Videos

Your A footage is the main footage used to interview your subject, and it forms the basis of your editing. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention to your framing, lighting, and location. When filming your interview, consider using a wide-angle shot and a narrow-angle shot to simulate the presence of two cameras. This will allow you to capture different perspectives that you can later use to enhance the visual appeal of your documentary.

When choosing your location, ensure that it’s not too noisy or has too many disruptive elements that can interfere with your recording. You can also use your grid of thirds to frame your subject in a visually appealing way.

If you’re filming outdoors, try to schedule your interview two to three hours after sunrise or three to four hours before sunset. This is the golden hour when the lighting is soft and warm. Avoid filming when the sun is directly overhead as it can create harsh shadows and make it difficult to control your exposure.

Lastly, use the autofocus feature of your Fujifilm camera. The Fujifilm X-H2S camera allows you to configure it on eye detection, which will ensure that your subject is always in focus.

The audio recording is arguably the most critical aspect of your documentary production. Without clear, high-quality audio, your documentary will not be successful. Therefore, invest in a quality lavalier microphone or shotgun mic that will capture your subject’s voice clearly without any background noise or interference.

If your Fujifilm camera allows it, consider using an XLR type audio module to use professional equipment. The Tascam XLR audio module is specifically designed for Fujifilm and communicates through the flash shoe. Use headphones to monitor your recording and ensure that external noise reduction is enabled to avoid any distractions.

Your B footage is the illustration footage used to complement your subject’s words. To ensure that your B footage is relevant, consider recording it after the interview. This way, you can concentrate on capturing footage that relates to your subject’s speech.

When filming B footage, use classic framing techniques that can be applied to any project. For instance, the rule of thirds or the leading lines technique can be used to create visually appealing footage.

Before conducting your interview, prepare your questions carefully. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you cover all the essential points. Start with general questions and then move on to more specific ones.

When conducting your interview, remember to be patient and listen actively. Give your subject enough time to respond and avoid interrupting them. By doing so, you’ll be able to capture authentic and meaningful responses that will make your documentary more impactful.