shooting interviews

TubEfingers

TubEfingers

Well-known member
hey all,
ill be shooting some interviews to be used for podcasts,
in pal-SD using available light
any advice on settings, and links to any other info greatly appreciated
thanks
 
Well I'm not the guy to ask for settings, as I've only just started using the HVX for ENG. You can't get as shallow a DOF with this camera as you can with the 2/3" cams. But these steps will help you get somewhat of a blurry background.

1. Get your subject far away from the background (and choose the proper background - not too flat and boring, but not too messy either)

2. Get your camera far away from the subject and zoom in.

3. Open the iris completely and use the shutter to control your light instead. You want to have the iris as open as possible, when looking for the shallow DOF.

Maybe there's different settings, that can help you aswell, but I haven't looked into that at all yet.
 
Keep in mind that for podcasts, you final output size will be small, so the more close-up your shots are the better, especially if you shoot some B-Roll to play during the interviews. Any wide angle shots won't hold much detail.

Even with using available light, try to do it somewhere with enough light to fill the face. Dark faces = blah.
 
Get subject close to a window with northern exposure.

Beautiful soft skylight as a key.

White balance near window.

Subject should face a little bit toward window, while still looking
at interviewer.

Interviewer should be tucked up against wall, so the subject is facing as much
to window direction as possible.

Good luck!
 
excellent tips lads,nice one
if im using available light is it better to avoid using the rooms/office lights where possible?or maybe reflecting them onto the subject?
also for WB is white paper/card best way?or slight off colour for good skin tones
aprreciate any more advice people might have,
scene settings?
 
everyone has good tips... but u need good audio..buy a lav and hook it up to the subject..onboard audio sux
 
For WB, I really like Warm Cards. This set will give you gradations of cards allowing you to balance toward warmer tones. Each card also has pure white on the reverse side. Natural light is always the best. When you need lighting, I love the effect of a softbox with eggcrate.

Ned Soltz
 
WB: I'd set it properly with a white sheet of paper is fine. You can warm it up a bit with the color balance setting in the menu (HVX/DVX)

FILL LIGHTS: Office Lights: Probably NO. They most likely are a different color and may not be in the right place. You can turn them on and see however. Bring a big piece of white foam core and set that next to their dark side instead.

KEY LIGHT: as MIKELPD said exactly. Make sure their dark side of the face is towards camera. (this provides more modeling)

ZEBRAS: Set and watch your zebras. If you set them at 70 and see a few of them on the face then your good (i think anyways). Set the other at 100 - hopefully you won't see any of those anywhere in the scene. If someone would like to discuss where they put their IREs for the face please do tell.

MIC: yes a good mic. Wired is always more reliable and easier to set up of course.

COMPOSITION: Place your subject 1/3 into the frame - never dead center (unless it's a child then place them right in the center. Also have your subject looking into the frame (as opposed to off - out of the frame)
 
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