So You’re Planning a Panel Discussion...
- Raised Media Co.
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
You’ve got a panel discussion in the works. Maybe it’s for a music conference, a fashion event, a podcast taping, or a nonprofit talk. Whatever the room looks like, your job doesn’t stop with setting up chairs. From lighting and set design to camera work and post-production, there are real ways to make it dynamic—then stretch that content across platforms long after the mics are off.
Because you can have a stacked lineup, a packed room, a great moderator. But if the video looks like a static security cam feed, nobody’s watching past the first minute.
And panels? They deserve better. Especially when they’re saying something worth hearing.
We just wrapped filming a panel with six speakers. And instead of locking off the cameras and calling it a day, we moved with the conversation. We captured reactions. We caught the crowd leaning in.
So how do you do that for your own panel? Let’s break it down.
First, Set the Scene—But Make It Work for Camera Too
Panels are usually built for the room. But if you want content that works after the fact, you’ve got to build it for the lens too.
Design a layered set No more folding chairs in front of a step-and-repeat. Give it some depth. A couch, some plants, branded signage, even soft uplighting—small moves make the footage feel intentional.
Light it like a production, not a stage The human eye forgives bad lighting. The camera doesn’t. Use soft key lighting to separate speakers from the background and avoid that harsh overhead glare. Warm tones, even spread. Make it feel lived-in.
Mic the panel like a podcast We’ve all heard that hollow, one-mic-for-everyone sound. Don't do that. Lav mics or quality desk mics, one per speaker. You want that clean, crisp audio that can stand on its own in a highlight reel.
Your panel isn’t just an in-person event. It’s a content shoot. Treat it like one.
Now Let’s Talk Cameras—Because Movement Matters
You don’t need a jib. You don’t need a five-person crew. But you do need more than one angle.
At least two cameras One wide, one tight. That’s the baseline. Add a third if you want to get creative with audience reactions or side angles that show dynamics between speakers.
Move with the conversation For our recent panel shoot, we shot handheld on a third cam. We tracked who was talking, caught real-time reactions, and gave the edit some rhythm. That movement? It added life.
Shoot for the cut Don’t just let it roll. Get what your editor needs. Isolate speakers. Capture transitions. If someone laughs in the crowd, grab it. You’ll need those beats later.
Static footage makes panels feel flat. Movement brings the room back to life.
Don’t Sleep on Post-Panel Content. That’s Where the Real Reach Happens.
You’re sitting on a goldmine after the panel ends. Don’t waste it.
Clip the highlights Find the best 15–60 second soundbites. Think quote-worthy lines, mic drop moments, or reactions that tell the story in under a minute. These are your TikTok hooks, your Instagram Reels, your snackable LinkedIn content.
Reframe for vertical Cut it down the middle, bring the speaker to center frame, add burned-in captions. Now your horizontal video is ready for phone-first platforms. Yes, it takes time. And yes, it’s worth it.
Use motion graphics to hold attention Subtle name cards, clean transitions, animated pull quotes—none of it should distract, but all of it should help the viewer stay locked in.
Feed your marketing team These clips aren’t just for social. Drop them into newsletters. Add them to campaign landing pages. Use them as proof of thought leadership. If you don’t build in a post-panel strategy, you’re leaving value on the floor.
A well-shot panel can feed your content calendar for weeks. Don’t waste it.
Who’s This Actually For?
Anyone trying to turn a live conversation into something bigger.
We’re talking:
Conference producers
Music and fashion creatives
Brands launching campaigns
Founders building community
Podcasters going live
Nonprofits showing real impact
If you’ve got voices in a room and a message that matters, don’t let the camera flatten it.
Raised Media Co. is a New York-based commercial photography and video production agency. We specialize in capturing panel discussions with energy, intention, and real replay value. Whether you're producing your first panel or your fiftieth, we'll make it something people actually want to watch.
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