{"id":13856,"date":"2013-04-17T10:00:20","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T15:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mediastorm.com\/blog\/?p=13856"},"modified":"2025-05-27T23:09:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T03:09:03","slug":"standard-three-camera-interview-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mediastorm.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/17\/standard-three-camera-interview-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"Standard Three-Camera Interview Setup"},"content":{"rendered":"

MediaStorm\u2019s standard interview setup is meant to provide a clean, focused environment for the viewer. It can be used both in a studio or in the field. We typically use at least two cameras, usually three, both for visual variety and for editing on-camera sequences. This is by no means the only way to conduct an interview and you should consider the role and look of the interview before beginning a project.<\/p>\n

The example below is for an interview with the subject sitting screen-right. If you want the subject to be sitting screen-left, camera and lighting placement should be reversed.<\/p>\n

Visual Look<\/h2>\n

Background – <\/strong>We often use a black background behind our subjects to focus attention on what the subject says and how he or she says it. A large felt cloth works nicely.<\/p>\n

Cameras – <\/strong>We currently use the Canon 5D Mark III<\/a> for our interviews.<\/p>\n

Camera Settings –<\/strong> It\u2019s important to standardize settings on all cameras. Make sure each camera has the same frame size, frame rate, aperture, ISO and white balance. Below are the settings we generally use on interviews in our studio. Note that your aperture, ISO and white balance will be different based on your lighting setting up.<\/p>\n

Frame size – 1920×1080
\nFrame rate – 24 frames per second
\nShutter speed – 1\/50
\nAperture – 4.5
\nISO – 500
\nKelvin – 4500<\/p>\n

Camera Position –<\/strong> The wide shot (Camera A), is positioned on the right. The tight shot (Camera B) is positioned on the left. They are as close to each other as possible and should be near the same height. The cameras are both positioned nearly over the shoulder of the person conducting the interview. Make sure the interviewer\u2019s shoulder is not in the shot.<\/p>\n

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Example – Camera A and B are placed almost directly above the interviewer’s shoulder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Camera A (Wide, On-Tripod) –<\/strong> The subject is sitting screen-right, looking into the frame screen-left. The subject is composed so that his or her hands are visible laying on their lap. This allows the wide angle to capture any hand gestures or body movement that might be storytelling body language.<\/p>\n

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Example – The look of Camera A.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Camera B (Tight, On-Tripod) –<\/strong> This shot is also composed with the subject sitting screen-right, looking into the frame screen-left. Composition of the subject should mimic that of the wide shot.<\/p>\n

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Example – The look of Camera B.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/center><\/p>\n

Camera C (Tight, Off-Tripod) –<\/strong> This camera is optional and requires an additional photographer for an interview. We use this camera to show the subject in profile on screen-right looking screen-left. We vary composition with this camera, sometimes focusing on details like the subject\u2019s hands, as well as wider shots of the subject in profile.<\/p>\n

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Example – The look of Camera C.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Audio<\/h2>\n

Microphone Position –<\/strong> MediaStorm uses a Sennheiser ME66<\/a> shotgun mic supported directly over the subject\u2019s forehead. The mic should be as close to the subject\u2019s forehead without being in the wide shot. As you can see in the image below, the shotgun mic is supported by a boom on a lightstand, pointing down toward the location of the subject\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

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Example – The shotgun mic is above the subject, pointing directly at his or her forehead. It should be as close to the subject as possible, without being in the shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Audio Setup –<\/strong> The shotgun mic is connected to a camera mounted juicedLink<\/a> via an XLR cord<\/a>. The juicedLink is a preamp that records higher-quality sound directly to the camera\u2019s audio track, has XLR inputs and allows headphone monitoring. We place the juicedLink on Camera A. This will be the main audio source for the interview.<\/p>\n

Cameras B and C have mics mounted on their hot shoes, plugged directly into the DSLR\u2019s mic mount. The audio for these cameras must be clean, but they will be used primarily for syncing in post-production. If you\u2019re using the stabilizer function on Camera C\u2019s lens (the stabilizer should be off for Camera A and B when on tripod), it\u2019s imperative that you use a separate mic. The sound of the stabilizer will ruin the audio of the onboard mic making the camera difficult to sync in post.<\/p>\n

Levels for all cameras should be recorded at the industry standard of between -12 and -6db.<\/p>\n

Lighting<\/h2>\n

Key Light – <\/strong>The main light source, or key light, should be on the subject\u2019s screen-left portion of his or her face. See the example below.<\/p>\n

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Example – In our setup, the key light should be on the subject\u2019s screen-left portion of his or her face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Example – The key light should provide an even amount of light over the majority of the subject\u2019s face, falling off slightly on the screen-right portion of his or her face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fill\/Hair Light –<\/strong> The fill\/hair light provides additional light on the screen-right portion of the subject\u2019s face, while separating the subject\u2019s shoulders from the background. We place this light on a boom pole that is above and to the right of the subject, pointing down at the subject\u2019s shoulder and face.<\/p>\n

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Example – The fill\/hair light is placed on a boom pole above and to the right of the subject.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Equipment List<\/h2>\n

Lights<\/strong><\/p>\n