Background choices for multiple interviews at DVinfo.net

Bob Kerner · February 19th, 2010, 06:27 PM

I'm planning a project that will involve interviewing a couple dozen people several times over a period of about 6 months to a year. Some of the interviews will take place in my lab (where I will have control over the environment) while others will take place in other locations.

I'm weighing my options when it comes to backgrounds. I think I'd like to keep a consistent background to remove evidence of where the interviews were filmed. I also think having many different backgrounds behind the same subjects-as the locations change over time-- will become distracting to the viewer.

I'm leaning toward white seamless, which is easy enough to transport and set up and will bring the viewers' attention completely to the person being interviewed. Given the nature of the subject matter (healthcare) I also think white adds symbolism.

I'd like to have some other opinions.
Thanks
Bob

Oren Arieli · February 19th, 2010, 06:42 PM

If you're proficient with lighting and have control over the client's wardrobe, a pop-up Botero green/blue screen would give you maximum flexibility of background image (at the expense of more pre-production and post-production work). There are plenty of other 5'x7' portable (pop-up) Botero backgrounds that are more photographic looking. Mottled grays, mottled brown and mottled blue would probably be safe bets. They setup quickly and you can light them minimally and still get good results.

Collapsible Muslin

Kevin Spahr · February 21st, 2010, 08:03 AM

The thing that I would also think about would be sound. The rooms may sound very different even if you're using a lav. If it looks the same but sounds different that may be distracting too. Might be a good idea to test things first.

David W. Jones · March 2nd, 2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Kerner

I also think having many different backgrounds behind the same subjects-as the locations change over time-- will become distracting to the viewer.

I'm leaning toward white seamless, which is easy enough to transport and set up and will bring the viewers' attention completely to the person being interviewed. Given the nature of the subject matter (healthcare) I also think white adds symbolism.

I'd like to have some other opinions.
Thanks
Bob

Shoe on the other foot... Maybe your viewers will find the same white backdrop boring after time and would tune out. Introducing a shallower depth of field will help blur the background and keep focus on your subject.

All the Best!

John Wiley · March 7th, 2010, 06:21 AM

I agree that white might get a bit repetative over time. You'll need something to balance out the composition - for example, a simple streak of coloured light or some shadows from a Matte placed over your background light.

If you are shooting single camera with the same framing the whole time then I wouldn't rule out using a green screen. Gives you plenty of options in post and if you don't change the framing at all during the interviews it would be very easy.

Bob Kerner · March 7th, 2010, 09:06 AM

Good ideas. Thanks

February 19th, 2010, 06:27 PM	#1
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	Background choices for multiple interviews I'm planning a project that will involve interviewing a couple dozen people several times over a period of about 6 months to a year. Some of the interviews will take place in my lab (where I will have control over the environment) while others will take place in other locations. I'm weighing my options when it comes to backgrounds. I think I'd like to keep a consistent background to remove evidence of where the interviews were filmed. I also think having many different backgrounds behind the same subjects-as the locations change over time-- will become distracting to the viewer. I'm leaning toward white seamless, which is easy enough to transport and set up and will bring the viewers' attention completely to the person being interviewed. Given the nature of the subject matter (healthcare) I also think white adds symbolism. I'd like to have some other opinions. Thanks Bob

February 19th, 2010, 06:42 PM	#2
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	If you're proficient with lighting and have control over the client's wardrobe, a pop-up Botero green/blue screen would give you maximum flexibility of background image (at the expense of more pre-production and post-production work). There are plenty of other 5'x7' portable (pop-up) Botero backgrounds that are more photographic looking. Mottled grays, mottled brown and mottled blue would probably be safe bets. They setup quickly and you can light them minimally and still get good results. Collapsible Muslin

February 21st, 2010, 08:03 AM	#3
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	The thing that I would also think about would be sound. The rooms may sound very different even if you're using a lav. If it looks the same but sounds different that may be distracting too. Might be a good idea to test things first.

March 7th, 2010, 06:21 AM	#5
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	I agree that white might get a bit repetative over time. You'll need something to balance out the composition - for example, a simple streak of coloured light or some shadows from a Matte placed over your background light. If you are shooting single camera with the same framing the whole time then I wouldn't rule out using a green screen. Gives you plenty of options in post and if you don't change the framing at all during the interviews it would be very easy.

March 7th, 2010, 09:06 AM	#6
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	Good ideas. Thanks