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Filming Office Interviews - Dress the Set

It Ain’t No Pitch, Shoots and Leaves

Filming today in Cape Town for a Japanese client, I realised that what we do as filmmakers really never is straight forward. If you don’t have a decent office location to film, then you’ve got to roll your sleaves up and start moving furniture until you do. Below, is what we created on camera with the space we had.

Incubate Video crew filming interviewee in office
The final set up as seen on monitor

Shoot Set up

As I said, if you're filming office interviews, then dress the set. First we removed the table, chairs, fridge and microwave. Then we brought in the high stool and began lighting and modelling around that. We used a pop out black reflector to give shadow on the face and minimise the light coming in from the window (on left of shot). Once happy with the lighting and what we could do with the minimal gear on hand, we set the shelves to look balanced and uncluttered, removing out of place items. Finally we brought in the pot plant to break the flatness and add a pop of complementary colour.

Office space before interview filming set up
The space we started with

It Takes Time to Dress the Set

Yup, it takes time and often client’s don’t understand this (and some refuse to want to understand it). We always request time for pre-shoot set up, but invariably find we need more time than budgeted. This is where communication skills are needed, to explain to client and interviewee estimated time delays and if everyone is on board. Some clients don’t mind the fridge and microwave being in shot but most are happy to allow for a location set up that helps mold the interview and not distract from it.


Not for Every Interview

Not all interviews are equal and this applied to the filming on this case study film. Our main interviewee was the central narrator and the careful set up of her interview places her prominence. A second interview we did, a satellite to the story, was set up simpler and to convey more of the “in work” environment.

Office setting with interviewee seated for filming
Second interview set up (more informal)

It’s The Whole Package

Telling an authentic story on camera is more than just the interviewee, it’s everything that surrounds them, the location, the props, the lighting and what motivates them as a collective. It’s what gives stories texture and depth. It’s more than just shallow depth of field (don’t get me started on that one).


Need a crew for your next Cape Town or Johannesburg shoot? Visit Incubate Productions: https://www.incubatevideo.co.za/ — see our Video Crew: https://www.incubatevideo.co.za/video-crew-south-africa


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