3 person interview

Don Bloom · March 3rd, 2014, 08:36 PM

Kathy,
I was just watching a well known network news anchor doing an interview with a well known actor in the same configuration that your going to use. 2 chairs across from each other, 2...I say again, 2 - Flouresent lights. One lighting up each of the people and a 3rd light looked like a lite-panel by the master camera just to open up some shadows.
3 cameras One going to each person and one as a master shot. It looked great.

Anthony Lelli · March 4th, 2014, 04:23 AM

don,
nice and simple. The on-camera lights are useful like you said to "ease" the shadows but the two lights will give a flat lighting if let alone: that setup (it's a classic actually) only works when the background is not important, black , street or city life happening in the back (outdoor and daylight) or there is a screen rolling. There is no better way to light from the above, each talent (in my opinion) . I know it's old fashion :) things are changing fast also with the lighting (lately).

Kathy Smith · March 5th, 2014, 05:27 AM

Hi All,

No, I have not shot this yet. That's happening in about a week and a half. Don, any way you can tell me what interview you watched?
BTW, I am using 2 kino divas 401. I do have access to additional light now, ARRI (but I am not crazy about these and I don't know how to match them with my divas). I am actually thinking that I would like the lighting to look natural. I am going to shoot this in a big open space where there will be activity such as people working at their desks and people walking around in the same space behind my subjects. This is by choice.
Jay asked about my audio plan. For audio am going to mic both subjects directly to my camera (C100)win an XLR cable. I am sung Sanken COS-D mics.

Don Bloom · March 5th, 2014, 06:04 AM

Kathy,
The interview was Dan Rather and Edward Norton. 3 cameras and it appeared to be 3 lights. It looked to my eye anyway, to be a nicely lit and nicely framed out interview. The interview is one of a series by Rather being shown on AXSTv which is owned by Mark Cuban. Mostly music (concerts of some really good bands) but it also shows movies and now is doing these interviews.

You can most certainly use the Divas and the Arri together but if you're looking for a more natural look to the lighting then perhaps use the Arri as a center fill and the Divas cross lighting the subjects. The Arri can be bounced off a foamcore sheet to soften up the fill but you need to watch out for spill. If you're not comfortable mixing the lights then don't.

Daniel Epstein · March 6th, 2014, 03:21 PM

Hey Kathy,
Your Diva 401's are a good start. I have a Diva 200 Kit with 2 Diva 200's and a couple of Diva 400's as well if you want to go all Kino Flo. You might want to have a mixer (I have those as well) in between your mics so you can control levels more easily than the on camera controls. Local NYC

March 3rd, 2014, 08:36 PM	#16
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: 3 person interview Kathy, I was just watching a well known network news anchor doing an interview with a well known actor in the same configuration that your going to use. 2 chairs across from each other, 2...I say again, 2 - Flouresent lights. One lighting up each of the people and a 3rd light looked like a lite-panel by the master camera just to open up some shadows. 3 cameras One going to each person and one as a master shot. It looked great. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

March 4th, 2014, 04:23 AM	#17
Anthony Lelli Major Player Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 329	Re: 3 person interview don, nice and simple. The on-camera lights are useful like you said to "ease" the shadows but the two lights will give a flat lighting if let alone: that setup (it's a classic actually) only works when the background is not important, black , street or city life happening in the back (outdoor and daylight) or there is a screen rolling. There is no better way to light from the above, each talent (in my opinion) . I know it's old fashion :) things are changing fast also with the lighting (lately).

March 5th, 2014, 05:27 AM	#18
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Re: 3 person interview Hi All, No, I have not shot this yet. That's happening in about a week and a half. Don, any way you can tell me what interview you watched? BTW, I am using 2 kino divas 401. I do have access to additional light now, ARRI (but I am not crazy about these and I don't know how to match them with my divas). I am actually thinking that I would like the lighting to look natural. I am going to shoot this in a big open space where there will be activity such as people working at their desks and people walking around in the same space behind my subjects. This is by choice. Jay asked about my audio plan. For audio am going to mic both subjects directly to my camera (C100)win an XLR cable. I am sung Sanken COS-D mics.

March 5th, 2014, 06:04 AM	#19
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: 3 person interview Kathy, The interview was Dan Rather and Edward Norton. 3 cameras and it appeared to be 3 lights. It looked to my eye anyway, to be a nicely lit and nicely framed out interview. The interview is one of a series by Rather being shown on AXSTv which is owned by Mark Cuban. Mostly music (concerts of some really good bands) but it also shows movies and now is doing these interviews. You can most certainly use the Divas and the Arri together but if you're looking for a more natural look to the lighting then perhaps use the Arri as a center fill and the Divas cross lighting the subjects. The Arri can be bounced off a foamcore sheet to soften up the fill but you need to watch out for spill. If you're not comfortable mixing the lights then don't. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don Last edited by Don Bloom; March 5th, 2014 at 06:08 AM. Reason: to add information about lights

March 6th, 2014, 03:21 PM	#20
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Re: 3 person interview Hey Kathy, Your Diva 401's are a good start. I have a Diva 200 Kit with 2 Diva 200's and a couple of Diva 400's as well if you want to go all Kino Flo. You might want to have a mixer (I have those as well) in between your mics so you can control levels more easily than the on camera controls. Local NYC