How to shoot a dialogue scene for a movie – a primer

You’d think that recording a simple conversation would be quite straightforward. But it’s not as easy as it often looks. If you want to add a little drama you need to put some thought into it.

This video from CinematicJ is primarily aimed at those shooting some kind of dramatic conversation scene for a movie. But, you can also apply some of the techniques and suggestions mentioned in other filming situations.

There’s many different ways you can film a conversation, and a lot will depend on how your subjects are positioned. If you seat them side-by-side, for example, you’d use a different set of angles. But, you’ll still want your master shot, tighter shots and possibly closeups.

Just remember to be careful of your microphone type and positioning. For stuff like this, I tend to use lav mics on my subjects as well as an overhead boomed microphone. This way, I’ve got backups, in case the boom ends up being too far away to get out of the shot.

If you do video for any length of time, at some point somebody will ask you to do an interview. Depending on the type of interview, a more cinematic approach might be appropriate. Lately, less traditional interview techniques are becoming more common. Over a meal or drinks, or perhaps across the desk in an office.

What other tips do you have for filming and editing conversations or interviews? Let us know in the comments.