My first attempt in the 'interview' field (ex1+lex)

[little-turpe]

I've learnt a lot shooting and editing it, and then reading some of the comments.
so now waiting for more ;)

here it is:
http://www.vimeo.com/1566321

shot with ex1 + lex (nikon 50mm & 135mm lenses)

[Noel Evans]

Personally for me the framing is off. He is much too far right in the frame. Generally look to frame for 4:3 and youll be around right. Also the right framing is not very linear. I would have placed him more left (physically) and looked to use the lines of the room/desk/rack to do that. I would have also pulled the cam back a little and pulled him away from those things a bit further. As a general rule, try not to use a chair that has a higher back than the subject. He also needed a bit on lighting as well.

I thought the interview was interesting. A saw a spelling mistake in your titles - FADE IN at 2.55 - What concerts from other acts have inspire you? - Should be inspired. Also Id change that to - What gigs by other acts have inspired you?

Also for interviews you really dont need a LEX, not that it matters but concentrate on your framing, talent position and lighting - then worry about using a letus.

As I said though I liked the interview - it progressed nicely, good use of still images and sound. Not sure if you do or dont, but if you dont have permission to use the images from Queen and Tricky, Id take those out.

[dandobi.com]

notta damn thing wrong with the framing if you ask me ! looks good.

he's a little boring though ... i would have shot TONS of B-roll there, ex: inserts of hands on keyboard, equipment, him working, playing an instrument, etc. really take advantage of using that adapter.

you should try to cut out the ouhms, ahs, and long pauses.

i think if you had him FORM the question as part of the answer, you wouldn't need all the text/questions ... come on, no one likes to read !

stamp of approval !

[Noel Evans]

notta damn thing wrong with the framing if you ask me ! looks good.



Well I can tell you if I shot an interview like that - well I would be shot. little-turpe not trying to be super critical, just telling you whats expected.

[adamr316]

I agree. Subject is framed too far on the right. Otherwise I like the choice of background to help tell the story. Not a bad first attempt though...not at all. Watch more TV interviews (history channel, discovery, dateline, 60 minutes, etc.) to get an idea of how they set stuff up.

[DC EX1]

Also for interviews you really dont need a LEX, not that it matters but concentrate on your framing, talent position and lighting - then worry about using a letus.


I think the opposite... the whole reason I bought my Letus Extreme was to maximize a shallow depth of field in a small space (example - recording studio). You can achieve beautiful looking shots with great bokeh in a small amount of space... I'd use a 50mm 1.4 (faster the better) or an 85mm (if you have the room) next time to get a shallower DOF. This creates better separation of your subject and the background making it easier for the audience to focus on what's being said instead of what's going on in the background or else where in frame. Also, try and have some lighting control, key light at least and a hair/back light to get some more separation and hatch lighting on the subject for a more dramatic/cinematic effect aesthetic wise. I realize there are time/budget/space constraints for lighting etc, but these are just suggestions from my 3rd party view. Also, I think the framing could be improved as mentioned in previous posts. The standard rule of thirds for 16:9 framing wasn't really applied here, however, if that's how the whole show is to be shot and the art director says do it this way, then hey, by all means, it's a paycheck.

Cheers!
B

[Noel Evans]

I think the opposite... the whole reason I bought my Letus Extreme was to maximize a shallow depth of field in a small space (example - recording studio).

That wasnt the point I was making and I do agree with you. My point was to get lighting, framing etc correct before introducing another tool to worry about like a letus. Concentrate on the most important aspects. A well framed, well lit interview IMO is always better than flat lighting, off frame shots with shallow depth of field. And again I am not saying using DOF as a tool to lead the eye isnt a good thing, its just the last thing.

[bill totolo]

For a music suppliment I think the framing is ok, but it kind of gets a bit "old" mid way through.

What I think needs work is the color correction. The b/g looks very green/yellow and may benefit from a few points of blue and/or red.

What I don't like is the location of the interview, it lacks depth and is cluttered.

Overall, I want to say, that I do like the piece. There's a nice easy pace to it that's in tune with the artist's personality, which i think is much more important than framing or lighting.

Also, I enjoyed the soundtrack and the mix.

Best of luck, thanks for sharing.

Q- technically speaking, can you tell us what F stop you shot at and which scene file you used?
I'd cut this down a minute or two and I think you'd have a pretty tight little piece.

[little-turpe]

thanks everyone. i'm really frweatfull for all the suggestions/criticism and compliments.
i agree that the framing is off - but after setting up the camera i had to leave the room, and unfortunately as the chair we used was on the wheels - he moved slighty, so he was out of frame and out of focus for the wide shoot.
we didnt have a lot of time so we couldnt shoot that again, we couldnt really pick better location etc...
but the main reason for shooting that interview was to practise (i shoot it for friend of mine for free - well, i had to force him to agree to do that :) ) - and i must say that i'm very happy with all the knowledge i gained thanks to that.

for technically side... there were two fluoroscent lights with softboxes used to light Daragh;
the f-stop on the camera was 1.9, on the lenses probably 1.4 on 50mm and 2.8 on 135mm - unless i switched 50 to 2.8 as well - to be honest dont reaaly remember :/

thanks again, and going bk to work, preparing another footage to show you all :)

oh.. and by the way . i manage to get the rights to use Tricky's photos so thay stayed... but unfortulately i had to get rid of queen's one :(

[Noel Evans]

oh.. and by the way . i manage to get the rights to use Tricky's photos so thay stayed... but unfortulately i had to get rid of queen's one :(

Too bad on Queen, but good job getting use of the tricky shots. I hope I didnt come across as overly critical. Please keep in mind I see things my way and others theirs and I dont expect everyone to come my way, I just voice my opinion.

[little-turpe]

not at all.
very glad to receive your criticism/sugestions. it helps a lot (well, i mean hopefully! we will see that when i shoot another one :-) )