354 Video Digital Communication & Production
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Lighting Assignments
In addition to the general lighting
situations covered so far, there are a few specific fi
assignments that come up frequently enough
to deserve special attention. These include
interviews, “stand-up” reports, compositing,
very small areas, and graphic materials.
Interviews
Interviews are among the most common
lighting assignments. Typically, they involve two
subjects and a moderate amount of background.
One-Person Interviews
The current style of video interview has
the subject on-screen all the time and the
interviewer is never seen. The interviewer’s
questions are posed as topics to be responded to,
so that the questions can be omitted in editing.
In the finished interview, the subject appears to fi
be discussing the subject spontaneously.
Softlights are frequently used because
they look natural, they generally light the
background as well as the subject, and they are
quick and easy to use.
Since interview subjects are rarely media
professionals, lighting should be moderate and
be kept out of their eyes. Because interviews
rarely use angles wider than medium (waist)
shots, a refl can be used opposite the soft flector
key for fill, fi Figure 16-37. Even with “natural”
lighting, a small spot rigged as a rim light can
add modeling and separate the subject from the
background.
Two-Person Interviews
If your interviewer will appear on screen,
you must light him or her as well, Figure 16-38.
In establishing shots, the back view of the
narrator in the foreground can often be lit by
the lights on the interview subject. The same
lights provide rim light to separate the subject
and interviewer from the background.
Workbook activity 17-2 provides practice in lighting
all the customary interview setups.
For single shots of the interviewer asking
questions or listening to answers, you have
two different options: light for real-time
recording or re-light for a re-shoot. To light the
interviewer separately for real-time recording
with a second camera, position the reporter’s
camera to shoot over the interviewee’s
shoulder, so that both people are included in
wider shots. Place the lights for both people so
that they are outside the frame in both setups.
If you are using only one camera or if some
of the reporter’s questions and reactions need
Lighting setup
Figure 16-37. Lighting a one-person interview.
Closeup of the subject
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