Do you find yourself stuck at home by yourself during quarantine, but still wanting to shoot high-quality content for your YouTube channel or clients? In this step-by-step video, learn how to do a two-camera interview style shoot without the help of any assistants or other people.
When it comes to shooting an interview, the majority of the time, the go-to setup is two camera angles to cut between. But typically, you'll need to bring in someone to help run audio or watch the second camera angle. But, now that most of the world is stuck in their homes, that is not possible. In this tutorial from inspiring filmmaker and YouTube creator Brandon Li, he walks us through how he sets up his gear to film a dynamic interview-style video.
Li starts by positioning the cameras, which he explains should be the same or similar to ensure a more seamless cut between the two angles. An additional note is that when you shoot any two angles, the second shot should be from at least 30 degrees different, so when placed together, it doesn't seem to be a jump cut. Next, he talks about the best place to position the camera. To monitor his two angles, he hooks up a large 7-inch monitor to his main camera, and then on the b camera, he places a wireless monitor that connects to his iPhone.
Once the cameras are set up, he moves on to the lighting. In this case, using available natural window light, he starts with the background and then moves to the lighting on the face. The last consideration Li makes is in regards to sound, which is arguably the most important. He plugs in a lavalier mic to an iPhone and runs it through Tentacle Sync to edit it later. This is a much more viable option than setting up a shotgun mic, because by using a lavaliere, it gives him maximum mobility and allows him to move freely around the shot. One thing to keep in mind whenever running a two-camera setup is to clap at the beginning of your clip; this way, you can sync up the angles later in video editing.
I will definitely be trying this technique the next time I make a video at home! Did you find this video helpful? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Two-camera shoots are stupid imo. But Brandon Li videos are awesome. Check out The Passion of Andalucía on his channel.
In your opinion why are they stupid?
Because imo it is a gimmick. It is not off-camera interview style. There was no interviewer introduced or implied. It is not direct to camera newsreel style with B-roll. It is jarring to me. More often than not the angle chosen on the second camera is too too similar to the main camera and adds no interest. It reminds me of the gimmick used in the 70's where the camera panned wildly in the x-y plane. That gimmick imo made it appear the cameraperson was drunk. If the DPs weren't drunk, then the producer who allowed it probably was, imo.
Don't get me started on spokesperson hand positioning.