DIY to Professional
How to Record Family Video Interviews
From phone setups to professional cinema cameras. Clear audio, soft light, natural framing, and backups that keep family stories watchable for generations.
TL;DR: Choose Your Path
Family videos fail when audio is noisy or light is harsh. Pick the setup that fits your budget and technical comfort level.
Contents
Quick Start
Record in 10 minutes
- Phone on tripod at eye level, chest-up framing
- Face a window with a sheer curtain; white bounce opposite
- Wired earbuds or simple lav; airplane mode; 1080p/30; lock exposure
- Clap once, record a 20s test, listen back, then roll
Pro look in 10 minutes
- Sony a6700/FX30 + softbox key light 45°
- Manual WB (match light); shutter 1/60; base ISO
- External mic (shotgun or lav); audio peaks -12 dB
- Clap slate; check focus; keep AC power connected
Why Recording Quality Matters
Clear audio and soft light are what make people watch. Faces, pauses, and laughs disappear with harsh light or noisy rooms. Video keeps emotions—how someone smiles, breathes, or pauses—so future generations can feel the story, not just read it.
What to prioritize
- Audio first: close mic, peaks -12 to -6 dB, monitor.
- Soft light: one diffused key, matched color temp.
- Framing: eye level, chest/waist-up, interviewer near lens.
- Redundancy: dual audio or A/B cameras.
Equipment Tiers
From the phone in your pocket to professional cinema rigs.
| Feature | Tier 1: Phone | Tier 2: Webcam | Tier 3: Creator | Tier 4: Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | Good (Auto) | High (Enhanced) | Excellent (APS-C) | Cinema (Full Frame) |
| Audio | OK (Earbuds) | Good (USB Mic) | Great (Shotgun) | Best (XLR Dynamic) |
| Lighting | Natural Window | Ring/Key Light | LED Panel/Softbox | 3-Point Softbox Kit |
| Setup Time | 5 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 20 Minutes | 45+ Minutes |
| Cost Est. | $0 - $50 | $300 - $600 | $1,000 - $2,000 | $4,000+ |
Tier 1: Smartphone
- Camera: Modern iPhone or Android
- Audio: Wired earbuds (hold mic close) or simple lav
- Support: Tripod or steady books
- Lighting: Face a large window (indirect sun)
- Best for: Quick, low-stress capture
Tier 2: Webcam
- Camera: Opal C1 (DSLR quality in a webcam)Check Price
- Audio: USB Dynamic Mic (Samson Q2U, AT2005USB)Check Price
- Support: Monitor mount or small desk tripodCheck Price
- Lighting: Small LED key light or windowCheck Price
- Best for: Remote interviews, direct-to-drive
Tier 3: Creator
- Camera: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony a6700 (APS-C)Check Price
- Lens: Sigma 16mm or 30mm f/1.4 (for blur)Check Price
- Audio: On-camera shotgun (Deity) or Wireless Lav (DJI)Check Price
- Support: Fluid head tripodCheck Price
- Best for: High quality without complexity
Tier 4: Professional
- Camera: Sony FX3 or FX30 (10-bit color)Check Price
- Lens: Sony G Master or Sigma Art PrimesCheck Price
- Audio: Shure SM7B + Interface + CloudlifterCheck Price
- Lighting: 3-point softbox kit (Aputure/Amaran)Check Price
- Best for: Netflix-quality, perfect skin tones
Universal Settings That Matter
Recording Workflows
Pick the flow that fits your comfort and redundancy needs.
Straight to Camera
- Manual WB and exposure; peaking/zebras on; shutter 1/60 at 30fps
- Set audio peaks -12 to -6 dB; safety track if available
- Keep rolling between questions to avoid gaps
To Computer
- Camera → clean HDMI → capture card; interface for XLR mics
- Disable OS notifications; hardwire power and internet
- Record locally with plenty of space; label inputs; check meters
Hybrid (Best Practice)
- Camera records internally; computer captures backup audio or proxy
- Dual audio paths (camera + interface); slate/clap for sync
- If one path fails, the other survives
Set Up Your Recording Space
Quiet room, meaningful backdrop, soft light, safe stands.
Room & Sound
- Quiet HVAC; turn off fridge/AC; add rugs/curtains.
- Lav: pin high; Dynamic (SM7): 4–6 inches, pop filter.
- Table noise: pad table; hands in lap.
Framing & Comfort
- Eye-level camera; chest/waist-up; interviewer just off-lens.
- Leave headroom; avoid backlit windows; add depth.
- Stable chairs; water/tissues ready; comfortable temp.
Window-only
Seat the subject facing the window; sheer curtain for softness; white foam board bounce opposite; avoid backlight.
One softbox (D90)
Key at 45° slightly above eye level; bounce fill off wall; warm practical lamp in background for depth.
Two lights / A-B
Key + gentle fill or hair; match color temp; flag spill from background; maintain depth with practical.
| Room size | Focal length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small room | 24–28mm (APS-C equiv.) | Subject ~4–5 ft from camera; ~3–4 ft from background; watch distortion. |
| Medium room | 35mm | Subject ~5–6 ft from camera; ~4–6 ft from background; natural perspective. |
| Large room | 50mm | Subject ~6–8 ft from camera; ~6–8 ft from background; nice compression. |
Prepare for the Interview
Simple steps before you roll.
Download the Shoot Day Checklist
Don't forget a memory card or battery. Get our printable 1-page PDF checklist for gear, room setup, and interview etiquette.
Day Before
- Charge everything; format cards; pack list ready
- Print/save prompts (pick 5–10) from questions guide
- Clean lenses; pack white/gray card; check stands
- Record a 10s test clip with audio and review
Day Of
- Arrive early; set room and lighting; set WB
- Record 20s test; listen on headphones; adjust gain
- Brief the storyteller; plan breaks; discuss sensitivities
- Name files before rolling; clap slate
Remote Recording Setups
Make webcam or iPhone recordings look and sound great.
Simple
- Laptop + 1080p webcam; wired earbuds
- Face a window; quiet room; disable AGC/NR if possible
- Record locally if platform allows
Better
- Opal C1 or Logitech Brio (far better than laptop cams)
- USB dynamic (Samson Q2U, AT2005USB) or USB-C lav; pop filter
- Small LED key; ethernet preferred; monitor levels
Best
- iPhone as webcam (Continuity/Camo) on tripod; softbox key
- XLR dynamic (SM7B/PodMic) → interface; optional capture card for clean HDMI
- Hardwire internet; local high-bitrate recording; UPS if power is flaky
Platform settings (quick hits)
Zoom / Meet / Teams
- Enable 1080p if available; Original Sound in Zoom
- Disable AGC/NR if possible; avoid heavy suppression
- Local recording if allowed; hardwire internet
Riverside / Descript
Standard for podcast creators. Records local high-quality files instead of compressed internet video.
- Prefer local tracks; verify storage space
- Hardwire internet; close background apps
- Clap slate for sync with camera audio
Conducting the Interview
Sit close to the lens, speak slightly past it, ask open questions, then be quiet. Warm up, let silence do work, and note timecodes for great moments.
What works
- Open questions; “Tell me more,” “What happened next?”
- Interviewer near lens for natural eyeline
- Hands off table; relaxed posture; slow nods
What to avoid
- Leading questions or interrupting stories
- Jumping topics rapidly; rushing through prompts
- Ignoring fatigue—schedule breaks
Want guided interviewing and production handled for you?
Telloom in-person or remote production
After Recording: Backup & Basics
3-2-1 backups, clear filenames, gentle polish.
Backup flow
- Copy cards before format; two local copies + one cloud
- File names: YYYYMMDD_subject_camA/B
- Clap spike for sync; align waveforms
Light polish
- Text-based editing: Tools like Descript let you edit video just by deleting text—perfect for fixing stumbles without learning pro software.
- Normalize voice to ~-16 LUFS; gentle noise reduction
- Export 1080p high bitrate; add captions
- Archive RAW; cloud backup for masters
The "Shoebox" Problem: Making Memories Usable
Recording is only half the battle. Too many family interviews end up buried on a hard drive labeled "backup_2024" or lost in a cloud folder where nobody watches them.
How Telloom solves this:
- Searchable TranscriptsEvery word is indexed. Search for "grandpa's war story" or "mom's apple pie recipe" and find the exact moment in seconds.
- AI SummariesGet quick, readable summaries of every story so you can scan through memories without watching hours of footage.
- Private Family ArchiveNot social media. A secure, private space where you control who watches and who inherits the archive.
Telloom automatically transcribes and organizes every video you upload.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When to Hire a Professional
Sometimes you just want it done right. Hiring a professional takes the pressure off you and ensures a broadcast-quality result that feels like your favorite documentary.
The "Done Right" Guarantee
- No technical stress for you
- Perfect lighting & audio guaranteed
- Polished, edited final films
Expert Guidance
- Calm, guided interview process
- Help with story structure
- Handling sensitive topics
Transparent Pricing
See our Services page for clear packages and pricing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about recording family history.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely Cause | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Video looks "grainy" or fuzzy | Not enough light; camera ISO is too high. | Add more light (move closer to window) instead of increasing brightness on the camera. |
| Audio has a loud hum or hiss | Preamp noise (gain too low) or ground loop (charging while recording). | Move mic closer to mouth (reducing gain needs) or unplug laptop charger. |
| Subject looks orange or blue | Wrong White Balance (e.g., set to "Daylight" while under warm lamps). | Manually set White Balance to match your main light source (e.g., 5600K for window). |
| Background is distracting | Subject is sitting right against a wall. | Pull subject 4–6 feet away from the wall to create depth and blur the background. |
Key Terms to Know
The sound of "silence" in your room (HVAC, fridge hum). Recording 30 seconds of this helps remove noise later.
Microphone sensitivity. Too high causes distortion (clipping); too low introduces hiss (noise floor).
The main light source on your subject's face. Should be soft and positioned at a 45-degree angle.
Supplemental footage (photos, hands, heirlooms) used to hide cuts in the interview and add visual interest.
What makes a video interview look "professional"?
Professional interviews combine soft, directional lighting (avoiding overhead lights), crisp audio from a close microphone (not the camera mic), and a clean background with depth.
Do I really need an external microphone?
Yes. Audio is more important than video. A cheap lavalier mic plugged into a phone will sound better than a $3,000 camera using its built-in microphone.
How do I keep long video files organized?
Use a dedicated platform like Telloom that transcribes and indexes your videos. Raw files on a hard drive are hard to search; transcripts make them accessible.
Can I just use Zoom to record?
Zoom compresses video heavily. For better quality, use platforms like Riverside or Descript that record local high-quality files on each person's computer.
How long should a session be?
45–90 minutes works best. Split into two sessions if energy fades.
Simple redundancy with one camera?
Add a second audio path (phone voice memo nearby) and spare battery/card. Keep both rolling.
Still have questions?
We're happy to help you figure out the best setup for your situation.
Written by the Telloom Production Team
This guide was written and reviewed by professional documentary filmmakers with over 15 years of experience in interview production, lighting, and archival workflow. We update this guide quarterly to reflect the latest camera gear and remote recording software.