This document provides tips for setting up video interviews including recommended camera equipment, lighting setups, camera angles, and post-production elements like b-roll footage and title banners. It recommends using a DSLR or video camera, wireless microphone, and various lighting including a key light, fill light, and back light. It also provides low-budget lighting options like hardware store work lights, small video lights, and reflectors, and describes different camera shots from medium to close-up.

1. Tips For Setting Up An Interview
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Photo Credit: -@jdanielzapata (via Twitter)

2. Camera Equipment For Interviews
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1
Video or DSLR Camera
DSLRs are becoming popular
for filming interviews & b-roll
Wireless Microphone
Picks up crisp clear audio.
Various Camera Lights

3. Camera Angles For Interviews
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2
Medium Shot or Two-Shot
From the waist to
the head
Medium Close-up Shot
From the center
of the chest to
the head

4. Camera Angles For Interviews
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3
Semi Close-up Shot
From the
shoulders to the
head
Close-up Shot
Only the head and
the face

5. Lighting For Interviews
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4
Basic Lighting Setup
Key Light- Shines directly on subject. Main
Light
Fill Light- Shines on subject from angle,
usually lower, softer and less bright
than key light.
Back Light - Shines on the subject from back,
usually from an angle. Creates a rim
around the subject to distinguish the
subject from the background.
Follow this basic set up and change it to
manipulate your light for the look your
going for!

6. Budget Lighting Setups
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5
Hot Lights
Found at Hardware stores starting
at $18-$45.
Tip: Going for a more “cool” look?
Buy the tinted blue replacement
globe
Joby Gorilla Torch
Found at Campbell Cameras
For only $29.
Tip: Use multiple GorillaTorches to
create this spotlight effect

7. Budget Lighting Setups
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6
Reflectors
Found at Campbell Cameras
starting at $24.95.
Tip: They allow you to manipulate
your lighting (see pg 7)
Paper Lanterns
Found at Wal-Mart and are super cheap at
around $4-5.
Tip: Gives you a soft light. Try adding different
color lanterns or light bulbs to change the look.

8. Reflectors as Fill Lights
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7
Reflectors
A cheap, light-weight, and fast option for a fill
light & to manipulate your lighting
Gives off a Warm Tone
Gold Reflector
Provide the softest-even fill.
Tip: Great to use in-the-field where
the sun produces dark shadows
under the bill of a hat. White
Reflector can be used to cast a fill
light to where you can see your
subject’s eyes
White Reflector
3-in-1 Reflector
Silver Reflector
Gives off a “cool” look. Adds more
light than white. Acts like a mirror.
REALLY Bright if used outside on
sunny day.

9. B-Roll Cut Shots
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8
B-Roll shots break-up interviews to give a visual representation of
what your subject is talking about. This keeps your viewers enter-
tained. They are mixed throughout your interview in post.
Examples:

10. Title Banners
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9
It is always a good idea in post-production to add a graphic banner
along the bottom of the screen for part of the interview that gives the
audience and idea of who this person is (Name, Team Name, ... etc.)

11. THE END
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