10 commandments to create the perfect debate (Part 2)

Recording the debate or round table is something we highly recommend. But sometimes it can feel like a mountain, doesn’t it?

To prepare your recording setup, the first thing you need is to be clear about what you want to show and how you want to show it.

Will participants be standing or sitting? Will you use chairs or stools? Do you want a table in the center?

All these elements will influence the placement of the cameras and the lights (if needed).

At CMC, we recommend using at least 3 cameras, as this gives you a wide range of interesting shots. Remember that a wide shot should never be missing, as it helps maintain continuity and can save you from more than one awkward situation if something unwanted appears in the other cameras (for example, someone walking in the background).

What always works is the “opposite rule”: the camera on the right will film the participants on the left, and the camera on the left will film those on the right.

We love sketching ideas, and we believe a picture is worth a thousand words. So why not draw a layout with the elements that will appear on camera and the recording equipment placement? This way, you can show it to the technical team, the moderator, and even the participants. The more prepared they are, the more confident they will feel. It works for us.

When it comes to lighting, the most important thing is to create uniform illumination without flickering (watch out for this!), while also adding focused lighting to highlight details.

We are not big fans of ring lights, as they tend to create reflections on glasses that can be quite distracting and reduce depth.

If you are recording with mobile phones, which is very common nowadays, we recommend using a main light or Key light, which will properly define each participant’s face.

It should be placed in front but slightly to the side (around 45º), and slightly above eye level, angled downwards. This will be the strongest light in your setup. You can share one light for every two participants or use a large frontal panel.

We recommend:

• A large LED panel with diffuser
• LED softbox
• LED Fresnel with diffuser

Color temperature

• 5600K for a natural, TV-style look
•  3200K if you are recording in a warm environment (such as a hotel room)

You will also need a fill light to soften shadows. It should be placed on the opposite side of the Key light, with lower intensity.

We recommend:

• LED panel with diffuser
• Large softbox
• White reflector for a more natural look

To separate participants from the background, place a back light (also called hair light) behind them. This adds depth and highlights shoulders and hair.

We recommend:

• Small LED Fresnel
• Soft LED spot

Remember that all of this depends on your level of expertise and your budget. However, it can definitely turn a flat recording into something much more professional.

The last type of lighting we recommend is also the most important: background lighting. You don’t want a dark background, so adding this light will prevent the “floating faces in the dark” effect.

We recommend:

• Wash lights illuminating the background
• Soft-colored LEDs for atmosphere
• Indirect wall lighting

Remember to use diffusers so the skin looks better under soft light. Raise the light slightly or adjust the angle to avoid reflections on glasses and other surfaces.

All lights should have the same color temperature—consistency is key. Also, control shadows on the table by placing lights slightly higher to avoid harsh shadows.

For a round table like this, we want each participant to have their own microphone, capturing their voice clearly at all times. This is the most important part, as we want the information to be delivered perfectly. If the audio fails, the overall quality drops.

But what type of microphone works best?

We have great results with lavalier (lapel) microphones. They are a professional option widely used in television, conferences, and interviews.

Each participant wears a small microphone on the upper part of their body (usually on a jacket, shirt collar, or dress). These can be wireless or wired.

There are always mixed opinions about which option is better. Personally, we prefer wired microphones, as they help avoid unexpected issues. Many of these come with long cables that can be connected directly to the camera or pone and can be hidden easily. This also makes post-production easier, as the sound is already well balanced.

If lavalier microphones are not your choice, you can use tabletop microphones placed in front of each participant. The sound quality is very good, and you don’t need to attach anything to clothing, avoiding unwanted noise from fabric or accessories.

However, if you are looking for something more discreet, these are not the best option. Also, if the speaker moves a lot, the volume may decrease.

Finally, as true sound enthusiasts, we recommend always having a backup microphone. A boom microphone is designed for this purpose. It is directional and placed above the table.

It provides a more natural sound and remains invisible if placed out of frame. However, it may not work equally well for all voices, and it will capture more ambient noise. Still, if one of your main microphones fails, this will be your lifesaver.

Don’t forget:

• Check for echo if the room is large. If there is no audience, a smaller room is better.
• Use airplane mode to avoid interference with wireless systems.
• Clap at the beginning of the recording. Slate and… action!

You probably remember how, back in 2020, videoconferencing platforms became part of our daily routine. It was the new way to communicate with clients, family, and even to study.

Although it could sometimes feel overwhelming, it also allowed us to connect with people located miles away without leaving home.

Today, this is still an attractive option for creating online round tables with participants in different locations. There are platforms that allow you to host these events (even live) and customise the environment with your branding and visual identity.

However, it is important to ensure that each participant has their own space, that interruptions are minimised to avoid audio issues, and that everyone has a stable internet connection to prevent disruptions.

The sense of pride you will feel when your round table is edited and ready to publish is one of the best feelings. It is the result of many hours of preparation, planning, and editing.

So don’t just publish it and stop there. Promote it!

Make sure your database is aware of it, share it on social media, and distribute it through your main communication channels.

To get even more value from it, select the most relevant moments and reuse them:

• Choose clips under one minute and share them on social media
• Include key moments in your newsletter
• Feature them in your blog

If you’ve made it this far, it means you are genuinely interested in creating a high-quality debate. Thank you for reading our recommendations—we hope they are useful.

As you may have noticed, we truly enjoy recording days. Even though preparation can be stressful, when everything runs smoothly, it feels incredibly rewarding.

We would love to share that feeling with you. Why not create something together?

Do you have an idea in mind? A course with exclusive content that needs a distinctive touch?

Let’s brainstorm, build something great, and start preparing a debate that no one will want to miss.