What does Studio Interview Settings mean?

There are a number of possible contexts in which to conduct interviews. The first to familiarize yourself with is the sitting interview. Whether it's in a permanent studio or somebody's living room, you have to organize the interviewer, guest(s) and cameras to reach the look and feel that best suits your purposes.

There are a number of joint floor plans that you can choose from.

Often you will be constrained by factors like space and the number of cameras. The following guidance includes options for most of the settings.

1 Guest, 1 Camera

In this straightforward case, the interviewer and the guest receive the same coaching and appear with the same importance. This is useful if you are not sure who will be speaking the most, or if the speaking time is split equally between the interviewer and the guest. This is a rather informal setting, particularly suitable for less formal interviews.

1 Guest, 1 Camera

Taking the same position and moving the camera to one side gives another impression.

Now the guest is much further ahead and becomes the main point of interest.

The interviewer may face the camera at the start and end of the interview, but not typically during the interview. This leaves the interviewer with the profile framing so that your pictures will be booked for the guest. From time to time, you may zoom out on a 2-shot and then again to the guest. If the VI needs to be modified, you will likely align most of the interview with the guest.

At the end of the interview, move the camera to the other side and pull the questions and noddies (more on that later).

1 Guest, 2-3 Cameras

The addition of a second camera facing the interviewer not only provides a second shot, but also allows each camera to crop its shot while the other camera is being used. This allows you to cut between a variety of photos without having to zoom in and out permanently. A third camera at the center adds the security and agility of a permanent 2-shot.

2 Guests, 2 Cameras

This arrangement warmly welcomes two guests. This works well when guests are somewhat connected (e.g. family members or co-workers), or share similar perspectives on the topic. If you have a camera covering the two guests, they can be covered with a 2-shot mostly, but you'll probably want to include some tighter pictures. The cameraman should travel cautiously among the guests to follow the speaker. With the additional camera option, this issue is eliminated because a camera is dedicated to each guest.

2 Guests, 2-3 Cameras

This arrangement may be best if the guests are likely to be antagonistic towards one another, or do not want to sit so closely together.

2 Guests, 2-3 Cameras

By placing guests on opposite sides of a table, you create a more adversarial situation. This is appropriate for guests who have opposite views about the topic.