Setting up three person interview at DVinfo.net

Vedran Rupic · August 9th, 2006, 03:27 AM

I would like to know if this can be done.
I want to shot an interview with three people at the same time, I just dont know how to place them, light them and frame them?

thanks!

Vedran

Don Bloom · August 9th, 2006, 05:41 AM

Off the top of my head there are 3 ways to do this. FIRST, set all 3 up together perhaps at a small desk like table and use the "news anchor" type look OR set up 2 people on 1 side and the interviewer across from them ala 60 minutes, 20/20 or most any other news magazine show OR you could set them up like a late night talk show. The interviewer at a table or desk with the interviewees to one side on say 2 chairs or a couch. There are variations of all these setups. As for how to shoot them, FIRST you need to light them and for that you'll need at minimum a 3 point kit, probably 5 or 6 to do it right, then again to do it PROPERLY figure 3 camera minumum better with 4 depending on the seating arrangment could use 5. Don't forget audio, 3 boom mics-one over each talking head OR 3 lavs might be wired or could be wireless depending on the setup. OF course thats all to do it right-if you need to do it gorilla then 2 cams, a couple of lights and a couple of lavs-shoot, change position, shoot the same thing again etc, gets old and too many chances for mistakes.
Old saying, "there's never enough time to do it right BUT there's always enough time to do it again"

Don

Don Donatello · August 11th, 2006, 03:07 PM

can you give a little more info on the interview .
is this business type interview ... news room type ... 60 min type ...
or more casual 3 persons at home ? at office , at location ?

for casual home i usually put them on a couch - camera in front of all - move couch so i'm getting 2/3 angle natural light from window on all 3 ... i then use a short shotgun on Boom ( with op ) and i use one boundary mic in front of all 3 ... move in for med & C/U depending on questions and dynamic of group ....

Vedran Rupic · August 11th, 2006, 05:52 PM

the interview is going to be casual, and i will like to do it pretty much as simple as possible.
Minimizing setups.
I like some of the ideas presented here, but more input will be greatly appreciated.

August 9th, 2006, 03:27 AM	#1
Vedran Rupic Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Örebro, Sweden Posts: 71	Setting up three person interview I would like to know if this can be done. I want to shot an interview with three people at the same time, I just dont know how to place them, light them and frame them? thanks! Vedran

August 9th, 2006, 05:41 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Off the top of my head there are 3 ways to do this. FIRST, set all 3 up together perhaps at a small desk like table and use the "news anchor" type look OR set up 2 people on 1 side and the interviewer across from them ala 60 minutes, 20/20 or most any other news magazine show OR you could set them up like a late night talk show. The interviewer at a table or desk with the interviewees to one side on say 2 chairs or a couch. There are variations of all these setups. As for how to shoot them, FIRST you need to light them and for that you'll need at minimum a 3 point kit, probably 5 or 6 to do it right, then again to do it PROPERLY figure 3 camera minumum better with 4 depending on the seating arrangment could use 5. Don't forget audio, 3 boom mics-one over each talking head OR 3 lavs might be wired or could be wireless depending on the setup. OF course thats all to do it right-if you need to do it gorilla then 2 cams, a couple of lights and a couple of lavs-shoot, change position, shoot the same thing again etc, gets old and too many chances for mistakes. Old saying, "there's never enough time to do it right BUT there's always enough time to do it again" Don

August 11th, 2006, 03:07 PM	#3
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	can you give a little more info on the interview . is this business type interview ... news room type ... 60 min type ... or more casual 3 persons at home ? at office , at location ? for casual home i usually put them on a couch - camera in front of all - move couch so i'm getting 2/3 angle natural light from window on all 3 ... i then use a short shotgun on Boom ( with op ) and i use one boundary mic in front of all 3 ... move in for med & C/U depending on questions and dynamic of group ....

August 11th, 2006, 05:52 PM	#4
Vedran Rupic Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Örebro, Sweden Posts: 71	the interview is going to be casual, and i will like to do it pretty much as simple as possible. Minimizing setups. I like some of the ideas presented here, but more input will be greatly appreciated.