HOW TO SHOOT A CINEMATIC INTERVIEW

[@mattih]

Who liked this style of showing how to film something? Also who wants to see a series on Tyler making Ikea furniture? 😂

[@raynersantos5092]

Tks Matti !! ... Videos like this, makes me think of. The amount of things I have to keep in mind .. and it's a world of challenges, I want more videos like this!

[@gmoney1740]

lets get matt a series that dude is AWESOME

[@njood2962]

Matti Haapoja show us more how to shoot cenamatic seance

[@FracnoTV]

I loved this video and learned a lot but I have two questions. 1) What do you think of the Errol Morris Interrotron style of interview? 2) How about the more casual “sitting side by side” interviews? It’d be interesting to hear your thoughts on how to set those up (lighting and mic placement) and how you handle them seeing as how you’re playing a larger part in the interview.

[@jaywoodrum8067]

Hey Matt, great video and info! I have a job coming up where I will be shooting impromptu interviews on location at an expo but i'm concerned about lighting... I won't be able to set up a full lighting set up... any thoughts?

[@Buubje13]

1 huge tip is to remain Silent for 2 seconds after their answer. 1. It’s soooo much easier in post 2. 9/10 times the subject will produce an extra answer

[@loganhunt8029]

As an editor this is literally the best

[@tony86082]

also helpful for the sound editor! 🙂

[@rorymarsh]

Such good advice! That's often how you get the best answers!

[@weslieonsando1124]

#facts

[@davissterling1724]

One thing that I have learned from doing interviews in the past. Is that you actually shouldn't put yourself or the the subject in a chair that moves. This is because people will have a tendency to move the chair around and that makes it look unprofessional and you will have major audio issues with the sounds of the chair moving.

[@DavisInDuval]

I’ve shot hundreds of interviews and all of Matti’s advice is solid. Only thing I could add is have someone with you to either man the camera/audio or to be the interviewer.

[@placeducinema]

Nailed it. If you can have one person you trust to handle the cams while you do the interview, it's such a load off your mind. If only to make sure you did hit "record". Control focus, because people tend to move, even while sitting in chairs. Make sure everything is ok, sound is good enough and so forth. So you can really focus on the task at hand, the interview, be 100% with your guest. Priceless.

[@eugenek1180]

It's amazing the amount of education that has become available with KZbin and professionals like Matti sharing their knowledge.

[@ThinkingArtEntertainment]

I know this was supposed to be a quick demonstration and not a complete guide, but be sure to watch your horizon/walls and check your camera level. And I would use a slightly tighter focal length and move the subject away from the wall a tad just to compress the distance a tad.

[@FracnoTV]

Who has the sudden urge to film an interview now?

[@mattih]

Do itttt!

[@FracnoTV]

I’m definitely planning on it in the near future!

[@matthewpaquette]

@@FracnoTV You can interview me. I'll share how to became a pro cod player

[@lionel.mukendi]

Haha, same!

[@rajajinnah6749]

Just finished filming and editing an interview this week. PRO TIP: If you can't afford a boom mic, just use a normal mic attached to a pole and use a stand or ask someone to hold. Then take an empty shot and mask it out in post.

[@ThisWayUpTravel]

great tip but be mindful if you are using natural light and the lighting changes. It'll show the masked shot in post.

[@TeppoHaapoja]

Were in sync! Great video once again my brother.

[@mattih]

🙌🏻

[@EpicLightMedia]

So much knowledge! Thank you Matti! Your piece about Potato Jet was amazing by the way.

[@Upmacher]

Epic Light Media to be honest.... your Tutorial on how to shoot in interview was waaaaaay better! Still love Matti's content. But when you tell me something about lighting I know it's good for business if Matti does it it's like okay... now I know how to make a KZbinr interview.

[@KevinLe]

Literally 90% of my work are interviews. So much involved in them. Thanks for shedding a light on them!

[@aliabdaal]

really helpful video thanks Matti :)

[@oskarneftel3756]

No way Ali haha! You really learn about everything don’t you🧐😉. You got me into Notion and convinced me to buy the IPad Pro 2020 12’’ over the 11’’. Thanks for ur videos!

[@sidd6803]

How the hell his comment only have 22 likes ..XD

[@ocfilmsdotcom]

Great video guys! Just a couple of more tips: We tend to flip what you did so that the key light is coming from the same direction the natural light is coming from. Thus, your negative fill will be darker and you can control that better. But I see what you did with using the natural light for a back light, that works too! - Another thing, we usually punch in a bit more on the lens so we don't have such a wide shot, at least 40mm. -- For the Bcam, that looked great. On that one maybe punch in until you don't see the light box and that would give you more of a close up. So 4K on the Acam (you can use two different focal shots there) and I would use the Bcam in HD. Total of 3 pretty nice angles :)

[@ThinkingArtEntertainment]

Yes, the wider angle close-up makes the wall seem unnaturally long and takes up a large portion of the frame.

[@TheRexonmax]

OC Films you should upload more to your channel. I’d love to hear you guys story of how you got started doing testimonials and things of that nature.

[@elbork1]

You totally forgot about the audio preparation. The camera angels and lighting was great but the audio quality of the interview is key.

[@blakewilliams3857]

Interviewing someone is honestly an art. It is so hard to do well! Especially when you are a one man band.

[@jemoraslife4]

I loved how he gives us a lot of visual representation to show us how it looks different. You have to make the background is about your interview because people pay attention to background and detail.

[@pal2tech]

Matti, really nice video with one. I like this direction you are taking with education and training. Well, done sir.

[@joshualickey112]

The waiting after they answer a question is priceless. In sales we call it the 5 second rule. I think it’s awesome how many techniques you use and are involved in an interview. Makes it more exciting so thank you Matti!!

[@marcusserrano2505]

Great job man! Very good advice and thanks for sharing with us all.

[@VoyagerMaldives]

Matti & MKBHD got the best sharpest creamiest video content ever

[@callamhoward6746]

Thank god you made this easy. I've just spent an hour watching other channels try explain it and I knew I could depend on Matti to deliver. Thanks man

[@alessandroperta]

Awkward silence... okay, I can do that!

[@AmritaBhortake]

Hey Matti, I struggle with lighting a scene and this helped a lot as I saw the exact process of how to film something. Thanks for creating this video! It helped me a lot

[@mattih]

Awesome 🙌🏻

[@placeducinema]

A lot depends on the person you interview. I've seen people come in, move the chair, ask to move the lights, first 5 minutes of the interview spent adapting the whole setup on the fly to suit the person's wishes. Not someone who could be talked out of it. The sooner you oblige, the faster you can go into the actual interview, usually with the clock ticking. So, technique is one thing, but get ready to work really fast and adapt when required. Also, I could never put such a huge light in the face of my guest, lights are usually a few feet away and we sit into that space together, with the camera on the side, so there's eye contact and a real intimacy between two persons, tools out of the way. You have to find ways for the picture to be great, but with utmost respect for people first. They're not dolls or statues - and yes, not always buddies you can negotiate with.

[@mattdayphoto]

Love this kind of video from you, Matti.

[@JussiAlexander]

This came just in the right time, we're just about to film an interview this week of my film editor friend Claudio! 😀

[@JonackFilm]

Haha me too ^^

[@bobowayyymedia8534]

Same here

[@MobiusStudiosJack]

@@bobowayyymedia8534 Wow, Claudio must be a popular guy!

[@BradSmithSC]

Got someone this Sunday .. but it's not Claudio

[@Rayan_A1]

There’s always a lot to learn about cinematography with Matti. One of my favorite channels

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

This was fantastic I learned a bunch of good tips. Thanks Matti! I'd love to see how you would set up the scene and cameras when the interviewer is also in the shot.

[@fluxpat]

Found your channel couple days ago and I'm so glad I did. I've played with cameras for years and you've already taught me heaps of key things in just 2 days!

[@AbrahamTario]

This is the ultimate lighting tip set up!

[@StewartMediaDigital]

2:06 I really appreciate that you talk about using the natural light you've got instead of fighting it. Sometimes it's right to bock everything out and start from scratch, but so often you can use natural light to your advantage!

[@555soul5]

just make sure it's not a super long interview where the lighting will change over time drastically. So ya he doesn't mention that does he. Because he's actually not done a lot of these before despite what he'll have you believe.

[@JulianLallo]

Needed this last week! Great insights Matti

[@mattih]

You’ll need it again!

[@JulianLallo]

I'm sure 👍🏻

[@Cimagery]

When you give the example of the interviewer being on the right side and having the interviewee looking to the edge of the frame, you're right, it looks odd. But have you seen Mr. Robot? They only shoot it that way and it's amazing!!! If you haven't seen that, you need to. They break that rule and it works.

[@mattih]

Yep but to do it for an interview would be a veeeeery specific use

[@speliotis]

Thanks Matti for this, I'm interviewing twelve artists( choreographers & Artists ) who collaborated on a dance concert in the next couple days.. These are run & gun style while they are preparing for a show... I will def keep your suggestions in mind... thank you

[@dinagalall]

The part about lighting came just in time! Thanks!

[@matmanx2]

Really helpful video. I always struggle somewhat with the ideal lighting and tend to like it at the time but looking back it looks a little dark

[@AxTechs]

I love binging these video's between netflix series

[@mattih]

Thanks dude 🙌🏻

[@lukemilano6332]

Really helpful video, love that you were able to achieve that look with just one light! Another thing I learned from a previous boss of mine is to ask interviewees to answer your questions in complete sentences. This ensures that their answers will make sense even without the context of your questions.

[@GriffinConway]

Nice video Matti! Thanks for sharing. A lot of good tips in this one!

[@TariqShaweesh]

Thank you, Matti! I learn a lot from you. You are awesome!

[@DustinHarrelson]

Really digging this! Super helpful and straightforward. Also, definitely gonna use that trick where you just continue to smile and nod after they get done answering to see what else they say🔥

[@mattih]

Oh it works every time!

[@CarEnthused]

"Why is he looking up so much?" This isn't B-roll of Matt! :D

[@StevenLipson93]

Great video Matti! No to nit pick, but I wanted to point out a couple of things that might be helpful! I know being super technical isn't as important as being able to get it done. I know this is a video about how to shoot interviews, and not a lighting video, but I think that it might be good to explain why the light gets softer and brighter when you move it closer and farther back. I see you aren't using a meter, and most other people probably aren't either. But it's possible to calculate the exposure of your light without checking the LCD (which isn't always perfectly acurate). The reason this can work is because of the Inverse Square Law (some physics for ya lol) the formula states light intensity is proportional to 1 over distance squared. The formula is 1/D Squared, D= Distance. This can be applied in stills with flash and video. So if you can do some basic algebra you can know you're properly exposed. When you remove light from a subject using "canvas" it's has a technical term called "negative fill" and the material that is typically used is called duvetyne. This material doesn't let ANY light through, unlike other certain materials, so that's fairly important. Just to lend myself some credibility, I know these things since I'm a 1st assistant cameraman, director of photography, and a gaffer!

[@travelinggiants]

Love tutorials like this! SO HELPFUL!!

[@RalfGJKnoll]

I also liked the interview tips (from minute 13:00 onwards) - especially when you said, that through "awkward silence" (minute 14:20) the interviewer could provoke an "emotional answer".

[@ds2xa]

All your tips were spot on and super useful, but I was waiting for tips on audio...mic placement, boom vs lav. and when to use each.

[@markshallenberger6195]

Love the “real time” setup of the the gear. Gave me the feels of how I am every time I set up my lights haha love it Matti!

[@ericashaffer6664]

I didn't know how to properly light an interview subject, so this was a great video and very helpful. I would only add that you should try to ask open-ended questions. Don't give your subject the opportunity to give a yes/no answer. Best to start questions with what, how, why, etc. Thanks again for the video.

[@kristopherrainwater2681]

Thanks for the great advice Matti. Did a few interviews during my first couple shoots and didn’t do some of these tips. Glad to find them now.

[@tylerhuttosmith]

As a fellow Tyler, this video was even more captivating than usual

[@mattih]

Glad you liked it fellow Tyler 😂

[@TylerWells]

🤙🤙🤙

[@raredreamfootage]

2:35 - Actually you do have shape on your face there. What is enabling this is that only 2 of the 4 walls have windows, so the other two walls act as a block.

[@boxofchocolates2362]

I feel the lens is too wide for that interview setup to feel "cinematic" as you put it, also you have the wall divide coming up behind his head which is super distracting. Mediocre interview setup at the bare min, hardly "cinematic"

[@albangaval]

I wasn't a fan of the way the harshness and color of the window light he kept in. It was hitting too far from the side. And while you don't want the subject to look too flat, too dynamic shadows can be unwanted as well. It's an edgier look, but you may not want that for a bakery owner or what have you.

[@andreanicole2006]

Some great advice in the video but I totally agree on the wall divide splitting the head...first thing I noticed, and couldn't stop looking at it!

[@DownBeatDenver]

The mini Red Bull fridge! Gotta get one of those for our studio!

[@skyactivemedia4483]

Real sound knowledge Matti, the amount of times I've always wondered how's the best way of going about this...and now you've clearly answered this. I shall bookmark this video and go back time and time again to brush up on my skills. Cheers matey!

[@torbenmayer]

I like the videos showing the actual behind the scenes of stuff like this. Would be great to see how your (light) setup is when your sitting on your desk for the video. Also which mic you are using for stationary filming.

[@JoshMindemann]

Completely agree that short lighting looks better than broad lighting.

[@beholdfilms1617]

Love your work Matti. Only thing I would say about the interview set up is that it looks lit and not naturally motivated. But maybe you can tackle that in another video!

[@nda42831]

at 8:47 mark is the perfect example of keeping the camera more on the shadow side of the face and lighting the smaller side of the face to get that more cinematic look you see in movies more and more all the time.

[@MilesBergstrom]

A few other commenters have pointed out some things they would change. One thing I would add to this as a tip: do not place your interviewee in a chair that rolls or swivels if you can. You could see it even in this video how much the subject fidgets in the chair by going side to side. Otherwise, a good approach to how to light an interview using a key, fill, and hair light (3 point lighting FTW)

[@ScottGerke]

You got an "all" bell button subscriber here! I'm preparing for an interview tomorrow and this is exactly what I needed! Now, what camera settings would you suggest?

[@northwesten]

I want to try this out with a low budget! With a great video like this helps me to learn and figure things out. I am pretty nervous about it but mainly trying to figure out questions to ask with the subject.

[@ricardoduarte6589]

You know what? The best impacted interviewing tv broadcast I ever watched had a plain black backboard panel, very dim light, almost black, just enough to show the contours of the interviewing subject, pouring ad hock puffs of cigarette smoking clouds. Very near close-ups, slow up and down, sideways panning on the interviewed mouth, chins, hands, a virtual body surface X ray , sweating pores,, so human, so harsh human exposure. No 3D or composing rules here. Just crude and naked exposure of a human being under the stress of challenging questions. WOW. An ongoing suspense/drama live broadcasting.

[@meysambabaei5760]

Aside from perfect tips, thumbnail is the best one I've seen in this week!!

[@AustenHartley]

Super practical and useful. Thanks Matti !

[@brandonsuttonart5233]

i've been filming a few interviews and this video helps a TON with how I should switch up my setup.

[@benmarks7067]

Your videos are so good and to the point man. There is no fat. Fantastic work brother!!

[@HappeChappe]

Filmed an interview a couple of hours ago and now I wish I could go back and redo it. It wasn't bad though...

[@BrendanExplores]

Thanks for the Tips Matt 👍 maybe I'll use some of these in my future videos 😃

[@parajeopan]

wow ，big thanks to your tutorial. the light, the frame, the position. thanks it's very useful. i learned much from your video.

[@RodneyGardner]

Awesome video Matti! Imformative and clear info combnined with a touch of entertainment... Love it!

[@fitlovepower661]

Thanks for this BTS of setting up interviews really helpful

[@placeducinema]

Such an interesting and inspiring video. Thanks! And thank Tyler!

[@CliffKajun]

I don't know how I missed this video. Matti, this might be the most valuable video you've done from our perspective. Thank you!🤟

[@JeremyAbles01]

Matti, I checked your kit page for your audio setup but can’t figure out how you are going from the microphone mount to the manfrotto magic arm this is a fantastic one man band setup! Keep up the hard work brotha!

[@asifjaved7672]

Dear Matti, I have learned a lot from you. One of the finest guys on YT. Dear, I have a question? Can you please tell me from where did you buy that dark wood-tiles background? Any link? Or did you make it on your own? I wish I could know how did you make it?

[@andrewp1513]

Thank you so much from Sydney. Very helpful and timely.

[@JakeHalfDone]

Preparing to do this now. Very timely. Thanks Matti!

[@mattih]

Not easy!

[@bobvegana4752]

Love this format of videos

[@UtahsHighlander]

Camera on the shadow side of face made a huge difference. Thanks. Very useful. Kiitos oivalluksesta!

[@MrChikamogbo]

Thank You Mattie for this Video

[@Goose619]

Great job as always matti!

[@schoondog3756]

Dude, I was just assigned an interview project in my video Production Class; your timing could not have been better!

[@RichardLalonde]

Great video! Gave me some ideas of what I can do for an upcoming shoot!

[@makemoneywben]

This BTS style tutorial is awesome Matti! Love seeing these style videos

[@thenoblepixel7586]

Very helpful Matti! I have some interviews planned later this year. This is a video I'll have to refer to.

[@hazem3240]

Amazing man!!! so useful ... I do not know if you can help us in a series about making documentaries, and please use the same approach that you used in this video. It is concise and informative as well.

[@bobturing]

One thing is that there's a line going right into the top of his head. If it were me, I'd get rid of that.

[@davidhenderson5051]

Yeah... agree 100%... lol. Head being split open by the corner line... not good at all.. lol! Blind Freddy can see this. All the other suggestions were legit tho. Was nice of him to offer this advice for nada... ;o)

[@ivanmadethis]

Yup. It's the first thing I noticed and I thought "let's see how he fixes that." He didn't lol. And the only reason I paid attention to that is because I've made that mistake and then my client complained about it.

[@Chromedbustop]

That's getting into nitpicking territory. This was obviously meant to be an idea of how you want to set up your interview and how you might apply it to any setting you're in. Not how to set up an interview EXACTLY for this specific location. At some point you as the recipient of this information are going to have to have to figure such things out for yourself rather than having someone else show you.

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Absolutely right, gonna shoot an interview next Friday and this video is pure gold. Thanks very much buddy and congrats again on the new baby!👶🏼

[@MousyLeigh]

Great stuff as always

[@DylanHaskin]

Hey Matti! Thanks for the video! Great tip about having the dark side of the face to the camera. Will def try that out in my next shoot.

[@scottmckenna]

What arm are you using on top of the camera to get the shotgun microphone in a different position?

[@jllyhtdg563]

finally found the right term for this! i was trying so hard to explain the shots i wanted.

[@Josko19]

Great advices, really helpfull!! Will you do similar video but the subject will not be interviewed, he would be telling the story? Like you on the end of this video. So maybe same questions from that position, where to look? How to light it? How to mic it? What if running and gunning and no lights but still wants someone to tell a story... stuff like that.

[@rbnzdave]

Sweet tips. Unfortunately couldn't unsee the rebel tuft of hair that I noticed while assessing the hairstyle.

[@somehighlights2851]

Why would you frame it like that? The back corner of the room look wierd as hell, kinda crooked

[@123jewtuber]

Great content! Shoot in 1080 and export to 4k? OR shoot 4k?

[@abdessamadtnifoui4735]

thank you so much for those piece of advice I'm preparing for my first interview

[@aliruane]

Really good stuff here Matti. Thanks.

[@MichaelBlanksonGolf]

That was brilliant and super helpful. Thank you.

[@marceloaviles5369]

Matti, this is pure gold, thank you, very instructive, interesting and fun, like always, cheers mate !