Down the lens interviews

The direct-to-camera interview style—where contributors speak straight down the lens—is a powerful and engaging documentary technique. It creates an immediate connection with the viewer and is often used to deliver emotional, authentic storytelling.

Traditionally, this effect is achieved using a two-way mirror setup (like the EyeDirect or Interrotron), allowing the subject to maintain eye contact with the interviewer while also appearing to speak directly to the audience. However, in my experience, these systems are bulky, expensive, and time-consuming to set up.

That’s why I developed the VoxBox Pro—a lightweight, streamlined alternative that achieves the same powerful results with far less hassle. It sets up in under two minutes and is available to hire alongside my main camera kit.

Below are examples from interviews I’ve shot using the VoxBox Pro. Each one demonstrates how this tool helps contributors relax and deliver honest, compelling performances straight down the lens.

(See the Mini Bio page for more details on the VoxBox Pro.)