Might be stepping into the world of DSLR video - interviews

seriousrikk

seriousrikk

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Richard
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Afternoon folks.

I've just agreed to interview a couple of bands at the weekend for an online music publication. I'm normally a gig shooter but since I have a DSLR that is very capable of video then I figured I would have a pop at using it for the interview.

I'm going to be recording audio on my sony Z2 smartphone with external STM10 mic and if needs be I can get by with just audio (that is all they expect) however getting some reasonable video to go with it would be pretty awesome.

I will either be inside the music venue before soundcheck, or outside the venue. The 5D3 is pretty good at high ISO and I'll be using my 24-70mm lens. I plan on taking a travel tripod to pop everything on. Any hints/tips/advice very welcome - either on settings or anything extra that would be useful for me to have.

Cheers!
Rich
 
I did an interview once with a musician once, though in a much easier setting than backstage of a gig.
Not really got any advice that I can think of, but do you have some video lighting available?
 
Shoot some other footage as well so that you can make some cuts rather than just a straight shoot from the same position all the time. For example a closeup of other band members over which the audio can run before cutting back to the speaker. Whole group shot with just one speaking then the individual.
 
bass_junkie83 said:
I did an interview once with a musician once, though in a much easier setting than backstage of a gig.
Not really got any advice that I can think of, but do you have some video lighting available?
Click to expand...

Not at the moment. I did toy with the idea of getting one of those cheap LED panels to add a bit of fill light but not sure it would be that much use long term.

Fortunately the interview is in the venue but well before the gig starts :)

artyman said:
Shoot some other footage as well so that you can make some cuts rather than just a straight shoot from the same position all the time. For example a closeup of other band members over which the audio can run before cutting back to the speaker. Whole group shot with just one speaking then the individual.
Click to expand...

Cheers Ken. The main interview is the singer of the band and then I have another quick one with the whole support band. I'm limited on time though but will bear this in mind if I can.
 
Are you just shooting the rushes or are you supplying the publication with a the finished interview? What Ken says is good advice, give yourself or whoever's putting together the finished film some options.
 
I'm supplying the finished article, but this is low end stuff so there are zero expectations from the video. I don't even have to do it, I just want to :D

Audio has just become a bigger priority. The recent update to android OS has killed my 'better' mic options for the interview. Looking at using a digital voice recorder now and syncing up in post.
 
If you're going to use a separate record source make sure you do a sync point, just get somebody to clap on camera and its worth recording sound on both your audio recorder and your camera, it will make your life easier.

Expectations may be low but give yourself a break and shoot some covering shots, cutaways of hands , eyes, you know the sort of thing.
 
Presumably you mean the E variant of the UWP wireless system?

The normal UWP runs in the TV bands and you need to apply for a Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) licence from the Joint Frequency Management Group for for each location you intend to use it - they then tell you which frequency is clear in that location for the duration of your shoot.

If you're going wireless, be aware that Ofcom have just rejigged the frequency plan and there's a lot of second hand kit out there that it is now illegal to use.
 
Some useful info from Philip Bloom here even though about 5dii

 
4wd said:
Some useful info from Philip Bloom here even though about 5dii

Click to expand...

That is very useful. Even the simple bits such as using 1/50th I didn't really know!
Fortunately I now have a buddy who also knows the camera coming along to help out. Plus I'll have use of a Tascam DR-07 and a small LED panel. Thinks are looking up!
 
st599 said:
Presumably you mean the E variant of the UWP wireless system?

The normal UWP runs in the TV bands and you need to apply for a Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) licence from the Joint Frequency Management Group for for each location you intend to use it - they then tell you which frequency is clear in that location for the duration of your shoot.

If you're going wireless, be aware that Ofcom have just rejigged the frequency plan and there's a lot of second hand kit out there that it is now illegal to use.
Click to expand...
Sorry, USA... Our rules are a little different (but there are some versions of the UWP system that have special requirements here as well).

I've noticed recently a lot of older models on Ebay... I'll have to start looking out for bargains (for here).
 
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