Another helpful post; very well explained w/ super clear helpful visuals to see not only the difference but also what you’re describing. Well done. And yes… closer is almost always better on production shoots; closer lighting, closer audio, closer camera-EVERYTHING in film production is so much closer than realistically imagined in real life. So the question is-especially w/ documentary productions and untrained talent, how much does a far more massive light box up that close impact your talent’s level of being so uncomfortable that you need to approach the interview a little (or a lot) differently to get them to where you can actually record usable footage?
Thanks so much. Yes, you're absolutely right. Great question: A huge part of that is going to be your interaction and demeanor throughout the entire process. Are you someone they personally feel comfortable being around. As much as possible, I try to have the documentary interview not be my first interaction with the talent. On my one day doc projects, I've always been able to physically meet my talent at least once before the shoot, introduce myself, get to know them a little and have them get to know me. I keep cameras and equipment away and just make it personal. I will say that everyone sees the big light and thinks/says, "Wow! This is professional." This can be a good thing. It actually communicates to the talent that you are a professional and you know what you are doing. You are going to make them look and sound good. This may be new to them, but not to you so they can trust themselves to you in this process. If all you had was a DSLR, they will feel much more on edge because they now have to make it look good by who they are. Finally, the style of the documentary can play a part. If you need the talent to look into the camera and talk and they are surrounded by equipment, yes, you may have more unnatural or uncomfortable look/sound with inexperienced talent. If they are looking off camera at you the whole interview and you are engaging and expressive throughout the process, they will feel more at ease and like they are having a conversation with a real person. They will slowly pay less attention to the giant light looming in their peripheral.
So glad. What are you thinking about investing in? I have some more lighting videos coming soon based off of my experience with the 60x and 300c. If you're purchasing really soon, I could give you my 2 cents now; otherwise, I can just release videos as I get them edited.
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Another helpful post; very well explained w/ super clear helpful visuals to see not only the difference but also what you’re describing. Well done. And yes… closer is almost always better on production shoots; closer lighting, closer audio, closer camera-EVERYTHING in film production is so much closer than realistically imagined in real life. So the question is-especially w/ documentary productions and untrained talent, how much does a far more massive light box up that close impact your talent’s level of being so uncomfortable that you need to approach the interview a little (or a lot) differently to get them to where you can actually record usable footage?
Thanks so much. Yes, you're absolutely right.
Great question: A huge part of that is going to be your interaction and demeanor throughout the entire process. Are you someone they personally feel comfortable being around. As much as possible, I try to have the documentary interview not be my first interaction with the talent. On my one day doc projects, I've always been able to physically meet my talent at least once before the shoot, introduce myself, get to know them a little and have them get to know me. I keep cameras and equipment away and just make it personal.
I will say that everyone sees the big light and thinks/says, "Wow! This is professional." This can be a good thing. It actually communicates to the talent that you are a professional and you know what you are doing. You are going to make them look and sound good. This may be new to them, but not to you so they can trust themselves to you in this process. If all you had was a DSLR, they will feel much more on edge because they now have to make it look good by who they are.
Finally, the style of the documentary can play a part. If you need the talent to look into the camera and talk and they are surrounded by equipment, yes, you may have more unnatural or uncomfortable look/sound with inexperienced talent. If they are looking off camera at you the whole interview and you are engaging and expressive throughout the process, they will feel more at ease and like they are having a conversation with a real person. They will slowly pay less attention to the giant light looming in their peripheral.
This helps a lot. I am looking to buy a lighting setup.
So glad. What are you thinking about investing in? I have some more lighting videos coming soon based off of my experience with the 60x and 300c. If you're purchasing really soon, I could give you my 2 cents now; otherwise, I can just release videos as I get them edited.