Documentary-style interviews and cinematic videos have a unique power to connect with viewers on a deeper level. Whether you're a brand, creator, or filmmaker, mastering this style can boost the authenticity and impact of your content.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from planning and shooting to editing — to create compelling documentary-style videos. We'll also explore how NearStream's gear can help elevate your production.
So, let's get started.
What is a Documentary-Style Interview?
A documentary-style interview is a type of interview that focuses on capturing real, honest conversations rather than scripted or heavily rehearsed answers. Unlike traditional interviews that might feel staged or overly formal, documentary interviews aim to show people in their natural state, sharing genuine thoughts and emotions.
This style often takes place in authentic settings that relate to the subject's story, such as their workplace, home, or a meaningful location, which adds context and depth.
The goal is to tell a story through the interview, not just to get facts. The interview feels personal and cinematic, combining the person's words with the atmosphere, lighting, and background sounds to create an emotional connection with the viewer.
This approach helps the audience feel like they are part of the conversation, making the message more engaging and believable.
What Makes an Interview 'Documentary-Style'?
A documentary-style interview is defined by several important features:
Authenticity: The subject speaks naturally in their real environment, making the conversation feel honest and genuine.
Storytelling: It goes beyond facts to reveal emotions, motivations, and the deeper story behind the person.
Visual Style: Cinematic composition, natural lighting, and multiple camera angles create an engaging visual experience.
Ambient Elements: Background sounds, environmental visuals, and natural lighting add depth and atmosphere.
Unscripted Flow: Conversations feel spontaneous, avoiding stiff or rehearsed answers.
Together, these factors create interviews that are intimate, emotional, and visually rich.
Why Brands and Creators Use Documentary-Style Videos
Planning a Documentary Interview Setup
Good planning is the foundation of a smooth, cinematic documentary interview. Taking time to prepare your setup helps you avoid problems and capture engaging footage that tells a story.
Choosing the Right Location
The location you choose acts as the backdrop for your interview and helps set the mood. There are two main options: real-world environments and staged settings. Each has its own advantages.
Real-world Environments vs Staged Settings
Real-world environments add authenticity and context to the story. For example, interviewing a chef in their kitchen brings the atmosphere of their daily work life and makes the story more believable.
Staged settings give you full control over lighting, sound, and visuals. You can create a clean, distraction-free space, but if it feels too artificial, the interview might lose some natural charm.
Using Depth and Textures to Add Cinematic Value
Adding depth means including layers in your shot to make the video more dynamic. Think of having a clear foreground, your subject in the middle, and an interesting background. Textured backgrounds like brick walls, bookshelves, or plants add visual appeal without distracting the viewer from the person speaking.
Planning the Conversation Flow
Before you start filming, outline the main topics or questions you want to cover. Keep the tone casual and conversational. Start with easy questions to help your subject relax, then move into deeper, more thoughtful questions. Give space for natural pauses and reactions — these moments often reveal the most genuine emotions.
One-Person vs Multi-Person Interviews (How Setups Change)
One-person interviews focus on a direct connection with your subject. Place the camera at eye level or slightly off-center for a flattering and engaging shot.
Multi-person interviews require more complex setups with multiple cameras and microphones. You'll want to capture each person's expressions and dialogue naturally, so plan for several angles and sound sources.
Documentary Interview Camera Setup
The way you set up your cameras plays a big role in how your documentary interview looks and feels. A good camera setup not only improves the video quality but also helps tell the story better.
Camera Angles and Composition
Using different camera angles keeps your video interesting and helps show more about the person and their environment. Here are some common shot types:
Close-ups: These shots focus tightly on the subject's face. They capture emotions like happiness, sadness, or excitement, making the interview feel personal.
Medium shots: These show the subject from about the waist up. They capture body language and gestures, giving more context to what the person is saying.
Wide shots: These show the subject within their environment, like an office or outdoors. Wide shots give viewers a sense of place and add storytelling layers.
Try to use the rule of thirds when framing your shots. Imagine your screen divided into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. Position your subject slightly off-center, either to the left or right. This creates a balanced, natural-looking frame that's pleasing to the eye.
One-Camera vs Two-Camera Setup
If you're new to filming or working with a tight budget, a one-camera setup can work well. You'll just need to shoot the interview multiple times from different angles or move the camera between shots. It takes more time in shooting and editing but can still produce good results.
For a more professional and dynamic look, use a two-camera setup. One camera can capture a close-up of the subject, while the other records a wider shot or a different angle. This makes your video more engaging and allows you to switch between shots without interrupting the flow. Plus, it reduces the need for retakes since you get more coverage in one go.v
Using Capture Card and Mixer for Real-Time Monitoring
To make filming easier and ensure everything looks and sounds great during the shoot, NearStream offers helpful tools.
The 4K60 USB 3.1 Capture Card lets you connect high-quality cameras—like DSLRs or the NearStream 4K Wired Streaming Camera VM20—directly to your computer. This setup lets you watch your footage live on the screen and adjust the framing or settings right away, so you don't have to wait until after shooting to see how it turned out.
Alongside this, the AMIX40U Portable Audio Mixer allows you to connect multiple microphones and adjust sound levels in real time. Whether you're using lapel mics, boom mics, or USB microphones, the mixer helps keep the audio clear and balanced, so your interview sounds just as good as it looks.
Using these tools together makes filming smooth and professional, helping you focus on the conversation and storytelling without worrying about technical problems.
Documentary Lighting Setup for Cinematic Feel
Lighting is one of the most important parts of creating a cinematic look for your documentary interviews. The way you light your subject and the scene sets the mood and makes your video look professional.
Key Light Techniques for Interviews
The key light is the main light that shines on your subject's face. It should be soft and even to avoid harsh shadows or bright spots. Using a large softbox or a ring light is a great way to get smooth, flattering light that highlights the person naturally.
Position the key light at about a 45-degree angle to the subject's face, so you get a nice balance of light and gentle shadows, which add dimension without being distracting.
Adding Depth with Background Lighting
To make your shots look more three-dimensional, add a light that shines on the background behind your subject. This background light helps separate the subject from the background, preventing them from blending together on camera.
For example, if you're filming in front of a plain wall, a background light can create interesting shadows or highlights that add visual depth. You can use colored gels or adjust the brightness to create different moods or highlight textures.
Controlling Light for Mood
The color and intensity of your lights can change the whole feeling of the interview. Here are some examples:
Use warm, soft lighting (like orange or yellow tones) for cozy, relaxed, or emotional scenes. This kind of light feels inviting and personal.
Use cooler, sharper lighting (like blue or white tones) for serious, professional, or dramatic interviews. Cooler light adds a sense of focus and clarity.
You can adjust your lights using dimmers, filters, or by changing the bulbs to fit the tone you want to create. Good lighting isn't just about visibility—it's about storytelling.
Capturing Professional Audio for Cinematic Interviews
Clear, balanced audio is essential.
Lavalier vs Boom Mic — Which to Choose?
Lavalier mics clip onto clothing and are discreet, perfect for interviews where you want to hide the mic.
Boom mics are mounted on a boom pole above the subject and capture more natural sound but require more setup.
NearStream's USB & XLR Condenser Microphone AM25X provides studio-quality audio, great for voice clarity. For wireless convenience, the Wireless Microphone AWM20T allows freedom of movement without losing sound quality.
Using an Audio Mixer for Balanced Sound
An audio mixer like the AMIX40U Portable Audio Mixer helps you combine multiple audio sources, adjust levels, and monitor sound live, reducing problems like background noise or uneven volume.
Post-Production Tips for Cinematic Documentary-Style Interviews
Editing for Story First, Visuals Second
Edit your footage to highlight the story. Cut out filler or off-topic sections and use B-roll to illustrate points and keep viewers engaged.
Color Grading for Cinematic Feel
Color grading adjusts colors and tones to enhance the mood. Use warm or cool color palettes to support the emotional content of your video. Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve offer powerful grading features.
Adding Subtle Branding Without Distracting
Include your logo or branded lower-thirds tastefully. Keep them small and out of the way to maintain viewer focus on the subject.
Advanced Tips to Elevate Your Documentary-Style Videos
Use of Slow Motion, Close-Ups, and Ambient B-roll
Slow motion can emphasize emotional moments. Close-ups capture detail and intimacy. Ambient B-roll adds context — for example, footage of a workshop while the subject talks about their craft.
Layer Natural Sound and Ambient Audio for Immersion
Add background sounds like footsteps, birds, or city noise to bring viewers into the scene and make the interview feel lived-in.
Simulate Cinematic Interview with Live Switching
Using NearStream's Multi-Cam Streaming Kit allows you to switch between multiple cameras live. This works well for events, webinars, or interviews with multiple participants, making the final video dynamic without heavy post-production.
Cost Breakdown: DIY Documentary Setup vs Pro Setup
When planning your documentary interview, your budget will influence the equipment you choose. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect at different budget levels.
DIY Budget Setup ($500–$1,000)
If you're just starting out or working with a limited budget, you can still create solid documentary interviews using affordable gear:
Smartphone or entry-level camera: Many modern smartphones shoot great video and can be a good starting point. Alternatively, an affordable DSLR or mirrorless camera will work.
Basic ring light or softbox: To get decent lighting without spending much, a simple ring light or small softbox will soften shadows and light your subject evenly.
Lavalier microphone or USB mic: Clear audio is key. A budget lavalier (clip-on) mic or a USB microphone plugged into your computer can capture good sound for interviews.
Simple tripod and basic editing software: Stability is important. A tripod helps avoid shaky footage, and free or low-cost editing software can get your video ready to share.
This setup is perfect for beginners who want to experiment without spending too much.
Pro-Level Setup ($2,000+)
For a more polished, professional look and smoother workflow, investing in higher-quality gear makes a big difference:
NearStream 4K Wired Streaming Camera VM20 and Wireless Camera VM33: These cameras deliver crisp, high-resolution video with optical zoom and wireless flexibility, perfect for dynamic interviews.
Portable Audio Mixer AMIX40U: Manage multiple microphones and control sound levels in real time, ensuring clean, balanced audio.
USB & XLR Condenser Mic AM25X and Wireless Mic AWM20T: High-quality microphones capture crystal-clear voice recordings, whether wired or wireless.
Capture Card CCD30 for live monitoring: Connect your cameras to your computer for live preview and real-time adjustments, saving time in post-production.
Professional lighting kits and backdrops: Softboxes, LED panels, and customizable backgrounds add cinematic lighting and set the tone of your interview environment.
This pro setup suits creators aiming for top-tier production quality, live streaming, or frequent video projects.
How NearStream Gear Helps You Elevate Documentary Interviews
NearStream offers a full lineup of products designed specifically for creators who want professional-quality documentary interviews without complexity.
Video: The VM20 and VM33 cameras provide stunning 4K video with optical zoom and wireless freedom.
Audio: The AM25X condenser mic and AWM20T wireless mic ensure clear, professional sound.
Mixing: The AMIX40U mixer balances multiple audio sources and enables real-time monitoring.
Capture: The CCD30 capture card connects cameras to your computer for live previews.
Complete kits: NearStream's Interview Kit bundles these tools for convenience and seamless integration.
Using NearStream gear means less time troubleshooting and more time focusing on your story. Your interviews will look cinematic, sound clear, and captivate your audience every time.
