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Lighting sit-down interviews are a staple of commercial and documentary filmmaking. Every situation is different and can be influenced by the story, brand, location, and subject. Being able to create a lighting environment that fits within the project you are working on - and makes the subject feel comfortable in the space - can be a valuable tool to have as a cinematographer. By working with natural light, creating separation between subject and background, and using intentional camera placement, you can bring a cinematic element to sit-down interviews! With documentaries becoming more and more popular and the increase of original content from Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, being able to create beautiful interview shots could be what gets you your next job. Today, director of photography William Hellmuth teaches us two different elements to create cinematic interview lighting setups that will help you tell your next story.

In this video, William teaches us two methods for better understanding how to bring your interviews to the next level. The first method for more cinematic interviews is looking at what light already exists in the space. By exposing for already-existing light sources, you can create more cinematic depth in an image; while still making the subject the focal point of the shot! The second method William shows us is how to create soft, pleasing light from above with our new Aputure Lantern mount. By flagging the spill from the light off of the background, one can create separation between the subject and their surroundings.

The main techniques that we will be discussing today are working with existing lighting, creating separation, and framing. Existing lighting is any light that is already present at your location when you get there. This can be sunlight coming through a window, light from a storefront, or a floor lamp. Using this light to help you shape your setup can not only make your job easier but can help create a more three-dimensional space for your subject that makes them feel more comfortable in the shot. Separation in your interview comes from a difference in contrast or texture between the foreground and the background. One common method is to make the subject in the foreground brighter than the background. Another common method is to add a backlight behind your subject to create an outline around them that makes them stand out against the background. Framing is anything that has to do with where you choose to place your camera and which lens you use. The common practice is to frame putting your subject on the right or left third and have them face in the direction of the open space in the frame. However, the latest Netflix documentaries frame subjects directly in the center of the frame and have them face straight into the camera. The way you frame your subjects can say a lot about the nature of the project.

Shooting a lot of sit-down interviews is a common way to get started as a filmmaker, so learning how to do them well is very important. Being intentional about how you light your subject as well as their environment will make your work unique and add an extra layer of meaning to your story. Everyone’s story is different, so try to reflect that in the way that you light each subject. Embrace the lighting that exists in the space and use it to create cinematic depth that will draw in your audience. Ultimately, the choice is yours and depends on the story you want to tell.


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