how to: light a cinematic on-location interview

Today's episode is an in-depth guide to crafting a cinematic on-location interview using a standard 3-point lighting setup as the foundation. We'll cover subject placement, key light placement, the inverse square law, filling in the shadow with bounces, hard vs soft lighting, placing a hair and kicker light, and more!
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---- GEAR USED ----
camera: canon 90D - amzn.to/3K5ewUQ
lens: Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 - amzn.to/3xo5YRk
microphone: Azden SMX30 - amzn.to/3lCPD8I
kelvin EPOS 300: amzn.to/48musew
aputure infinibar pb12: amzn.to/4a9LYUG
aputure mc pro: amzn.to/4aaGoBy
aputure mt pro: amzn.to/3R7DUey
---- LEARN MORE ----
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what's in my G&E kit?: www.tylertrepod.com/package
see the lights I own: www.tylertrepod.com/gear
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#led #filmlighting #gaffer

[@thegranitegaffer]

Find anything confusing? Did I not explain something enough? Drop a comment below and I'll help you explore any of these concepts! ❤

[@justinosby2884]

Hey great video once agin! How is it possible to make the hair light approximately the same distance from the subject's head and shoulders?

[@jenavineful]

you're a lighting genius! Thanks so much for sharing this. It is the best video I've found on lighting.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear you found the video helpful!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@NickDelDuca]

This video is perfect, I didn't know the part about the light needing to be further away to look less sourcy. That's great to know!

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that part made sense!!

[@vladimirstankov8379]

It’s mad how you don’t have more views - great content and presentation

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you for the words of support! 🙏

[@thestivo]

Just watched two of your videos and learned more about lighting as ever before. Thank you so much and please keep on creating this great content.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you for the support! I'm glad to hear the videos are useful for you! 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@Jmartinezvega]

I found your channel a few weeks ago and I’m very happy that you are still doing videos. Your content is amazing! Keep it coming, please.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Glad you're finding the videos useful!

[@JoATTech]

Great tutorial, one of the best here on YT.
I know inverse square law, but just lately (like two weeks ago) learned how to used it to avoid the sourciness of the light. Seems only gaffers can explain it good enough for mortals to understand it :D.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Appreciate the kind words! 🙏🙏🙏

[@danielcolmenares5608]

Great job taking some very difficult subject matters and explaining them clearly!
My only note (and I know how much extra work this is, specially as a 1 man band, so know that its relatively minor) is mixing in more real world examples from interviews you've lit as you discuss different lighting styles/looks. You did a great job with the graphics but I think a little bit more show and less tell would elevate the content.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thanks for watching, Daniel! I agree that would definitely enhance the content as well as make it easier for the viewer to see what I'm talking about. I'll add building a b-roll stockpile to the list of things I need to do when I'm on set... 😂😂😂

[@igorzhidkov1957]

Very informative video! You basically summarized 15+ hours of youtube content I watched before my first shooting down to 15 min. First time I made some errors, second time I made much less errors. If your video existed few months ago, maybe my first try would be better.
Suggestion for future content: explain full pipline of making youtube talking head video. I know you are lighting expert, but some basic info about most important in-camera settings, color temperature, basic colorgrading, exposure, cutting, and some tricks about filming yourself alone, might be useful for your audience. As far as i know, there is no such video on youtube, which clearly enough explains all the steps of the process from start to finish.

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you! I'm glad you found the video useful! And that's a good idea, I'll think on that.. 🤔

[@SeanBowes]

pro tip: make sure to tell your subject he's a good boy

[@sussvarman]

works great for border collies and los angeles celebrities!

[@thegranitegaffer]

He's forever my best boy 🐕🐶

[@FilmmakersAtLarge]

Good video

[@thegranitegaffer]

Thank you!! 🙏 🙏 🙏