GH1 Interview Test with H4n, Sennheiser and Canon FD Lens

Thanks for the comment. Yes, this was shot with 720/60p and shutter at 1/60th. And, yes, pluraleyes is incredibly easy and effective!
 
Loved all except the establishing shot.

The wide establishing interview shot looks like you interview a talking head with no body. This shot lacked composition or setting. The background was out of focus, but you should have chosen a more interesting background and had it more in focus in order to set the scene. As an extremely important establishing shot, it needed to perform a function. I would have gone a bit wider and shown some of the studio, even with him out of focus... or at least have a more interesting background. IMO, you shallow THE DOF in order to focus tightly on the character without distractions. You need an important build up in order to focus on the character in that way.

The other shots, were however beautiful and sound was fine.
 
themartist,

Thanks so much for the good feedback. Yes, I agree. Unfortunately, because of some lighting issues, I had to have the camera very close. I am looking for an alternative place to do these interviews. On good days, I am going to do them outdoors down by the waterfront. Also, this is not really the beginning of the interview, just a test clip from many interviews I will be doing. But you are right that the head only shot is not very appealing.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your input!
 
Its my pleasure, its not always easy getting criticism... pleased to see you take it constructively. I would also look at trying to match the skin-tone exposure you have on the close ups. That establishing shot looks a little overexposed in comparison. I would also think that yoga is about being connected literally and figuratively to the ground. Giving the camera height has purposes, but why not use the swivel LCD, and shoot from the ground, drawing attention to the beautiful floorboards... and end in focus of the interviewee's lotus position...
 
If you can get a hypercardiod mic (a Rode NT3 would be good) for this instead of a shotgun, that would be a good idea - a yoga studio is going to be one of the toughest interior environments to use a shotgun mic, it's hard surfaces everywhere and usually very minimal decor, so there's nothing to absorb sound.

The good thing though, despite the echo, you did get clear interview sound and it had nice detail, so that's definitely a win.

Would be a good idea as another poster said to utilize the environment of the yoga studio in creating your establishing shot (floorboards, etc.)

Even if you can't back up to do a wide with your 50mm lens, you had some good shots in this clip, but unfortunately, your weakest shot is also your dominating shot that we go back to over and over again.

Take a look at your shot at 0:29, that's a nice shot and would have been a much better shot to use for the main part of the interview. It gives us a better sense of the place we're in, and the tone of the interview.

My guess is that you'll nail it on the next interview!
 
thisisapocalypse said:
If you can get a hypercardiod mic (a Rode NT3 would be good) for this instead of a shotgun, that would be a good idea - a yoga studio is going to be one of the toughest interior environments to use a shotgun mic, it's hard surfaces everywhere and usually very minimal decor, so there's nothing to absorb sound.

The good thing though, despite the echo, you did get clear interview sound and it had nice detail, so that's definitely a win.

Would be a good idea as another poster said to utilize the environment of the yoga studio in creating your establishing shot (floorboards, etc.)
Click to expand...

Agree with sound suggestions. Also, some subtle backing music mixed into the interview will end up being more forgiving on the echo. On a side note, don't you think this type of discussion is so much better than the old 7D vs GH1 threads... :beer:
 
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