Video Framing
This section will cover two video framing topics - interviewing and b-roll.
The basic interview shot
The reporter should face the subject. The photographer should shoot directly over the reporter’s shoulder. Keep the eyes of the subject slightly above the center of the picture. Allow “look†space (keep the frame a bit more open on the side the subject is looking toward). No profiles—show both eyes. Leave enough room under the subject’s chin to insert an identifying title (known as a Chyron). The top of the subject’s head should not quite touch the top of the frame.
The interview two-shot (to be shot after the interview)
Shoot this from approximately the same position from which you shot the interview. Just shoot a wider shot. If zooming out doesn’t give you the framing you want, you may need to back up a few steps. Notice that the two-shot is shot on the same side of the 180 degree axis, also known as the line of action. If you started shooting over the reporter’s rightt shoulder, stay behind the reporter’s right shoulder for the two-shot.
Reverse two-shot (to be shot after the interview)
Step behind the subject and shoot the reporter. Again, you might shoot a couple of these shots at various widths, and slightly differnet angles, but be careful not to cross the line of action. If you shot the interview over the reporter’s left shoulder, shoot the reverse shots over the subject’s right shoulder. This keeps both the reporter and the interviewee looking in the same direction, at each other, throughout the interview.
Reverse shot (to be shot after the interview)
Stay behind the subject and shoot a tight shot of the reporter’s face. Rember to leave “look†space.
When you edit the four shots together for an extended interview piece, this is an example of how you might put the four video framing shots together.