This Is How to Film Client Interviews

A real on-location interview shoot. Real constraints, real pressure, no perfect setup.

Here’s how I approached the decisions that actually mattered on the day.

This video breaks down a real-world interview shoot - not a vlog, not a gear flex, and definitely not a “perfect setup.”

I recently filmed a professional on-location interview for another YouTube channel @JackTorquesBikes with real constraints, real pressure, and very little room for error. Alongside the main cameras, I ran a body cam to capture behind-the-scenes footage as the shoot unfolded.

Instead of showing an idealised studio build, this video walks through the actual decisions I made on the day - why I made them, how they held up in a working environment, what worked, what slowed me down, and what I’d change if I were doing it again.

If you film interviews for YouTube clients, documentaries, or branded content, this is meant to give you a practical framework you can adapt to your own shoots. We start with the brief and context (because that matters more than any camera or light), then move through the realities of coverage, constraints, and problem-solving on location.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Project Context
00:00:12 The Brief
00:01:49 Camera Setup
00:03:23 Lenses and Framing
00:04:27 Lighting
00:05:20 My Audio Choices
00:06:26 My Behind the Scenes Setup
00:07:32 Reflecting on What Worked
00:08:35 If I had my time again

This is about thinking clearly under pressure, prioritising what matters, and building a setup that serves the story - not your ego.

Many thanks to @JackTorquesBikes for asking me to film his new 'Jack Torques' episode and to Phil for being a great interviewee.

And a special thank you to Jason Germiquet, Founder and Director of Moto Mews Ltd

Moto Mews - The Art of Preservation https://motomews.co.uk/ and you can also found them at   / moto_mews_ltd  

A Granular Films Behind the Scenes Production