Cross-Shooting Exercise

This morning my group (group 5) and group 4, went into the TV Studio to learn about cross-shooting, which is basically shooting two people at roughly the same angle from opposite but corresponding positions (as shown in the image).
Initially i assumed that cross shooting would be fairly easy as it just seemed like positioning 3 different cameras at different angles in order to split up the shots. However once we had to position the cameras and create shot sizes, i realised that particular shots go with how the presenter/subject is sat. So for example, in a typical Alan Carr show, the camera would be positioned on Alan in a midshot, or a wider frame than the interviewee. This is based on the simple fact that it is the interviewee that we have more of an interest in, therefore want to see a tighter shot in order to feel some what closer to them.
I personally didn't operate the cameras in this particular exercise but that didn't affect the way i was learning how to position the camera as i was carefully watching how my peers were advised to position the shots.
During the second half of the workshop, we were required to make a script for a 3 minute interview that would eventually be rehearsed and recorded. As i have taken on the role as presenter, i was confident in writing my script as i have watched many interviews in the past, be it Alan Carr Chatty Man, The Jonathan Ross show, even American talk shows such as The Ellen Degeneres Show. Watching these shows gave me a clear idea of how a real interview is designed to flow and what kind of questions are asked. Therefore i was quick to jot down around 7 questions that i would soon ask Hayley, who was going to act as my interviewee.
It wasn't long before the mini interview was going to be shot and i felt a little nervous at first. However after a couple rehearsals, i tried to let go of my nerves and the interview flowed almost how i wanted, with just a couple improvised questions thrown in.
Even though i didn't have a go on the cameras this time, i experienced how cross-shooting works from a presenters' perspective and had a very clear idea in my head of how the interview was going to be shot, as as a group we went over the shots beforehand.
I now feel more comfortable taking on the role of a presenter and will hopefully be even more confident when it comes to the final assignment in a few weeks time.