Understanding Video Interview Equipment
Having the right equipment plays an integral part in your ability to produce professional video interviews, whether in-person, on-location, or remotely via video conferencing. The equipment you choose has a direct impact on your video interview recording’s overall production value, affecting the final product’s visual fidelity and audio clarity. This, in turn, affects how compelling your interview will appear, as well as its ability to engage and captivate your audience. By outfitting yourself properly with the appropriate equipment, such as the right camera, video recorder, voice recorder, lighting, and other accessories, not only will you greatly elevate your production value, but it will also project a sense of professionalism and help create a lasting positive impression on your subjects, all while creating compelling video interviews time and again. Let’s explore the essential equipment that you will need to conduct exceptional video interviews.
Table of Contents
- Cameras and Video Recorders
- Audio Recorders
- Lighting Equipment
- Backdrops and Green Screens
- Interview Equipment Accessories
- Tips for Conducting Successful Video Interviews
- FAQ About Recording Video Interviews
Cameras and Video Recorders
Cameras and video recorders are two critical pieces of gear that you will want to invest in if you are looking to record professional video interviews. You can certainly make do with the trusty DSLR that you’ve kept in your closet since your high school years if you’re just getting started. However, you will eventually want to upgrade to a higher-quality mirrorless camera with excellent low-light performance and more advanced video interview recording features. Besides mirrorless cameras, professional camcorders and cinema cameras are viable options as well. Be sure to take the camera’s sensor size, resolution, and recording frame rates into consideration when choosing your camera to ensure that it aligns with your production needs.
You will also want to invest in an external recording monitor to complement your camera. A recording monitor serves as both a high-resolution external display and an external video recorder for your camera. The larger external display (compared to those typically integrated into the back of a camera) gives you a clearer view of your frame, allowing you to more accurately focus and compose your shots. The external video recorder functionality will enable you to record the video feed from your camera without any time limits, often in higher bit-depth than what’s possible internally in your camera, and encode the video files into a variety of industry-standard codecs. When shopping for a recording monitor, look for models that include assistive features such as focus peaking, zebras, waveform, and vectorscope. These features provide additional data about your video feed and allow you to make precise adjustments.
Camera and Video Recorder Recommendations:
Sony Alpha a7 IV Mirrorless Camera
Key Features:
- High-resolution 33MP full-frame sensor for outstanding speed and superior image quality
- S-Cinetone support for natural mid-tones, soft colors, and gorgeous highlights
- 15-Stop Dynamic Range
- Up to 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 with full pixel readout in all recording formats
- 7K oversampling full-frame 4K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 with no pixel binning
- Real-time Eye-AF for humans, animals, and birds for photo and movie
Atomos Ninja Ultra 5.2″ HDR Monitor-Recorder
Key Features:
- High-resolution 5.2″ HDR touchscreen monitor-recorder for precise, detailed footage
- Durable, lightweight aluminum body for effortless portability and on-the-go filming
- Versatile compatibility with DSLR, mirrorless, and cinematic cameras for seamless integration
- Innovative AtomOS 11 operating system for intuitive navigation and enhanced user experience
- Wi-Fi 6E & Atomos Connect enabled for efficient cloud workflows & remote monitoring capabilities
Audio Recorders
Now that you’ve got the video side of things sorted let’s shift focus to the audio side. Adding a dedicated audio recorder or audio interface to your video interview setup gives you an extra layer of control over the audio quality of your video interviews. You’ll want to look for audio recorders or interfaces with adjustable gain settings, support for multiple microphone and audio inputs, headphone output for audio monitoring, as well as built-in safeguards against audio clipping. If you plan on using XLR microphones, note that some require phantom power to function properly. Be sure to check if your microphones have this requirement and look for an audio recorder or interface that provides phantom power if necessary. Remember to also choose an audio recorder or interface that has enough inputs to support the amount of microphones you plan on using in your interviews.
Audio Recorder Recommendations:
Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Handy Recorder
Key Features:
- 4-track, 32-bit float handy recorder for high-quality audio capture
- Advanced X/Y microphones and dual XLR/TRS inputs for versatile recording
- Designed with accessibility features for blind and visually impaired users
- Built-in mixer and waveform display for real-time audio monitoring and adjustments
- Supports high-capacity SDXC cards up to 1TB for extensive recording storage
- Connects to PC, Mac, iOS, or Android devices for streaming and audio interface functionality
Lighting Equipment
Having the appropriate lighting setup for your video interview can make a world of difference in its visual quality. Without going way too in-depth down a lighting rabbit hole, most video interviews tend to employ the industry-standard three-point lighting setup consisting of a key light, a fill light, and a backlight:
- The key light is your primary light source and is typically the brightest and closest to your subjects;
- The fill light is usually placed on the opposite side of your key light and fills in the shadow areas on your subjects;
- The backlight (sometimes called a hair light) helps add depth and dimension to your video interview by separating your subjects from the background.
You can also add light modifiers such as diffusers, softboxes, barn doors, reflectors, etc. to create more flattering lighting on your video interview subjects. LED panels are ideally suited for lighting video interviews thanks to their portability and power output.
Lighting Recommendation:
Godox Litemons LP1200R 120W RGB LED 3-Light Panel Kit
Key Features:
- Wide CCT range freely adjustable from 1800K to 10000K
- Two ways of power supply: DC power source and supports V-mount battery
- Two ways of control: Bluetooth app and light body
- Detachable barn door provides more flexible lighting options
- HSI mode is equipped with 36000 colors and 360 Degree color gamut
- GEL mode has various popular color filters for choice
Backdrops and Green Screens
Depending on where you are recording your video interview, the background may not always be ideal. Unless you are recording your video interview in a studio environment or in a space that is already decorated, you may need to rely on a backdrop or a green screen to create an aesthetically pleasing background. Consider investing in portable backdrop or green screen systems that are compact and can be easily set up or broken down. This will drastically reduce your setup and break down time when you are shooting video interviews on location.
Backdrop and Green Screen Recommendations:
Westcott 8×13′ X-Drop Pro Wrinkle-Resistant Backdrop Kit, Chroma-Key Green Sweep
Key Features:
- Wrinkle-resistant, 100% polyester backdrop, perfect for professional photography and videography
- Chroma-Key Green Screen Sweep, designed for easy post-production editing
- Durable and portable X-Drop Pro Backdrop Stand, adjustable for various backdrop sizes
- Easy setup with five built-in grommets and a pole pocket for taut, wrinkle-free mounting
- Versatile usage, ideal for on-location shoots, studios, video interviews, & small group portraits
- Includes matching color fabric drawstring bag for easy identification and transport
Westcott 8×8′ X-Drop Pro Fabric Backdrop, Harley by Joel Grimes
Key Features:
- Durable polyester 8×8′ fabric backdrop with Harley design by Joel Grimes
- Wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable for professional, low-maintenance photography
- Versatile for portraits, headshots, product shots, and video backgrounds
- Easy to alter appearance with lighting changes for multiple creative looks
- Includes five metal grommets for quick setup with X-Drop Pro Stand (sold separately)
- Stylish and high-contrast color printing for captivating images
Interview Equipment Accessories
In addition to the abovementioned video interview equipment, here are some additional equipment and accessories (such as tripods, microphones, and memory cards) that you will want to consider investing in to round out your video interview kit.
Interview Equipment Accessories Recommendations:
SmallRig AD-120 Heavy-Duty 3-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod with Video Head
Key Features:
- Detachable telescopic handle that can be attached to either side, catering to any grip preference
Shure SM58 Special Black Edition Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Wired Microphone
Key Features:
- Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
- Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which rotates 180 degrees
- Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability
Shure C50J 50′ Hi-Flex Microphone Cable
Key Features:
- Professional 50′ Hi-Flex Microphone Cable for superior audio quality
- Durable chrome XLR connectors ensure secure and reliable connections
- Flexible design ideal for complex setups in studios and live stages
- Low-impedance operation perfect for maintaining signal integrity
- Shure brand reliability for long-lasting, high-quality performance
- Versatile cable length for optimal microphone and equipment placement
Sony SF-G Series Tough 256GB UHS-II SDXC Memory Card
Key Features:
- High-capacity 256GB UHS-II SDXC memory card, ideal for high-resolution photography and videography
- Tough and durable construction, 18 times more bend-resistant than standard SD cards
- Ultra-fast write speeds up to 299 MB/s and read speeds up to 300 MB/s for quick data transfer
Tips for Conducting Successful Video Interviews
Set Up and Test Your Equipment in Advance:
To ensure that your video interview goes smoothly, arrive early and get your equipment set up and ready to go. Make sure that your camera is mounted onto a tripod to eliminate any unwanted camera shake that could compromise the quality of your footage. Set up your lighting and frame up your shots before your guest(s) arrive. To avoid any hiccups during the interview, be sure to thoroughly test your video and audio recorders before you begin recording to iron out any potential issues. Remember that your subject(s) are your guest(s) and that their time is valuable, so the last thing you’ll want is to keep them waiting while you’re troubleshooting your equipment.
Do your homework:
To conduct a successful interview, it’s crucial to thoroughly research your subject(s) beforehand. Prepare a list of questions in advance to ensure you cover all of the important topics. Keep your questions open-ended to allow your subject(s) to elaborate. Start the interview with a concise introduction of your subject(s) and provide an overview of the topics that will be discussed during the interview. This introduction will help you stay on track and help the audience understand who you are interviewing as well as the significance of the interview itself. Remember to be an active listener throughout the interview and pay attention to what your subject(s) is saying. When appropriate, ask follow-up questions to clarify or expand on their responses.
FAQ About Recording Video Interviews
How to reduce background noise in interview recordings?
The best way to reduce background noise is to place your microphone close to your subject. Choosing a microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern will also significantly reduce background noise.
What’s the ideal length for a video interview?
There is no easy answer to this question as it depends greatly on who you are interviewing and what platform the interview will appear on. A general tip is to ensure your subject is comfortable for the entire duration. This could include things like having them seated and having water available for them.
Should I use a teleprompter for video interviews?
No. An interview is a conversation, not a speech.
How do I create engaging intros and outros for interview videos?
The most engaging intros and outros get right to the point.
What’s the best camera angle for interviews?
Most interviews are shot straight on at eye level with the subject slightly off-center.
Feature image – Photo by Nemesia Production on Unsplash
