Setting Up a Basic In-House Studio for Corporate Video Production
In the corporate world, video content is king – yet not every company has the budget or time to summon a full-fledged production team at the snap of a finger, every time there is a need for a short video. In our work, we often receive video clips from offices around the globe to include in our edits, and while the content is extremely useful, the varying quality is always noticeable – making it clear that a well-equipped, basic studio can make all the difference.
The show must go on, always, so having the ability to produce quality video content in-house can be a game changer. Whether you're creating internal communications, marketing materials, or documentary footage, a well-equipped studio ensures that your videos maintain a professional standard, even when working on a tight budget or schedule. Let’s be honest: not every company has a George Lucas in the boardroom, but that doesn’t mean your corporate videos have to look like they were directed by Linda from accounting, using an intern with a smartphone as crew. With the right setup, you can turn even the most uninspiring office corner into a mini studio that churns out content worthy of the C-suite. In this guide, we’ll show you how to build your own in-house studio—because sometimes, even Steve from HR deserves to look like a movie star.
So let us dive into the essentials of building your own in-house video production studio, where the lighting is just right, the sound is crisp, and the coffee is always close at hand.
1. One-Person Presentation Setup
Composition & Camera Setup: For a professional-looking one-person presentation, start with a clean and uncluttered background. Position the camera at eye level, framing the subject using the rule of thirds, a fundamental concept in framing for video production. Imagine dividing your frame into nine equal parts by drawing two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The key idea is to place the subject along these lines or at their intersections, rather than in the centre of the frame. This works well for interview type scenarios, where the person being framed is looking at an angle off the opposite site of the frame where they are sitting. In case you are filming a direct address or presentation, placing your speaker directly in the centre works best, unless you are going for a news broadcast type of video, in which case you’ll need some space to add image next to the speaker.
A two-camera setup can add dynamism in the edit: one camera capturing a medium shot (waist up) and the other for a close-up (shoulders up). This allows you to switch between perspectives, adding visual interest and keeping the audience engaged. Ensure both cameras maintain consistent lighting and colour balance to avoid noticeable differences in the footage during editing. This setup is especially effective for interviews or presentations, where varying the angle can emphasise key points and maintain viewer attention.
Teleprompter: For scripted presentations, a teleprompter can be invaluable. It allows the speaker to maintain eye contact with the camera while delivering their message seamlessly. This is how all those politicians and news presenters look straight at their audience while delivering their address. You don’t have to memorise your script, ain’t nobody got time for that!
Lighting: For the simplest lighting setup, use a single softbox or ring light placed at a 45-degree angle from your subject, slightly above eye level. This provides even, flattering light with minimal shadows, making it easy to achieve a professional look without complicated gear. If you are willing to splurge a little, the ideal way is to use a three-point lighting setup: key light, fill light, and backlight. The key light should be the brightest and positioned at a 45-degree angle to the subject. The fill light softens shadows and contrast, and the backlight helps separate the subject from the background.
Sound: Invest in a good quality lapel mic or shotgun mic. Ensure minimal background noise and test the sound levels before recording. Capturing proper quality sound is really important for video production.
Background: For a one-person video frame, choose a background that is clean and uncluttered, so that it doesn’t distract from the subject, which is the person being filmed. A neutral wall, branded backdrop, or a tidy, well-lit office environment works well, adding professionalism while keeping the focus on the speaker. Try to keep a distance between your subject and the background, so avoid very tight spaces to set-up your frame if possible. The more space you give between the background and your subject, the better separation you have in-frame, and the more professional your video will look.
2. Podcast Style Interview Setup
Lighting for Multiple People: Lighting for interviews with two or more people requires careful planning. Use at least a key light for each subject, ensuring both are evenly lit. A softbox can help to diffuse the light, reducing harsh shadows. If you are planning to have multiple guests over for a podcast session and the space is getting cramped with light stands for everyone’s key lights, then it’s time to look into an overhead lighting solution. This is how TV sitcoms achieve an evenly spread light throughout a whole room, where all the actors are able to move around freely. For overhead lighting solutions, consider using soft, diffused lights like a ceiling-mounted softbox or LED panel. This type of lighting will light the whole space without casting harsh shadows, providing a natural and professional look for your video or podcast recordings.
Camera Setup: A two-camera setup works well here—one wide shot capturing both participants and individual close-up shots for each person. This allows flexibility in editing, creating a more engaging final product. A three-camera setup is ideal though, because it allows you to capture close-ups of both the interviewer and the interviewee. In the case of multiple guests, your camera operator can handle the guest close-up camera to adjust according to who is speaking.
Sound: Use separate microphones for each participant to capture clear and distinct audio. Condenser mics or lavalier mics are great choices. Position the mics to minimise noise and ensure clarity. Capturing clean, crisp audio from every speaker is very important.
3. The Importance of Good Sound
Just in case you haven’t picked up on this yet, capturing good sound is crucial in video production. Poor sound quality can detract from even the best visuals. You can get away with a badly lit video, but if the sound is bad, your video is guaranteed to distract viewers and diminish the overall professionalism of the video content. Good audio is essential, so if you are making just one small investment toward better video, then buy microphones. This will instantly elevate your video content, making it feel more professional. Always monitor audio levels during recording, use windshields for outdoor shoots, and consider using soundproofing techniques in your studio to reduce echo and background noise. Nowadays, companies like Rode and DJI offer great quality wireless microphones for video which are inexpensive and very easy to use. These mics can be used with video cameras and also with smartphones, so really there is no excuse to make videos with poor sound anymore. If you have read this far, open a new tab on your browser and go buy a microphone, then come back to continue reading. (insert affiliate links here haha!)
4. Budget Lighting Setups
You don’t need expensive lighting gear to achieve great results. LED panels, softboxes, and ring lights are affordable and versatile. For even more budget-friendly options, consider using natural light from windows, supplemented by reflectors and/or diffusers to control shadows. Experiment with different setups to find what works best for your space and needs.
5. Equipment Kit Suggestions
Here’s a basic kit recommendation for a starter studio:
Cameras: If you have good sound, you can get away with filming on your smartphone. Some of them actually shoot quality video if you use them right. Otherwise, entry level vlog cameras like DJI Pocket 3, Nikon Z30 or Sony ZV-1 mkII are a good starting point.
Microphones: Rode VideoMic Go II for on camera sound, Wireless Mics from Rode or DJI are great value for money at the moment.
Lighting: Check the budget light offerings from Godox, GVM or Aputure. Buy lights that come with a diffuser, like a softbox. Don’t forget your light stands.
Teleprompter: Parrot Teleprompter Kit or similar offers from Amazon. There’s a paid app called PromptStartPro, which listens to the speaker and allows the text to move accordingly, following their speed and pauses, it’s amazing.
Tripods: Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod or similar sturdy options, better be safe than drop your expensive new camera and break it.
Accessories: Extra batteries, SD cards, and possibly a decent audio interface if recording multiple mics.
Conclusion
And there you have it – your in-house studio is now ready to turn Steve from HR into the next big video sensation. With just a few smart investments and some strategic setups, you’ll be capturing high-quality footage that would make even a Hollywood director nod in approval. And remember, we’re always here to help you, not only with filming the complex shoots, but also with editing your footage, helping you in setting up your in-house studio and showing your team how to use them right. So, whether it’s filming or fine-tuning, we’ve got you covered. Happy filming!