Project: A High-Profile Two-Person Interview
We planned this two-person interview as the centrepiece of the “Archiving Seasons of Light” exhibition at Tin Sheds Gallery in Sydney. It brought together the perspectives of renowned architect Kengo Kuma, based in Tokyo and Paris, and acclaimed photographer Dr. Erieta Attali, who works out of New York and Paris.
Challenge: Conducting the Interview in Limited Time
We had just one hour with Kengo Kuma between his travel commitments, and only three hours at the venue. To make the most of this limited window, we used a two-camera setup to film both speakers at once, ensuring comprehensive coverage while keeping the production efficient and cost-effective.
Filming, Editing & Delivery
During the one-hour shoot, I framed the interviewer from behind in a locked-off wide shot that included his shoulder, the photographer, and the architect. A second camera, positioned just beside the main one, gave us flexibility to switch between wide and slightly tighter angles. The primary camera captured the speakers’ responses in real time.
After the interview, I re-lit the scene and repositioned the camera to film the interviewer’s questions – commonly known as reverses. Dr Lee Stickells, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and our interviewer, knew the material inside out. With the help of his notes, he easily recreated each question.
Filming under pressure made it challenging to follow every detail of the conversation – by the end, it was hard to recall what had been said. But in the edit suite, everything came together. Adding the photographer’s beautiful imagery brought clarity and narrative flow to the piece.
Watch the clip below – it speaks for itself.
Interview
Interview with a world renown architect and his trusted photographer
Extract from full length interview 2’41”
Client Testimonial
“I was referred to Thorsten through his ABC work and he surpassed my expectations at all stages. The job was to record an academic interview between a star architect and a professional photographer. It involved recording, sound engineering and a very complex edit. The interview involved talent that were more used to a specialised audience. Thorsten edited one hour of intensive academic interview into a compelling ready-to-broadcast piece that would engage viewers unfamiliar with the subject.
Throughout the editing, Thorsten showed an eye for detail and excellent judgement as the narrative and images perfectly reflected the flow of the interview.”
Faculty of Architecture,
Design and Planning, University of Sydney