Cinematic Lighting 101 | On-Location Interviews
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
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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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The documentary series "Explained" has stunning interviews. Not only because these scenes are super well lit, but also the lighting matches the compositions amazingly. The marriage between lighting and composition is something that should always be kept in mind.
Not sure if this is technically a documentary, but the Masterclass interviews look sooo buttery and cinematic.
That's what I searched, how to light like they do for their interviews, and landed on this!
That was the breadcrumb that got me here.
In Free Solo, there were many interview scenes taking place in Alex's (the climber) van. It's a tight space where he eats, sleeps, and trains in, which helps build his character. And they make great use of different tones of natural light coming through the windshield indicate the passing of time and the growing tension leading up to his climb.
I love watching Chef's Table. I think that's the first time I saw a cinematic documentary. I love how they tell the story and the shots of the food are just breathtaking. It's inspired me to want to make everything I do cinematic, it shows me that something as "mundane" as an interview or a shot of a bowl of noodles can be art.
One really great recent example are some of the interview setups in Three Identical Strangers. Simplicity at its finest. The mood, texture and framing were perfect for that doc.
Just watched ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads.
It gave me a feel that they really knew how to work their lights.
With depth, whole lotta contrast, playing with different colors on the background as well. They sure took care of preparing thoroughly the different location for the interviews.
I was floored by Netflix's documentary about the FYRE festival. Very classically cinematic...and GREAT lens choices!
My go to for interview lighting is Errol Morris' "Fast, Cheap and out of Conrol". Soft, wrapping light. Large source which I love. Natural roll-off contrast and brilliant use of the Interrotron. All of this is juxtaposed with the less formal cinematic style of the B-Roll, which utilizes black & white, dutch angles, scrubby video footage and so much more!
Wild wild country . The interviews definitely popped to me. Some great lighting choices happening there (not to mention insane doc). And I loved your fyre fest and Jim carry refs. Thanks for sharing
All of the doco interviews from the series MARS are amazing - all shot close up on a really wide lens with nice lighting and huge, deep soft backgrounds.
I'm in love with the cinematic interviews in Chefs Table. They are all about the perfect balance of location, light and emotion. It's near impossible to find a single interview in that show that I'm not in love with, and want to analyse to improve my own interviews.
The first season episode one of Wild Wild Country has one of my fav interview set ups, from lighting the set, composition, color temp. I still use that episode for reference before I write my videos. Wayyy to nice!
I *LOVED* Free Solo. It's a must watch, and the cinematography is outstanding.
These behind the scenes of how to do lighting are very nice. Not only are they very good, but its showing that most of the time your using more or less the same equipment. When I first seen this, I was intimidated cause it looked like you needed 20 different lights and wrote it off. I'm glad its growing on me. :)
I just watched the documentary short Nzingha. The lighting complements the natural sources so well! Incredibly dynamic and cinematic implementation.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
The Defiant Ones - an HBO mini docuseries of stories of Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine. Love the way each person was lit in each interview. They had tons of artists sit down and tell stories.
Please more of these lighting for interviews :) its always great to get inspired from you guys.
Needed this! Would like to see more on cinematic natural lighting for daylight, maybe against a window like the shot at 0:49
Hotel Cecil on Netflix has amazing interview setups, they are very contrasty and work well with the narrative. There was little to no reflection on their skin which looked very professional. My only think wrong with it was the white balance or at least the colour of the light hitting the interviewee's faces, it made some of them a bit red in the face but arguably it felt right for creating a dingy and mysterious atmosphere!
I tend to emulate a window for motivated lighting using tube lights and shower curtains as diffusion with a daylight key. I also tend to use incandescent practicals for colour contrast in the background.
Leaving Neverland! Some of the best interview lighting I’ve seen
For Netflix, Wild Wild Country!
In general, The Imposter is my favorite doc for cinematic interview lighting.
The documentary I like how they use great cinematic lighting was Leaving Neverland and I liked how they use existing lightings plus a combination of two different temperatures. I think that help the viewers connect with the two main characters of the story.
The lighting for the Fyre Documentary on Netflix is Nice. It was very cinematic!!!
Great video. I loved the lighting in Wild Wild Country!
Loved this episode..... I’m a fan of the lighting setup in No Country for Old Men
"Dealt" documentary's interview lighting is top notch!
Epic! Keep this series going... love it
Any of the Chef's Table interviews are sooo well done
Won't you be my neighbor had some of the best cinematic lighting for a documentary I've ever seen. It was snubbed at the Oscars, and deserves more recognition
I recently watched a short documentary from The Atlantic about the Pearson Twins. It was called “Identical Twins Who Look Nothing Alike” - it was interesting itself, but I did find it intriguing how they were able to honestly make Mr Adam Pearson as flattering as they were able to in many different locations. It was a pretty neat video and also a bit heartbreaking.
I LOVE these. Keep rolling!
Wormwood has amazing cinematography on both interviews and recreated scenes!
Errol Morris is the GOAT.
I recently watched The Dawn Wall on Netflix. Great documetary with breathtaking footage! They needed to be really flexible with the camera, so I think it was pretty hard to get good lighting for interviews, but in my opinon they made a great job using natural light.
This was really, really awesome...great stuff.
The interviews in the netflix doc "The legend of Cocaine Island" were very cinematic. The lighting really conveyd a very moody feel and added to the story. Actually the whole doc looks very nice regarding lighting.
I loved the lighting on "Trespassing".
I gotta win that light " Leaving Neverland" has some pretty good lighting with their interviews. I loved this tutorial, thx guys; I'll also follow you on the other platforms.
To be honest I haven't really watched any documentaries lately in Netflix, but I'm super into Banger TV's interviews to Metal musicians. That is something I'm really working hard to achive in my country: create mature and serious content related to Metal and Rock bands.
whoa, actual experts on youtube! Gotta study a bit to take this all in.
Street Food on Netflix was great. Even the interviews looks delicious.
The Fyre Festival documentary’s cinematic lighting was pretty well done.
Masterclass interviews is the best!
Melhores dicas, SEMPRE!
I liked the outdoor interviews used in Free Solo!
OMG the video is gold!
Wow! I didn't know that Aputure was making tutorials. Thumbs up!
the casting of jonbenet had some of the nicest middle of the frame interview lighting I’ve ever seen
Great tips here. Really like the b cam compositions
Wild wild country !!!! Danm how they have mixed old footages and interviews
I love the interviews in The Defiant Ones and in The 13th
I thought Nobody Speak was done beautifully. The interview lighting drew you into the subject and kept you interested in what they were discussing. Maybe not the most creative, but i think used for the purpose of the story.
i loved the netflix documentary Hellier, the interview shots looked so real/natural but so creepy!
Great video. Love the channel
Amazing light setup..I've always wanted to know who lights the Masterclass interview ads that I keep on watching online, now I know 👍
My fav documentary nowdays is the Dan Brown interviews from Masterclass
The imposter has my favorite interview lighting as of recently.
I think the lighting in the FYRE documentary is beautiful and cinematic!
webling3 yes!
Im a sucker for chefs table, but the most recent one ive seen, a few days ago to be precise was hand cut, by Griffin Hammond.
Yeaah, bring over them lights! Hehehe
Cartel land had some crazy awesome cinematic interviews
Hi my name is Erick Villaran... I really like the interview setups from the Netflix Canadian reality show "Highway Thru Hell", specially when they sit in front of the lit rescue trucks to narrate their versions of the wrecks they rescued. Thanks!
I LOVE these cinematic 101 videos! One question, what would you recommend when the lighting source comes from fluorescent lights, like in an office space?
Does Lt Joe Kenda's interviews count? I just love how the light his talking head scenes.
Loved the interviews in the pool hall and bar in The Legend of Cocaine Island.
Aputure + Cooke Optics = best cinematography channels, thnx!
Faces/Places, killer lighting
I'm watching this in 2021 😬😬😬!!
But my most recent documentary with amazing cinematic lighting for me was Britney vs Spears!!
Thanks for the tips.
Much love from Nairobi, Kenya
I thought the lighting in The Legend of Cocaine Island was really great. Varied and interesting, they did a great job of communicating the contributor's personality. The reconstructions using the actual protagonist gave it a very humorous feel. What impressed me most was the use of a moving camera in one of the interviews (not sure if it was on a dolly). It takes a very good eye/ear to direct a move like that on the fly, and a good editor to recognise that the move-in works with the moment in the story, and not try to cover it up.
Love the lighting in "The Legend of Cocaine Island" on Netflix, so cinematic and so clean!
Maluma RUclips Original has one of the most appealing setups Ive seen for a documentary.
I really liked the lighting in Omega: A Name Born in 1894 (told by Eddie Redmayne)
Great! Thanks!
The Fear of 13 had some amazing cinematic lighting interview set ups
the boyband con I found interesting with the framing
I haven't watched a documentary in a while but I did just watch The Creative Brain on Netflix and some of those interviews had some interesting lighting.
Strong Island was very well shot
great job guys great chatting at NAB too
The Defient Ones was the first documentary that actually blew me away with their cinematics. Even with the interviews
The new reboot of "Unsolved Mysteries" on Netflix does an amazing job of using existing light. The subject blends so well with the environment, and the exposure on everything is so even, that it looks as if there is no studio lighting at all. "The Last Dance" is another great example of this. I am shooting a documentary, and I am looking for a video that explains how they accomplish this! Can you guys so a video on that?
glad I found your page!
I like the lighting on the latest Netflix F1 documentary (Drive to Survive). Almost every time a classic very simple one light setup with lots of shadows on the other side of the face. But what was interesting for me, that sometimes on a B cam they intentionally left the light in the frame as an element of the shot. First time seeing something like that. If it wasn't a Netflix production it would definitely look like a production mistake ;-).
A recent documentary I watched that had GREAT and diverse on-location lighting was Netflix’s The Creative Brain -and, is a fascinating collection of insights mixing neuroscience & creativity! Definitely check it out!!
David Yarrow’s interview on YouPic. It’s black n white but the lighting is amazing.
Leaving never land doco looked nice
Bit late but some of the location interviews on Finding Big Country are perfect.
I just watched "The Seven Five" on Netflix. They used a very interesting camera overhead shot with harsh light as the criminal spoke about action sequences of the story. It really did give an animated feel to the events he was talking about. The other interviews were almost disturbing as they interviewed violent drug lords with soft light and soft shadows.
The 4 part series on Punk rock produced by Iggy Pop. Great interviews.
Spitfire documentary has amazing naturalistic interview lighting.
Wild w country evry day of the week
This wasn’t really what you’d expect “on location”. But interesting. Personally I’d like to see more indie filmmakers rather than big DPs. Most of us watching this don’t have half the resources those guys have. Keep the good work. Love your channel
The disappereance of madeleine Mccane had some awesome cinematic interviews!
MasterClass's Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking, if you look at the trailer, at 0:37 is an incredibly beautifully lit shot. A lot of other interviews from MasterClass felt very standard, and this one felt like Scorsese had a lot of influence on the lighting set up.
I loved the recent documentary from MKBHD about the original Gameboy
It would be very helpful if we would know the lighting contrast between all the lights. Thanks
Hands down, "James Dean - The First American Teenager" for the best on-location interviews. This documentary showcases some of the best interviews/lighting, plus the iconic footage of the one and only James Dean, plus a lot of stuff I never knew about him (Which is rare bc I read a Lot about him). But if I win the contest, I would make a video review on RUclips for the prize and call it, "Aperture AL-MW - My First American Lighting" xD (Since all the lights I bought, from overseas, busted in the back of my car yesterday otw to set-up for a photoshoot that my client later canceled anyways... lol)
Hard to pick a favourite here. But one I saw recently with amazing cinematography and lighting is fight world on Netflix
Is there any reason you didn't just ND the practical or add dimmer/lower wattage bulb versus the lens and compensating with even more luminance?
Interesting.✌️
Id have ti say finding Neverland was really beautiful lighting
What focal length did you use with the arcade video? 21/24 ish? Love to know.