Field Guide

Bright window, dark face.

1. 1.Turn the subject to face the window, or move the camera so the window is to the side.
2. 2.Add your LED as key light on the face.
3. 3.Expose for the face; let the window go bright, or shoot HLG/log to hold it.

Face half blue, half orange.

1. 1.Turn off the lights that don't match, or close the blinds.
2. 2.Set your LED to the dominant source (5600K daylight / 3200K tungsten).
3. 3.Set white balance manually to that source.

Dark bands roll through the image under LEDs or fluorescents.

1. 1.In Portugal (50 Hz) use 1/50 or 1/100 shutter.
2. 2.Shoot at 25 or 50 fps.
3. 3.Use Sony's Variable Shutter / anti-flicker to fine-tune.

Squinting, hard shadows under the eyes.

1. 1.Move to open shade.
2. 2.Put the sun behind the subject and bounce light back with a reflector.
3. 3.Use the reflector's diffuser over the subject.

Flat image, shadow on the wall, no depth.

1. 1.Pull the subject 1.5–2 m forward.
2. 2.Shoot diagonally across the room for a deeper background.
3. 3.Add a practical lamp behind them.

Voice sounds hollow and distant.

1. 1.Use a lav, never the on-camera mic.
2. 2.Add soft things: rugs, curtains, blankets off camera.
3. 3.Choose a smaller, furnished room.

Constant hiss from AC, fridge or traffic.

1. 1.Ask to switch off AC/fridges during takes (put your car keys in the fridge so you remember!).
2. 2.Enable the low-cut filter (80–100 Hz).
3. 3.Record room tone to clean it in post.

Scratching sounds when the subject moves.

1. 1.Tape the cable in a loop so it can't pull on the capsule.
2. 2.Use a lav concealer or move it outside the clothing.
3. 3.Avoid synthetic fabrics and necklaces near the mic.

Rumbling, popping audio.

1. 1.Use furry windscreens on every mic.
2. 2.Shield the subject with a wall or car.
3. 3.Lav under clothing is naturally protected.

Last battery at 20%, hours left.

1. 1.Power the A7 V over USB-C PD from a power bank.
2. 2.Turn off stabilisation and lower screen brightness.
3. 3.Prioritise must-have shots; charge spares during breaks.

Can't record, or a card warning.

1. 1.Never format a card that isn't backed up twice.
2. 2.Swap the card, label the full one, keep it separate.
3. 3.Drop to a lower bitrate codec if you're truly out of space.

Temperature warning in the sun or long takes.

1. 1.Shade the camera; open the screen away from the body.
2. 2.Set Auto Power Off Temp. to High.
3. 3.Stop recording between moments.

Focus breathes in and out on faces.

1. 1.Use face/eye AF with a tracking area on the subject.
2. 2.Lower the AF transition speed and set subject shift sensitivity to Locked On.
3. 3.For static interviews, focus then switch to manual.

Stiff answers, looking at the lens.

1. 1.Chat for 5 minutes with the camera rolling before the real questions.
2. 2.Ask them to look at you, not the camera.
3. 3.Ask for stories ("tell me about a time…") rather than facts.

Half the day gone, half the shots left.

1. 1.Shoot only the ★ must-haves first.
2. 2.Combine setups: shoot several shots from one position.
3. 3.Tell the client early and agree what to drop.

A guest or staff member objects.

1. 1.Respect it immediately and apologise.
2. 2.Note who it is and avoid them in the edit.
3. 3.Get signed releases from featured people.