This video is one from a series of customer testimonials. We used a standard three-point lighting setup, but the image we achieved is especially film-like because of a few tweaks we made both during and after filming.

First, we used shallow depth of field to blur the background. That focuses the viewer’s eye on the subject in the foreground. Second, we used a gold reflector as fill light (the key light was a fluorescent light panel) to give a warm feeling to the setting. Then in post-production, we carefully color-graded to boost contrast and “crush” the blacks, and added a dash of “digital makeup” to soften skin tones. This skin-softening effect can be accomplished using actual makeup while shooting, but doing it in post takes up none of the subject’s time. Which is a benefit our clients like, too.

“These came out great,” the client said.

After the shoot, we suggested doing a version of the interviews that would combine highlight footage of each subject into one video. Since we would use already-existing footage, there would be little additional cost. The client liked the idea and was happy to approve the “best of” version.