Filming a Professional Interview in 2025

If you want to film an interview in 2025, having a solid plan is essential. Start by choosing the right equipment for your film interview. Set up your lights properly and ensure your audio is crystal clear. Frame your shot carefully to capture the best angle. It’s also important to help your interviewee feel relaxed during the film interview. Most video interviews today last under 45 minutes, which is much shorter than traditional in-person interviews.

• Typical in-person job interviews: 45–90 minutes

• Video interviews: often much shorter

• 60% of hiring managers use video platforms

Where you film your film interview and what’s behind you matters a lot. Select a quiet location with a tidy background to achieve the best results. Budgets for filming in 2025 can vary:

Video Type	Estimated Cost Range (USD)
Single-camera interview shoot	$1,500 – $3,500
Multi-camera interviews + B-roll	$3,500 – $6,500

To make your film interview look professional, pay attention to every detail—from filming to editing your final video.

Key Takeaways

• Make a plan for your interview. Set clear goals and make a budget. Write questions that help people share real stories. Pick a quiet and clean place. Make sure there is good light and a plain background. This helps people look at your guest. Put the camera in the right spot. Use good lighting, like three-point lighting. This makes your video look nice and professional. Use a good microphone to record sound. Test the sound before you start filming. This stops any problems with noise. Organize your video clips well. Edit them with care. Make short clips with captions. Share these on social media to get people interested.

How to Film an Interview

Pre-Production Steps

Before you start filming, you need a solid plan. Pre-production is where you set yourself up for success. Here’s how to film an interview the right way in 2025:

1. Define your video strategy and goals. Decide what you want your video to achieve. Are you telling a story, sharing expertise, or promoting a brand?

2. Set your budget and scope. Figure out how much you can spend and what resources you need. This helps you avoid surprises later.

3. Develop your story or message. Think about the main idea you want viewers to remember after watching your interview.

4. Create a project timeline. Set deadlines for each step, from interview preparation to editing.

5. Write a script or outline. Even if you want a natural conversation, having a guide keeps you on track.

6. Choose your talent. Pick someone who can deliver your message clearly and confidently.

7. Build your team and gather equipment. You might need a camera operator, sound technician, or just a good tripod and microphone.

8. Scout your location. Look for a spot with good lighting, quiet surroundings, and enough space for your interview setup.

Tip: Always allow extra time for your film interview. Technical issues can pop up, so having a buffer keeps things stress-free.

Planning Questions

Great interviews start with great questions. If you want to know how to film an interview that feels real and engaging, focus on your question list. Here’s what the pros do:

• Prepare open-ended questions. These invite your guest to share stories, not just yes or no answers.

• Ask about challenges, teamwork, and creative moments. This helps your interviewee open up and share unique insights.

• Stay flexible. Sometimes the best moments happen when you follow up on something unexpected.

• Listen actively. If your guest says something interesting, ask them to explain more.

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for deeper answers.

• Tailor your questions to the person and the project. This makes your interview feel personal and authentic.

• Plan, but don’t script every word. Let the conversation flow naturally.

Note: Give your interviewee the questions ahead of time. This simple step reduces nerves and leads to better, more thoughtful answers.

Location and Background

Your location and background can make or break your video. When you think about how to film an interview, pay close attention to your surroundings. Here are the best practices for filming interviews in 2025:

1. Pick a quiet room. Background noise like air conditioners or street sounds can ruin your audio.

2. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds. You don’t want anything behind your guest that pulls attention away from them.

3. Use depth of field. A slightly blurred background keeps the focus on your interviewee.

4. Frame your subject with space for titles or graphics. Have them look just off-camera for a natural feel.

5. Light your subject well. Use fill lights to soften shadows and add a lamp or window light behind them for depth.

6. Choose a room with enough space. This lets you separate your guest from the background, making your video look more professional.

7. Add personal touches. A plant, a piece of art, or a stylish chair can create an interesting backdrop without clutter.

8. Keep your interview setup simple and welcoming. Too much equipment or too many people can make your guest nervous.

Pro Tip: Greet your interviewee warmly, offer water, and chat before filming. A relaxed guest always looks better on camera.

A strong interview setup combines a quiet location, good lighting, and a clean, interesting backdrop. When you focus on these details, your film interview will stand out. Remember, interview preparation is not just about questions—it’s about making your guest comfortable and your video look its best. If you follow these steps, you’ll master how to film an interview that feels both professional and personal.

Equipment Setup

Camera Placement

When you set up and light an interview, camera placement makes a huge difference. You want your video to look natural and keep viewers interested. Place your camera at or just above eye level. This angle feels friendly and respectful. Try using the rule of thirds. Position your guest a little off-center for a balanced shot. If you want a more personal feel, have them look straight into the camera. For most interviews, a medium or medium-close shot (from the chest up) works best.

Many people use two cameras for interviews now. One camera can focus on the guest, while the other captures a wider shot or a different angle. This setup gives you more options when editing your video. You can show reactions, switch angles, and keep things dynamic. New trends in 2025 include AI-assisted cameras, hybrid photo-video gear, and even drones for creative shots. Mobile phones with advanced lenses also work well for filming interviews if you need something portable.

Microphones and Audio

Great audio is just as important as great video. For recording clean sound, you have several microphone choices. Here’s a quick guide:

Microphone Type	Best Use	Interview Setup Benefit
Lavalier (clip-on)	On-the-go, hands-free interviews	Clear sound, lets your guest move freely
Shotgun	Noisy or outdoor locations	Focuses on the speaker, cuts background noise
Condenser	Quiet, controlled studios	Picks up detailed voices
Dynamic (handheld)	Live or street interviews	Tough and reduces background noise
Noise Reduction	Busy or echoey rooms	Filters out unwanted sounds

You can also use audio mixers to balance levels. Try soundproofing your space with rugs or foam panels. This helps block out unwanted noise and keeps your video sounding sharp.

Lighting Basics

Lighting can make or break your interview setup. Start with natural light if you can. Place your guest near a window, but avoid direct sunlight. Use reflectors to bounce light onto their face and soften shadows. If you need more control, add artificial lights. A simple three-point lighting setup works well: key light, fill light, and backlight.

• Key light: Main light, placed at a 45-degree angle.

• Fill light: Softer, on the other side to reduce shadows.

• Backlight: Behind your guest, adds depth.

LED panels are a budget-friendly lighting choice. Adjust brightness and color to match the room. Watch out for harsh shadows, glare on glasses, or uneven lighting. Use diffusers or sheer curtains to soften the light. Add a small lamp or accent light in the background to make your video pop. With the right camera and lighting setup, your interview will look professional and inviting.

Tip: Always check your video on a monitor before you start filming. This helps you spot any problems with your interview setup.

Shoot a Studio Interview

Framing and Composition

When you shoot a studio interview, framing and composition set the stage for a professional look. Start with a medium shot using a zoom lens. This gives your video a classic feel. Place your camera at eye level. This makes your guest look natural and friendly. Try these steps for great results:

1. Use a zoom lens to switch between medium and close-up shots. Begin with a medium shot, then move in for close-ups to show emotion.

2. Position your guest’s eyeline opposite the camera. This keeps the conversation real and helps with eye contact.

3. Lock your medium shot before you set up lights or other gear.

4. Fill the frame with a clean backdrop. Make sure nothing distracts from your guest.

5. Adjust shot width and angle for visual interest.

You can also:

• Apply the rule of thirds. Line up your guest’s eyes along the top third of the frame.

• Leave space in the direction your guest faces. This lead room keeps the interview looking balanced.

• Move your guest away from the background. This adds depth and avoids a flat look.

• Use shallow depth of field for a cinematic interview style.

• Try adding a plant or a prop in the foreground for texture.

Studio Lighting

Lighting shapes the mood of your interview video. Three-point lighting is the gold standard in studios. Here’s how you do it:

1. Place the key light at a 45-degree angle, just above eye level. This light highlights your guest’s face and adds depth.

2. Add a fill light on the other side. Keep it softer than the key light. This smooths out shadows but keeps some contrast.

3. Set a back light behind and above your guest. This creates a rim of light around their head and shoulders. It separates them from the background and makes your video pop.

With this setup, your interview subject stands out. The lighting looks balanced and professional every time.

Directing the Interview

Directing helps your guest feel at ease and brings out real stories. You want your interview to feel natural, not stiff. Try these tips:

1. Let your guest relax after the main questions. Ask if they have anything else to add. Sometimes the best moments come at the end.

2. Help your guest focus on key points. If they stumble, ask for just the important line, not the whole answer again.

3. Use casual chat during setup. Talk about their day or something fun. This builds trust and lowers nerves.

4. Keep your directions simple. Don’t overwhelm your guest with technical talk.

5. Maintain eye contact and show you care about their story. This makes your interview video feel genuine.

6. Reassure your guest that editing will fix small mistakes. This helps them speak freely.

A relaxed guest gives better answers. Your video will capture real emotion and insight. When you combine strong framing, smart lighting, and gentle direction, your studio interview will stand out as both professional and personal.

Film a Commercial Interview

Set Design

When you film a commercial interview, your set design matters a lot. You want your video to look clean and professional. A well-styled set shows viewers that you care about quality. Here’s how set design boosts your interview’s credibility:

1. A polished set makes your interview look professional and trustworthy.

2. Good colors, props, and textures keep viewers interested in your video.

3. Use your brand’s colors or logo in the background to help people remember your company.

4. The set’s style sets the mood—formal or casual—so your message feels right.

5. Keep the background simple to avoid distractions and help your guest look credible.

Try adding a plant, a modern chair, or a branded mug. These small touches make your video stand out without stealing the spotlight from your guest.

Professional Audio

Audio can make or break your interview. In 2025, you have lots of great options for recording clear sound. Many commercial interviews use condenser microphones like the JLab Talk, Neumann TLM 102, or Audio Technica AT2020. These mics pick up voices clearly and look good on camera. Dynamic microphones work well if you film in a noisy place. Wireless and lavalier microphones, such as the Rode Wireless Pro, give your guest freedom to move. You can also use audio mixers or podcast interfaces to control each microphone. Digital recorders and even smartphones with pro mic attachments help you get great sound on the go.

Tip: Always test your audio before you start the interview. Bad sound can ruin a great video.

On-Location Tips

Filming a commercial interview in a business setting brings its own challenges. You need to know your space. Look for a spot with good lighting and little noise. Use three-point lighting—key, fill, and backlight—to make your guest stand out. Add practical lights like desk lamps for extra depth. Place rugs or blankets to cut down on echo. Wireless lavalier microphones help your guest sound clear and let them move naturally.

If you have more than one guest, try using two or three cameras. This lets you capture different angles and makes your video more interesting. For smaller teams, a phone with a good lens and a portable light kit works well. Always chat with your guest before you start. This helps them relax and makes your interview feel real.

Remember: A comfortable guest and a tidy set make your video shine.

Post-Production for Interview

Organizing Footage

When you finish filming your interview, the real work begins. Good organization saves you time and stress. Start by creating a clear folder structure on your computer. For example, you can use folders like ProjectName > RawFootage > Day1_SceneA. Give each interview file a name that makes sense, such as “office-2025-01-interview-closeup.mov.” This helps you find what you need fast.

You can also use tags and color labels in your editing software. These tools help you spot the best interview clips right away. If you shot your interview with more than one camera, set up multi-camera sequences to sync everything. Always back up your interview files so you never lose your work. Some people use special tools called Digital Asset Management systems, but a simple folder system works for most interview projects.

Tip: Keep all your interview footage in one place. This makes editing much easier.

Editing and Color Grading

Now it’s time to shape your interview into a story. Start with a rough cut. Put together the best answers and moments from your interview. Sync your audio and video so everything matches. Use editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro. These tools help you trim, add graphics, and fix mistakes.

Color grading gives your interview a polished look. A clean color grade makes skin tones look natural and keeps backgrounds neutral. This helps viewers trust your interview and focus on the person speaking. Warm colors can make your interview feel friendly, while cool colors add a calm, professional vibe. Don’t forget to check your audio. Good sound makes your interview easy to watch.

Watch out for too many jump cuts or flashy effects. These can distract from your interview and confuse viewers.

Creating Social Clips

You can turn your long interview into short, shareable clips for social media. Pick the most interesting moments from your interview. Keep each clip between 30 and 90 seconds. Add captions so people can follow along without sound. Ask open-ended questions in your captions to get viewers talking.

Change the size and shape of your interview clips to fit each platform, like TikTok or Instagram. Use tools like Riverside’s Magic Clips to speed up the process. Try to keep your interview clips simple and easy to understand. Share quotes or key answers as short videos. This helps your interview reach more people.

Remember: Short, clear interview clips with captions and good branding get the most attention online.

You now know the best practices for filming interviews in 2025. Start by preparing your space, lighting, and equipment. Use three-point lighting and create a comfortable vibe for your guest. Try new tech like AI tools, but keep the human touch in every interview. Share your film interview online and ask your audience questions to boost engagement. What tips work for you? Drop your favorite interview stories or questions in the comments!

FAQ

What camera should you use for interviews in 2025?

You can use a mirrorless camera, a DSLR, or even a smartphone with a good lens. Many people now use AI-powered cameras for easy setup. Pick what fits your budget and skill level.

How do you help your guest feel comfortable on camera?

Greet your guest warmly. Offer water and chat before filming. Let them know you can edit out mistakes. A relaxed guest always looks better on video.

What is the best way to record clear audio?

Use a lavalier or shotgun microphone close to your guest. Test your sound before you start. Rugs or foam panels help reduce echo. Always check your audio levels.

How long should an interview video be?

Most interviews work best at 10–30 minutes. Shorter clips keep viewers interested. For social media, aim for 1–2 minute highlights.