How to Choose a Filming Location for Video Interviews
In this video, I discuss how we choose an interview location for video testimonials and corporate overviews. The three main factors are sound, lighting, and background.
A quiet room is preferred because we’ll be recording audio. We try to find a place that doesn’t have people walking through or talking. If it’s a window near a street, we’ll make sure the road noise isn’t too loud. If there is AC or heating, we’ll see if it can be turned off during the interview. If there is some noise we can’t control, it may be able to be removed with de-noise effects during editing. We also check the echo of the room to see if it's distracting. One way to reduce the echo is to place sound blankets around the room.
Next, we look at the room’s lighting. We prefer filming with natural light, so a room with windows is a plus. We don’t want direct sunlight though. One way we plan for this is by using an app to see where the sun will be at different points during the day. We also check to see if we can turn off the overhead lights if needed, and if there are outlets for when we set up our own lights.
Speaking of setting up our own lights, a larger room is better because it gives us enough space to set up our equipment. A bigger space also allows for more depth between the interview subject and the background. This separation also creates more depth of field, AKA a blurry background.
Finally, we see if the room has an interesting background that we can use for the interview. This might mean placing the interview subject in their normal environment. For example, a chemist in a laboratory. This helps provide context and tell the story for the video. Other times it’s good enough just to have the background look nice. We want something interesting, so not a white wall, but also not too distracting. Some simple pictures or plants in the background is usually enough to make a basic space work.
We’re Spoken Frame Media -
A story-driven video production company serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin area. Focusing on company overviews, client and employee testimonials, and careers page videos, we’re experts in helping you communicate your message to the right audience.
With our specialized production teams, we’ll bring your project to life using premium equipment, professional expertise, and a stress-free production environment so you’re sure to make the best first impression.
Looking to collaborate with a video production team you can trust? Get in touch with us today.