Today, we are in the European Parliament, capturing an important moment as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) come together to stand in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence in Sudan. This type of shoot requires a combination of technical precision, careful lighting, and the right gear to ensure the message is delivered clearly and powerfully.
Setting Up the Scene
Filming inside the European Parliament comes with its own set of challenges, but also advantages. The natural lighting is often strong, eliminating the need for additional grids. However, to create the perfect shot, we focus on separating the subject from the background.
We achieve this by using a two-point lighting setup with Aputure lights— 300DM2 and two Infibar PB6s for a controlled and soft fill. This helps enhance the subject while keeping the background slightly darker, drawing attention to the person delivering the message.
The Camera Setup
For this shoot, we rely on the Sony FX6, a cinematic workhorse, paired with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens to create a shallow depth of field. This ensures a beautiful bokeh effect, keeping the speaker in crisp focus while blurring the distractions in the background.
The framing follows a triangle composition, ensuring the speaker looks directly into the lens for a strong, direct connection with the audience.
Capturing Clear and Professional Audio
One of the most crucial aspects of any production is audio. Given that we are filming in one of the busiest hubs in the Parliament—where people are constantly moving in and out of plenary sessions—we need a setup that minimizes background noise while maintaining crisp vocal clarity.
Today, we opted for a short shotgun mic Rode Mic USB 2.0, as it helps cut out surrounding noise and focus on the speaker. This mic is connected wirelessly to the DJI Mic 2, which internally records and transfers the audio to our Sony FX6 through the hot-shoe.
Why 32-Bit Recording Matters
Using 32-bit float recording gives us flexibility in post-production. In an environment like this—full of echoes, movement, and background conversations—it allows us to capture a clean and balanced sound without worrying about clipping or excessive noise.
If additional noise reduction is needed, we always have a backup solution: the Sennheiser 418, an industry-standard directional mic for high-noise environments. While we didn’t need it today, it’s always part of our gear for shoots in unpredictable spaces.
Bringing the Message to Life
Filming in a fast-paced political setting means adapting quickly, making the right technical choices, and ensuring that every detail is executed flawlessly. Our goal is simple: to create a visually compelling and technically sound production that amplifies the voices of those advocating for change.
And for the results? This is the power of storytelling through film—combining the right visuals, sound, and framing to deliver a message that resonates.
