Interview setup, podcast or walk & talk: Which video format suits your business?
- Michael Wenzel
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Professional interviews and podcasts are no longer just for large media companies. Today, businesses, freelancers, coaches, artists, and personal brands use this format to gain visibility, build trust, and authentically showcase their expertise.
However, not every interview requires the same setup.
Sometimes a camera and a good microphone are enough. Sometimes a two-camera setup makes sense. And sometimes the best results are achieved when the interviewees are moving, walking, or filmed in a real work situation.
So the big question is not just: “We’re doing an interview — which camera do we use?”
But rather: "What should the video evoke in the viewer?"
This is precisely what determines the most suitable interview or podcast setup.
Why Interviews Are So Powerful for Your Business
A professional interview is more than just a conversation in front of a camera. It's an opportunity to showcase personality, experience, and attitude.
This works extremely well, especially in a business context, because people not only want to know what you offer , but also who you are .
A good interview can:
Building trust
Demonstrate expertise
Explaining complex topics simply
Make your personality visible
Answering customer questions
Make your company more approachable
Provide content for website, social media and LinkedIn
The effect is particularly powerful when the setup matches the content. A calm expert interview requires a different visual language than a dynamic conversation while walking. A podcast setup has a different impact than a classic corporate video interview.
Let's look at the most important scenarios.
1. The classic one-person interview setup
The one-person interview is one of the most frequently used setups for business videos, personal branding, image films and expert content.
In this format, a person sits or stands in front of the camera and answers questions. The questions can be asked by an interviewer who is not visible on camera. Alternatively, the person can speak directly to the camera—similar to a statement or a personal video for a website.
When is this interview setup useful?
This format is perfect if you want to present your expertise, your story or your offer clearly and in a high-quality manner.
Typical areas of application:
Website video
About Me Video
Personal Branding
Expert statement
Company presentation
Customer information
Recruiting video
short social media clips
The major advantage: The setup is focused, high-quality, and very controlled. Lighting, sound, background, and composition can be precisely arranged. This creates a professional look that inspires confidence.
What equipment is needed?
For a high-quality one-person interview, a very solid setup is often sufficient:
Camera setup: One camera is possible, but two cameras are usually better. With two cameras, you can switch between medium shots and close-ups. This makes the editing more dynamic and helps to cleanly cut through pauses or flubs.
Audio: A directional microphone positioned above or to the side is ideal because it sounds natural and doesn't need to be visible. Alternatively, a lavalier microphone can be used as a backup or for added security.
Lighting: Usually, a soft main light is used, supplemented by a fill light or a small background light. This gives the image depth and prevents it from appearing flat.
A one-on-one interview is ideal if you want to appear professional, calm, and trustworthy. It's particularly suitable for people who want to showcase their personality without the video seeming too promotional.
We use this setup particularly often for personal branding, business websites and expert videos.
2. The two-person interview setup: conversation instead of monologue
In a two-person interview, two people sit or stand in conversation with each other. This could be a moderator with a guest, two managing directors, a coach with a client, or two experts who are jointly examining a topic.
This setup feels more natural and dialogic than a single statement.
When is this interview setup useful?
A two-person interview is always suitable when a topic becomes more vivid through exchange.
Typical areas of application:
Expert talk
Customer interview
Founder interview
Employee interview
Podcast with video
LinkedIn content
Recruiting content
Case study or customer success story
The advantage: Conversations often seem more authentic than prepared statements. People react to each other, genuine moments arise, along with small laughs, questions, and a natural dynamic.
What equipment is needed?
The setup becomes a bit more demanding here.
Camera setup: One camera can work if both people are in the frame at the same time. However, it becomes more professional with two or three cameras.
A typical setup would be:
Camera 1: Wide or medium shot of both people
Camera 2: Close-up of Person A
Camera 3: Close-up of Person B
Using three cameras makes the editing look much more professional later on, because it allows you to show real conversation dynamics.
Audio: Each person should be recorded separately. Lavalier or shotgun microphones are suitable for this. A setup with two shotgun microphones, each precisely aimed at the speaker, produces particularly high-quality results. Alternatively, each person can wear a lapel microphone.
It is important that both voices can be controlled separately. This allows for a clean mix of the sound later.
Lighting: When photographing two people, the lighting must be positioned so that both look good. Often, a larger or two-part lighting setup is needed: a soft main light, possibly a second light for the other side, and small accent lights in the background.
A two-person interview is ideal if your topic is strengthened through dialogue. It comes across less like advertising and more like a genuine conversation.
This is particularly suitable for companies that want to demonstrate competence, team spirit or customer focus.
3. The interview in motion: Walk & Talk
The so-called walk-and-talk interview is a dynamic format. The person or interviewees move around a room, across company premises, through an office, a practice, a studio, or outdoors in a suitable environment.
This format appears more modern, lively, and less staged.
When is this interview setup useful?
An interview conducted while moving is particularly suitable when the environment plays a role.
For example:
Company tour
Practice or studio tour
Behind-the-Scenes
Production environment
Event support
Personal branding with movement
dynamic social media videos
Recruiting content
Especially for people who seem a bit stiff in front of the camera, movement can help. You're less "stuck" and can speak more naturally.
What equipment is needed?
This setup is more technically demanding because image, sound and light need to function more flexibly.
Camera setup: This usually involves working with a moving camera, for example on a gimbal or with a stabilized handheld camera. This ensures smooth and professional movements.
A second camera can additionally capture details, reactions, or the surroundings.
Audio: For recording movement, lavalier microphones are usually the best choice. A directional microphone on a boom pole is more difficult to use while walking because distance, movement, and ambient noise vary more.
If there are two people, both should be equipped with their own lavalier microphones.
Lighting: Walk & Talk sessions often utilize existing light sources, supplemented by mobile LED lights or well-planned positions. It's important to check beforehand where the light falls well and where distracting shadows occur.
An interview with moving images is perfect if you want your video to appear lively, modern, and approachable. It shows not only you, but also your surroundings.
This is particularly exciting for companies, practices, studios, craft businesses, artists, coaches or anyone who wants to show where and how they work .
4. The podcast setup: A conversation with a studio feel
A podcast setup is a very popular format, especially for longer conversations, expert talks, and content series.
The participants usually sit at a table or in a lounge setting. Visible microphones can be part of the look. The setup can intentionally resemble a podcast.
When is this interview setup useful?
A podcast setup is particularly suitable if content is to be produced regularly.
For example:
Expert podcast
Video podcast for YouTube
LinkedIn Talk
Business conversation
Interview series
Coaching or consulting topics
Industry Talk
internal corporate communication
The advantage: The format has a serial feel. You can create a lot of content from it: long YouTube versions, short reels, LinkedIn clips, audio podcasts, quotes, blog articles, and social media posts.
What equipment is needed?
Camera setup: For a simple video podcast, one camera may suffice. For a more professional approach, two or three cameras are recommended.
Camera 1: both people together
Camera 2: Person A
Camera 3: Person B
With three cameras, the podcast immediately appears higher quality and more dynamic.
Audio: Podcast microphones or directional microphones can be used here.
Podcast microphones, like dynamic broadcast microphones, are visible and define the look. They work well in controlled environments and give the video the classic podcast feel.
Directional microphones are less conspicuous and appear more cinematic because there are no large microphones in the picture.
Which solution is better depends on the desired look:
Visible microphones = classic podcast look
Invisible microphones = high-quality interview/film look
Lighting: When setting up a podcast, the lighting can be more atmospheric. In addition to soft main lighting, background lights, practical light sources, or accent lights are useful. This creates a warm, high-quality studio look.
A podcast setup is ideal if you want to regularly demonstrate your expertise and extract as much content as possible from a single recording.
This format is particularly exciting for entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, agencies and experts who want to become visible in the long term.
5. The interview as part of a promotional video
Not every interview stands alone. Often it's part of a larger film: a corporate video, a personal branding video, or a company portrait.
In this case, the interview is combined with so-called B-roll footage. These are supplementary scenes that show you at work, details of your surroundings, customer situations, products, rooms, or emotional moments.
When is this setup useful?
This format is ideal if you want to not only talk, but also show what you do.
Typical areas of application:
Promotional video
Personal branding film
Corporate video
Website header video
Recruiting video
Social media campaign
Brand story
The interview delivers the message. The additional images provide atmosphere, context, and emotion.
What equipment is needed?
Camera setup: The interview is usually recorded with one or two cameras. Additionally, B-roll scenes are filmed before or after the interview.
Audio: Clean audio is recorded for the interview. For B-roll, original sound is often unnecessary, or only ambient sounds are needed.
Lighting: The interview will be carefully lit. B-roll scenes can appear more natural, but should still be professionally planned.
This setup is particularly effective if you want your video to be high-quality, emotional, and versatile. It combines personality with a visual story.
For many companies and self-employed individuals, this is the best solution if the video is intended to have a long-term impact on the website.
How many cameras are recommended?
The number of cameras depends heavily on the format.
A camera
One camera is sufficient for simple statements, short expert videos, or social media clips. The disadvantage: editing is less flexible.
Two cameras
Two cameras are often the sweet spot. You can switch between a wider shot and a close-up. This looks more professional and helps enormously in editing.
Three cameras
Three cameras are ideal for conversations between two people or professional podcast setups. You get a wide shot and a close-up of each person. It looks like a real talk show production.
Multiple cameras
Multiple cameras are worthwhile for larger productions, events, panels, multiple guests, or when a lot of dynamics needs to be captured.
Directional microphone, lavalier microphone or podcast microphone?
Audio is at least as important as video in interviews. A beautiful picture is of little use if the audio is unclear or echoey.
Directional microphone
A directional microphone is very well suited for high-quality interviews. It can be positioned outside the frame and sounds natural. This is often the best solution, especially for interviews conducted while seated.
Lavalier microphone
A lavalier microphone is small, discreet, and attaches to clothing. It is particularly suitable for movement, walk-and-talk situations, events, or situations where a microphone boom should not be visible.
Podcast microphone
A podcast microphone is deliberately visible. It's part of the overall look and immediately conveys: a conversation, a talk, or a podcast is taking place here.
It's not better or worse — it's simply a different effect.
Lighting: The difference between "filmed" and professionally produced
Lighting is one of the most important factors for a professional look.
Good interview lighting ensures that faces appear natural, high-quality, and approachable. At the same time, it can add depth to the background, preventing the image from looking flat.
Depending on the setup, you will need:
soft main light
Brightening
Backlight
Accent light
mobile LED lights
controlled room lighting
Especially in business interviews, lighting is crucial. It not only ensures technical quality but also creates an impression: professional, approachable, high-quality, or dynamic.
Which interview setup suits your topic?
The most important question is: What do you want to achieve?
Do you want to build trust?
Then a classic one-person interview is ideal. Perfect for websites, about me pages, and personal branding.
Do you want to demonstrate your expertise in the conversation?
Then a two-person interview or a podcast setup would be suitable.
Do you want to create dynamism and closeness?
Then a walk-and-talk interview is interesting.
Do you want to present your company in a high-quality way?
Then an interview combined with B-roll and image film elements is particularly effective.
Do you want to produce content regularly?
Then a podcast or series setup is worthwhile, from which many short clips can be created.
Conclusion: The best setup is the one that fits your message.
A professional interview is not a product of chance. Camera, sound, lighting, framing and surroundings should all be appropriate for the message.
Sometimes a minimalist single-camera setup is just right. Sometimes you need two or three cameras, multiple microphones, and a more elaborate lighting concept.
The key is not to use as much technology as possible. The key is that the technology supports your message.
Because in the end, it's not just about looking good . It's about becoming visible, building trust, and clearly positioning your personality or brand.
Whether it's a classic interview, podcast, walk & talk or image film: the right setup makes the difference between a simple video and professional business content that really works.
Do you want to produce a professional interview, a video podcast, or a personal branding video?
Then we will work together to develop the right setup for your topic — from camera and sound to lighting and the final video production for website, LinkedIn, YouTube or social media.
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