On Set: Filming a Documentary Interview with Coach Jackie Sherrill

Some of the most memorable stories in sports don’t come from packed stadiums — they come from quiet conversations in unexpected places.

Recently, I had the privilege of serving as Director of Photography on a documentary interview featuring former Texas A&M head football coach Jackie Sherrill, filmed for an upcoming documentary project. Rather than a studio or stadium, the production took place in a small, locally loved diner in Wimberley, Texas — a setting that added warmth, character, and authenticity to Coach Sherrill’s story.

For this shoot, we had the rare opportunity to take over the entire restaurant for the day. With the doors closed to the public, we were able to transform the space into a temporary film set, carefully designing every visual element while preserving the intimate, lived-in feel of the location.

A Large-Scale Production in a Small-Town Space

This was not a simple sit-down interview. The production brought in an extensive crew and a full arsenal of professional gear to ensure a documentary-quality result.

On camera, we ran a four-camera setup using Sony FX9s, allowing the filmmakers to capture multiple angles simultaneously while keeping the look consistent and cinematic throughout the conversation.

Behind the scenes, the team consisted of:

• Director of Photography (DP) — overseeing the visual design, lighting, and overall image quality

• Two Camera Operators — managing framing, movement, and coverage across the four-camera setup

• Audio Operator — capturing clean, broadcast-ready sound for the full-length interview

• Grip — handling lighting, rigging, and all on-set support to keep the production running smoothly

To support the lighting package, a grip truck was brought in to haul the necessary equipment into the diner. This allowed us to build a controlled lighting environment inside a space that was never meant to be a film set — no small feat in a functioning restaurant.

The Challenge of Time and Changing Light

One of the biggest challenges of the day was something every cinematographer knows well: fighting the sun.

The interview itself ran six hours, and our total time on set exceeded 12 hours, not including the three-hour round trip drive between Houston and Wimberley. As daylight shifted throughout the afternoon and into the evening, we had to constantly adjust lighting to maintain a consistent look inside the diner.

Windows that started as soft natural sources slowly turned into mixed, unpredictable light as the sun set. The key was staying ahead of those changes — balancing artificial lighting with the natural environment so the interview felt seamless on screen, even though hours were passing in real time.

This kind of long-form documentary work requires patience, focus, and adaptability. There’s no “reset” button — you build a look that has to last all day.

Massive Footage, Meticulous Workflow

By the end of the shoot, we had recorded over 1.5 terabytes of footage across all four cameras.

Data security was just as important as the visuals. Once wrap was called, all footage was double-backed up to ensure nothing was lost, then organized and handed off to a very satisfied client before we hit the road back to Houston.

It was a long day — but exactly the kind of project that showcases what professional production is really about: preparation, endurance, teamwork, and care for both the story and the material being captured.

Why This Matters for Documentary and Brand Storytelling

Projects like this demonstrate the power of thoughtful cinematography in documentary filmmaking.

Great interviews aren’t just about what’s said — they’re about how the audience feels while listening. Lighting, composition, and camera movement shape the emotional tone of the story as much as the words themselves.

Whether it’s a legendary coach, a business leader, or a brand telling its story, the right production approach elevates the conversation from “talking heads” to compelling visual storytelling.

I’m honored to have helped bring Coach Sherrill’s story to life on camera, and I’m excited to see how the finished documentary comes together.

If your project needs cinematic, reliable, long-form interview coverage — let’s talk.

— Kirby Clarke Director of Photography Clarke Productions