How to Film Professional Interviews Anywhere || Gear, 2-Person Set-Ups & More

This video is a deep dive on how to film an interview on a budget, with minimal gear, anywhere, at anytime, on your own. My intention is for it to be the only tutorial you'll need to watch. In it, I break down the 4 interview set-ups you may find yourself in, and how to take advantage of them with your interview style and the gear you have. Then, I explain the audio and lighting gear you need for a pocket-sized, but professional set-up that you can travel with anywhere. Lastly, I discuss which cameras will suit each of your interview set-ups.
Below is a list of each piece of gear I reference in the video. They links are Amazon affiliate links, and I greatly appreciate you buying the gear with them, if I helped you at all in this video, and if you'd like to help me out.
AUDIO GEAR IN VIDEO:
Affordable Shotgun Microphone: amzn.to/3I8hrsM
Best Interview Lav Mic Recorders -- Two Options: RODE -- amzn.to/3OH9H3F | DJI -- amzn.to/3yCXWFI (buy mics separately for recorders)
Lav Mic: amzn.to/3yCN5M8
Portable Recorder: amzn.to/3yCYj34
LIGHTING GEAR IN VIDEO:
Mini RGB Key Light: amzn.to/3R68q7J
Mini Light Accessories & Barn Doors: amzn.to/3yb2u4D
5-1 Reflector (32 in): amzn.to/3AnBrGe
Reflector Holder: amzn.to/3OGO82X
Cheap Light Stands: amzn.to/3P1h85c
CAMERAS MENTIONED:
Perfect Camera, but no autofocus: amzn.to/3yBU9s6
Best Overall Camera, if you have budget: amzn.to/3Aqxfp1
Cheapest Camera for Full-Frame + Autofocus: amzn.to/3OLBNuI
Affordable Option for Seated + Street Interviews: amzn.to/3P1iRYe (out-of-stock most places now. Get above option if so)
Most Affordable, Great for Two-Camera Interviews: amzn.to/3NyiXFX
ACCESSORIES IN VIDEO:
Camera/Travel Backpack (flying friendly): amzn.to/3a8kk0q
Budget Tripod: amzn.to/3ugjrcQ
Affordable Touchscreen Monitor: amzn.to/3RiKhev
Monitor/Accessory Mounts: amzn.to/3ujUmhd
SSD Drive: amzn.to/3uj0eHm
0:00 - 1:13 - Minimalist Interview Kit
1:13 - 2:28 - The 4 Types of Interviews - Which one you are
2:28 - 4:27 - INTERVIEW #1: One Camera + Subject
4:27 - 5:50 - INTERVIEW #2: One Camera + Interviewer & Subject
5:50 - 6:53 - INTERVIEW #3: Two Cameras + Interviewer & Subject
6:53 - 8:35 - Why I regret using this set-up
8:35 - 9:54 - INTERVIEW #4: Two Cameras + Subject
9:54 - 10:31 - Let's talk about gear
10:31 - 15:20 - Best audio/sound set-up for interviews
15:20 - 20:54 - Travel-sized lighting kit + set-up for interviews
20:54 - 31:53 - Camera recommendations for each style of interviewing
31:53 - 32:41 - Lens/focal length recommendations
32:41 - 33:12 - You can do it!

[@levisworld5331]

Literally the most helpful video I’ve seen on the internet. I’m a lot less nervous about my first shoot tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to make this and putting it out for free

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

I have only just found this and found it interesting but thought I should point the fifth form and one that single TV camera people have used for interviews with one camera and a reporter for years. What they do is shoot the interviewee all the way through the interview and then film the reporter doing noddies and asking the questions. This can be used if you are on your own and you want to be the reporter or interviewer in shot as you can shoot the interviewee while behind the camera and then re set up the camera for your questions and noddies.

[@tibfox]

What a great video! A lot of value in here + the fact that you transfer confidence because now we know what we could have to deal with and how to solve difficult situations. Thank you for sharing this mate!

[@kyai_funky]

32:50 , yes, this video is really helped me.. thx man..

[@IsaacBTTF]

Such an amazing video! Thanks!

[@Scriptshepherd]

You're welcome, and thank you!!

[@jb194]

Thank you for this. I am diving into branding and this is awesome intel. Much appreciated😊

[@Scriptshepherd]

My pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@instrumentals737]

Excellent no rush video!! WOuld you be able to upload avideo that shows what you do once youve got all the footage recorded, your editing workflow. what software and how to get to the final video? Thank you

[@peterbear2929]

Excellent presentation. Very thorough and details were very relevant for your audience. Hope you get a ton more views.

[@Scriptshepherd]

Thank you Peter!

[@kaushikkaushik8475]

Ehud....I was looking for simplicity, ease & clarity for shooting 2 person interviews...and trust me you made it all happen for me...Thank you so much...I hardly subscribe to a KZbin channel...but i did for yours...i felt compelled...your calm, visual & descriptive approach is very helpful for learning and understanding..Please keep shooting more interviews & more videos for people like me to learn...

[@Scriptshepherd]

Thank you for writing this Kaushik!! I try my best :)

[@bryaneditiontv600]

What a gem of a channel🔥🔥🔥

[@freemenlewis2809]

Thanks for the tips! I have some interviews coming up.

[@Scriptshepherd]

My pleasure. Good luck with the interviews

[@freemenlewis2809]

@@Scriptshepherd thanks so much! Sooner or later I’ll get a second camera just picked up some wireless BOYA XM6 S1 Lavs highly reccomend

[@Scriptshepherd]

@@freemenlewis2809 Thank you for recommending! Always good to know of some quality lavs.

[@IlDiarioDellaMiaSleeve]

Thank you! I need to learn how to make interviews for my channel... I have a very limited budget and limited equipment... I have to make it at best with just 2 Insta360 RS 4K cameras (action cameras), the Rode Wireless GO II and no lights... It will be a challenge!

[@Scriptshepherd]

You're welcome! I understand - sometimes you have to make interviews work with a limited budget. I would recommend utilizing natural lighting with a window, and perhaps selling the two Insta 360 cameras to buy a cheap M43 or APS-C sensor camera. Although, I don't know what type of interviews you do.

[@henrydidit]

Great video, thanks for sharing. A quick question on focus mode for option 2. How do you manage that when you are part of the interview. Do you set focus manually and then hope for the best or is there another trick here? Thanks a mil!

[@Scriptshepherd]

Thanks for watching! A couple options: 1. If you are interviewing someone in a wide two-person shot (like in the video example at 5:18), manually focus on the other person, and then sit across from them in the same focal plane, where if they are in focus, you will be too. It also helps to use a wider aperture (higher f-stop #, e.g. f/5.6).and wider angle (lower mm#, e.g. 24mm) This allows more of the scene to be in focus, and reduces the chance of moving out of focus. 2. Connect an external monitor to the camera, whether remotely or with a long cable that reaches where you are sitting. Enable focus peaking lines on the monitor, and you'll be able to monitor if you are in focus. 3. Use a camera with reliable autofocus

[@henrydidit]

@@Scriptshepherd that's perfect. Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive response. Much appreciated 😁

[@America2gether]

Awesome info. I have a quick question, I love the accessories on the black magic, however, I'm totally nervous about doing sit-down interviews and having the subject moving around as people do when nervous energy takes over. Where is the happy medium? My budget for cameras hovering around 6-7K. Thanks, Alan

[@Scriptshepherd]

Hey Alan, thanks for comment. Will you be behind the camera for the interviews? If so, you could monitor the focus/framing. You can also use a wider lens (like 35mm) and a narrower aperture (like F/4), so that more is in frame and in focus, and the subject is less likely to move out of it. Otherwise, I'd recommend going with a camera with reliable eye-tracking autofocus, some of which I have listed in the description. With your budget, I think the best overall option is the Sony FX3: amzn.to/3IgVati That said, you can definitely get cheaper APS-C cameras for high quality interviews, such as the new FX30, and even pair it with a Blackmagic for two angles.

[@America2gether]

@@Scriptshepherd Thank you for your reply - I found gold with your channel.

[@Scriptshepherd]

@@America2gether My pleasure, I'm glad to hear it!

[@kelvinsakala]

❤

[@theRaeCast]

Thanks so much. This was super helpful.I would like to do more scenario 4 type interviews and only have a Canon Gshot Mark 2 camera which does the job. With zero money, which camera would you suggest buddies up well and cheap mics too please? Thanks again.

[@theRaeCast]

Unfortunately the canon doesnt take a microphone either which is a challenge ..

[@Scriptshepherd]

I'm glad the video helped!! With zero money, I recommend pairing your smartphone with it. You could buy another point-and-shoot (like a Panasonic LX-10) for a few hundred bucks, but at that quality level, I'd rather utilize my phone, and save up for camera upgrades and audio. For audio, I'd recommend getting a cheap shotgun mic, like the Takstar SGC-600 I linked in the description. You can mount it on a light stand/boom arm over your subject, and run a long 3.5mm cord into an audio recorder like this Zoom H1n: amzn.to/3XjnDVc Then you can monitor your audio from the Zoom recorder. If you want something more compact and "set-it-and-forget-it" - I'd get the Tascam DR-10L: amzn.to/3GTZ2RL You can mic up your subject and record straight to it. You wouldn't really be able to monitor your audio, but it can record two tracks at different levels for safety. I often rely on this for professional work, and it's a solid option. Let me know if that helps and if you have any questions!

[@theRaeCast]

@@Scriptshepherd thanks so much! I'd like to go for the set it and forget it an option. Basically I want my audio as well as the person I am recording to be recorded too so will the Tascam do both of the interviews?

[@theRaeCast]

on my canon gshot mark 2 which wont take the mic but ah I see so both interviews audio will go into the Tascam right?

[@Scriptshepherd]

​@@theRaeCast Ohh, I didn't realize you need to record your own audio. The Tascam can only record one person at a time - so you'd need two of them (one for each person). But yes, the audio records into the Tascam, not your camera. Alternatively, you could get a 2-person wireless lavalier system, like I discuss at 13:54 in the video. This will provide one receiver and two transmitters, for you and your subject (though you'll have to buy lav mics separately and a recorder to plug the receiver into). I have the Rode and DJI mics linked in the description, but I personally prefer DJI now. The issue with these is, because they're wireless, you can get transmission interference (static/drop-outs). To get one of these systems would cost the same as buying two Tascams, so I'd personally recommend getting two Tascam DR-10Ls.

[@smallbizdigitalmedia]

Fantastic video although for longer format recording the A7IV sadly can overheat 🥵

[@lifeexamined7219]

Thank you! And that's a great point. Since the time this video came out, it's probably better to find a used A7siii, or new cameras that have been released that have addressed overheating, like a Canon R6ii or Panasonic S5ii.

[@soonyanaidu7875]

There seems to be some latency in audio