Pre-Production: Test Shoot Interviews

 Following up from my previous research on. the interviews from 'Reported Missing' and having tested the style of their shots I've come to the conclusion their non-conventional technique doest work. The way the key lighting is positioned and no fill lighting makes it seem amateurish regardless.



My favourite shot overall was the one with back light revealing the edges which brought a bit of depth and eliminated the subject. His identity was still disclosed. In order to improve further, I colour corrected the image by bringing down the blacks and adding more shadow. I also brought the contrast down which kept a really nice feel. 









This test shoot was a success overall not only form the shots that were well done but also what we didn't like. For example, I thought that having a backlight on the wall and having the interviewee completely blacked out would look good, but as it turns out it looked a bit flat compared to the shot where there is a highlight of light around the back of his head. It gave it more depth and felt a lot more real. Although you could still identify him slightly, once the contrast was brought up in post production, it completely eliminated any factual features. This was really useful and demonstrated the importance of a test shoot: "Rather than rambling around with a camera hoping to get a good photo, set out a clear learning objectives that requires you to push your technical or creative boundaries." (Choucino, 2018).


The shot I disliked the most was the normal blur. With more work I could definitely blur hi out more, but I just don't like the aesthetic; it doesn't fit the brand or style of our documentary as much as blacking the interviewee out altogether.



Shadow Side for second camera

Setting Up Lighting for an Interview:
Something this test shoot has taught me is how to properly setup and Fram for an interview. This effectively boils down to preparation.

Something that's really important to understand is the concept behind lighting. There are two basic fundamental elements to this and that's key lighting and back lighting. 
Backlight allors this definition around the interview subject to separate them from the background. 

Sound Settings:

Boom-The average (RMS) should peak between -18 and -12

Clip Mic- Transmitter sensitivity good at -30DB and the on the receiver 0DB

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Frame Rate- 24 FPS
 Rhino Slider? More cinematic on a continuous loop


Make subject look and speak to a real person as its more organic. Remember Rule Of Thirds!!
Listen to the person- If looking down at notes or the next question the interviewee will be more uncomfortable and it will stop feeling like a relaxed conversation and more like an interview which is bad. 


References:

Scott , 2018: 'The Importance of Test Shoots'. (https://fstoppers.com/bts/importance-test-shoots-250792)


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