Exposure and white balance
Lock exposure when lighting is stable. Set white balance manually under mixed lights to avoid color shifts mid-clip.
Expose for skin tones on talking-head shots, slightly underexposed is recoverable. blown highlights on foreheads are not.
Use zebras or histograms if your camera offers them. Aim to keep bright areas just below clipping unless you deliberately want a high-key look.
Framing and stability
Use rule of thirds for interviews. Use a tripod or gimbal for motion. Leave headroom consistent across shots.
Match eyeline height across angles in multi-cam setups. A subject who appears to look up in one shot and down in another breaks continuity.
Record a few seconds before and after each take. Handles give editors trim room without cutting into usable dialogue.
Takes and backups
Record safety takes for dialogue. Dual-record audio when possible. Format cards only after verified backup.
Clap or use a visual sync point when recording separate audio and video. It saves sync time in the edit.
Label takes in-camera if the option exists. "Take 3 good" beats scrolling through identical thumbnails later.
Monitor audio while recording
Set input levels so peaks hit around -12 dB on dialogue. Hot levels clip. levels too low pick up preamp noise when boosted later.
Wear headphones on every shoot. The room can sound fine while wind, buzz, or clothing rustle ruins the take.
Move closer to the subject before cranking gain. Distance adds room echo that no filter fully removes.
Recording mistakes to avoid
Auto ISO in changing light, exposure pumping distracts viewers and is hard to grade consistently.
Recording vertical for a project that will ship horizontal without planning crop room.
Stopping a take immediately after the line ends, cutting off breath and natural reaction time.
Single-card storage with no backup before formatting.
Frequently asked questions
- What resolution should I record in?
- 1080p is enough for most web video. 4K helps if you need crop flexibility in the edit.
- What frame rate should I record at?
- 24 fps for cinematic feel, 30 fps for general web and tutorials, 60 fps for smooth motion or slow-motion sources. Stay consistent within a project.
- Should I record audio to the camera or a separate device?
- Camera audio works with a good on-camera or shotgun mic. Separate recorders add safety with dual-system sound for important interviews.
- How do I reduce background noise while recording?
- Choose quiet locations, use directional mics, turn off HVAC when possible, and get the mic closer to the subject.
- Is autofocus reliable for interviews?
- Face-tracking autofocus works on modern cameras if you keep contrast and light steady. Manual focus is safer for static sit-down interviews.
