TYPICAL INTERVIEW SETUP SHOOTING BETTER VIDEO
The 180° Rule
If you’re shooting a scene with two subjects, imagine there is a line connecting them. That line is called the “axis of action.” Don’t shoot on both sides of the axis. Keep all your shots on the same side.
We’ll begin with a wide shot which helps the viewer under- stand where this interview is tak- ing place. Wide shots are often used to establish location and are sometimes referred to as “estab- lishing shots.”
Next, we’ll get closer and show the interviewer (on the left) and the subject (on the right) togeth- er at the table. In our example, this would be a good shot for the
interviewer to deliver her first question.
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Third, we’ll get a
In our example, the axis of action is between the inter- viewer and the subject.
ßAXIS OF ACTION à
Notice that in every shot, re- gardless of framing or angle, the interviewer is always on the left and the subject is al-
The bulk of action for our inter- view will take place in the close- up as the subject4answers the interviewer’s questions.
You may wish to cut out sections of the subject’s response that aren’t relevant or are filled with “ums” and “ahs.” If you edit together two
A cutaway is any shot used to cover jump cut edits in primary shots or add a new dimension to a video story. In our example, we could show the subject’s hands or the interviewer listening to keep the video flowing smoothly.
ways on the right. If we took a shot or two from the other side of the table and edited it together, the interviewer would be on the right and the subject on the left in those shots, and the viewer would be very confused.
The 30° Rule
Every time you change shots in a sequence, it’s best to change your shooting angle by at least 30°. Notice in our example, each shot is not only framed differently, but also shot at a different angle. Changing your shooting angle helps eliminate jump cuts.
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