We love a cinematic multi-camera, multi-light production as much as anyone. But when a project needs to be fast, beautiful, and budget-smart, our go-to is a single-camera interview built around the Sony 50mm f/1.2 G-Master. It’s a compact, high-quality setup that delivers premium results without the overhead of a full crew—perfect for brand stories, testimonials, executive messages, and social cutdowns.

Why the 50mm f/1.2?

• Flattering, true-to-life perspective
  On full-frame, 50mm sits right in that “natural” focal length sweet spot—faces look like faces, not stretched or compressed.

• Creamy background separation
  At f/1.2, we can blur busy environments into soft texture, guiding attention to your subject’s words and expressions.

• Low-light flexibility
  That fast aperture lets us work efficiently with smaller lighting footprints (or natural light) while keeping noise low and skin tones rich.

• Color and micro-contrast
  The G-Master glass renders color accurately with crisp micro-details—so your brand looks polished on any screen.

The Single-Camera Interview: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Speed & efficiency
  Faster setup, shorter footprint, and fewer retakes. Great for executives with tight calendars or fast-moving locations.

• Lower production overhead
  A smaller crew and streamlined gear list keep costs in check without sacrificing image quality.

• Authentic performance
  One lens, one line of sight. Interviewees relax faster, stay present, and deliver more natural responses.

• Post-production clarity
  A clean master angle avoids awkward angle mismatches and ensures consistent skin tones and lighting.

Cons (and how we solve them)

• Less angle variety
  Solution: We plan smart cutaways (hands, environment, product), capture B-roll that supports key points, and record room tone for seamless edits.

• Fewer “live” cut points
  Solution: We structure the conversation in sections, coach for short, complete answers, and use pickup lines to bridge thoughts.

• Limited in dynamic roundtables
  Solution: For multi-voice discussions or panel energy, we recommend 2–3 cameras to preserve pace and chemistry.

Where Single-Cam Shines

• Customer testimonials that need to feel personal and sincere

• Founder or CEO messages where clarity and trust matter most

• Recruiting and HR stories focused on people and culture

• Short-form social edits (vertical and horizontal) from a clean master take

• On-location brand stories where speed and discretion are critical

The Look, The Sound, The Story

A beautiful image is only half the story. Our one-camera interview workflow is built for broadcast-grade audio and editorial flow:

• Pro audio chain (lav + boom as backup) for rich, present dialogue

• Soft, directional lighting that keeps skin tones true and eyes bright

• Intentional composition (eye-line, headroom, negative space) for a signature “Jason & Elle” frame

• Guided interview with prepped prompts, run-of-show, and narrative beats

• B-roll strategy aligned to your talking points, captured immediately before/after the interview

Budget-Smart Doesn’t Mean “Basic”

You want high quality—without surprise invoices. Here’s how we protect both:

1. Define the deliverables
   What’s the final output—one hero video, or a hero plus social cutdowns? Knowing this up front keeps filming focused and post costs predictable.

2. Prioritize the impact shots
   We tailor B-roll to the moments that actually land your message—no aimless montages.

3. Choose the right crew for the goal
   Solo/duo for speed and intimacy. Add a gaffer or 2nd cam op when you truly need angle variety or complex lighting.

4. Plan for multi-use
   We frame and light so footage repurposes cleanly for website, internal comms, LinkedIn, reels, and ads—max value from one shoot day.

5. Set the edit plan early
   We agree on run time, tone, typography, and aspect ratios before we roll. Fewer revisions, faster delivery.

When to Step Up to Multi-Cam & Multi-Light

• Panel discussions / debates that need live angle switching and reaction shots

• High-stakes brand films where visual variety is part of the creative concept

• Product demos that require simultaneous close-ups and wides

• Events where continuity and coverage matter more than intimacy

If your story relies on energy, pace, and multiple perspectives, we’ll recommend a 2–3 camera build with a fuller lighting design. If your story relies on clarity, credibility, and connection, our one-camera 50mm setup may be the smarter play.

Recommended Packages (At a Glance)

• Essential Interview (Single-Cam, 50mm)
  Pre-production consult, guided interview, pro audio, compact lighting, one master edit (plus captions).
  Best for: testimonials, leadership messages, recruitment.

• Interview + B-Roll Upgrade
  Everything in Essential + targeted B-roll and 2–3 social cutdowns.
  Best for: web + social distribution, campaign landing pages.

• Multi-Cam Narrative
  2–3 cameras, expanded lighting, dedicated gaffer and 2nd op, motion graphics package.
  Best for: brand films, panels, complex product stories.

(We’ll match the build to your goals and budget, transparently.)

Bottom Line

A single Sony 50mm f/1.2 interview can look incredible, feel authentic, and respect your budget—especially when speed matters. Multi-cam has its place, and we love building those productions too. The art is choosing the right tool for the story, the timeline, and the spend.

Have a story to tell? Let’s shape it the smart way—fast, beautiful, and on budget.
Jason & Elle · Dekodi Group — People-first visuals. Results-focused production.