utilize editing best practices for smooth video transitions.
Table of Contents
- Camera Setup and Angles
- Audio Techniques
- Lighting Setup
- Framing and Eye Lines
- Additional Tips
- Summary Table: Two-Person Interview Setup
- Conclusion
Camera Setup and Angles
The foundation of a successful 2-person interview is effective camera placement. Utilizing multiple cameras not only adds visual interest but also provides flexibility in editing. Here’s how to set it up:
- Use at Least Two Cameras:
- A-Cam (Wide Shot): Position one camera to capture a wide or medium shot framing both subjects from the waist up. This serves as a master shot and provides context for the conversation.
- B-Cam (Close-Ups): Use a second camera to alternate between close-ups of each interviewee. Ideally, the B-Cam operator should pan while switching focus between speakers. For additional impact, a third camera can be utilized to provide dedicated close-ups of each subject.
- Keep Cameras Aligned:
Stack cameras as close as possible—ideally one directly above or beside the other—to maintain sightlines. This method minimizes visible shifts when cutting between angles, keeping viewers engaged.
Audio Techniques
High-quality audio is critical for any video production, especially for interviews where clear speech is essential.
- Microphone Choices: Equip each subject with their own microphone—options include lavalier (clip-on) mics or boom mics. Recording each microphone to its own track allows for cleaner audio mixing and easier removal of background noise.
- Three-to-One Rule: When using more than one microphone, ensure that the second mic is three times farther from its subject than the first is from theirs. This helps avoid audio phase issues and maintains clarity.
Lighting Setup
Lighting plays a pivotal role in ensuring a polished and professional look.
- Key Light Distribution: Position your main light source equidistant between both participants to achieve balanced lighting and avoid harsh shadows. This will ensure that both interviewees are well lit and visually consistent.
- Enhancing the Look: Incorporate fill and backlights to add depth and separation from the background, creating a more engaging visual environment.
Framing and Eye Lines
Framing is not just about camera placement; it involves helping you maintain the right focus and engagement throughout the interview.
- Eye-Level Shots: Keeping cameras at eye level fosters a natural connection between the subjects and the audience.
- Positioning: Subjects should be comfortably angled towards each other but also directed enough towards the camera so that viewers can see their expressions clearly. If the interview requires it, instruct subjects where to focus their gaze, whether slightly towards each other for a conversational feel or off-camera to the interviewer.
Watch a Behind-the-Scenes Set Up of a 2-person Interview
Additional Tips
To ensure your video interviews run smoothly and are easy to edit:
- Consistency is Key: Maintain consistent lighting and camera color settings throughout the shoot. This simplifies the editing process and enhances visual coherence.
- Minimize Retakes: Conduct thorough visual and audio checks before the interview begins to minimize the need for retakes. Aim to capture clean audio and video during the initial recording.
- Sync Audio and Video: Use visual cues like a clap or a slate to help sync audio if you are recording to external devices.
Summary Table: Two-Person Interview Setup
| Aspect | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 2 (wide/master + close-up); 3rd optional for dedicated close-ups |
| Audio | 2 mics (lavs or booms), recorded separately; follow three-to-one rule |
| Lighting | Key light evenly distributed; add fill/backlight as needed |
| Framing | Eye-level shots, medium/wide for both, close-ups for singles |
| Eye Lines | Stack cameras for consistent gaze; subjects face each other or interviewer |
| Editing | Multiple camera angles; clean audio tracks for each subject |
Conclusion
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