Week 6 - Video Interviews
Learn the fundamentals of video interviews
Learn how to set up professional-looking video interviews using proper framing, lighting, audio, and mic placement.
What You’ll Learn This Week
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to film clean, professional videos of people speaking. This could be an interview, a business owner introducing their services, an employee sharing a story, or even yourself talking to camera for social media.
You’ll learn how to frame your subject, light them effectively, capture clear audio, and create a comfortable environment so people look and sound confident on camera.
By the end of this lesson, you will understand:
• How to frame someone who is speaking on camera
• Proper camera height and distance for talking videos
• Where subjects should look (into camera vs off-camera)
• How to choose clean, visually interesting backgrounds
• How to create subject separation using depth of field
• Lighting setups for people on camera
• How to use natural and practical light
• Audio techniques for clear speech recording
• Lens choices that flatter people on camera
• Tips for helping people feel comfortable while speaking
• How to add B-roll to support talking videos
This applies to:
✔ YouTube
✔ Instagram
✔ Business marketing
✔ Testimonials
✔ Interviews
✔ Brand videos
And more!
Lesson 6 Downloads
These are the digital versions of the handouts you’ll receive in class. Download and save these to your computer for easy reference.
If you misplace your printed handout, this is your backup copy.
🎥 Lesson 6 - Interview Video Examples
Lesson Example 1: Student Testimonial Video
Below is a testimonial video filmed and edited by students during class. This is a real example of how to film someone speaking on camera and support the video with B-roll.
As you watch, notice:
• How the subject is framed
• Where the light is coming from
• The separation from the background
• The clear audio
• How B-roll is used to make the video more engaging
This is the type of result you can achieve using the techniques from this lesson.
Lesson Example 2: Brand Story Talking-to-Camera Video
Below is a brand story video I filmed for Oaken Builders. This is an example of someone speaking directly to the camera to connect with their audience. Videos like this are often used for websites, social media, and business marketing.
As you watch, notice:
• How the subject is framed
• Where the light is coming from
• The separation from the background
• The clear audio
• How speaking directly to the lens creates a strong connection with the viewer
This is another type of result you can achieve using the techniques from this lesson.
Lesson Example 3: Looking Off-Camera Testimonial Video
Below is a testimonial video I filmed for HUB I.T. This is an example of someone speaking slightly off camera in a more natural, interview-style setup. This approach is often used for testimonials, brand stories, and documentary-style videos.
As you watch, notice:
• How the subject is framed
• Where the light is coming from
• The separation from the background
• The clear audio
• How looking slightly off camera creates a relaxed, conversational feel
• How B-roll is used to tie the story together
This is another type of result you can achieve using the techniques from this lesson.
Week 6 Assignment
This assignment focuses on filming a polished interview-style setup using the techniques from this week’s lesson. You may film another person or yourself, but the goal is to create a more refined, professional interview look than in previous weeks.
Your goals this week are to:
• Set up a seated interview-style shot with intentional composition
• Frame the subject slightly off-center using the rule of thirds
• Position the camera at proper eye level for a natural look
• Direct the subject’s eyeline (into camera or slightly off-camera - choose intentionally)
• Choose a clean background and create separation from it
• Light the subject using a key light at a 45° angle (optional hair or kicker light)
• Capture clear, well-leveled audio using a lav or shotgun mic
• Record two short takes of the same answer (practice directing performance)
• Film one short clip with the subject looking into camera
• Film one short clip with the subject looking slightly off camera
Your final submission should demonstrate control over framing, lighting, audio, and eyeline, and show a clear difference between the two speaking styles.
Next Lesson
When you're ready, continue on to the next lesson.