An interview recorded across the study desk, with microphone and camera in place

The Studio — Recording

Recording Interviews, Conversations and Live Streams

At the study desk or on the fireplace-room sofa, we compose a frame in which words carry

Queen's Butler — Definition

About Recording Interviews, Conversations and Live Streams

Interview, conversation and live-stream recording is the use of the Queen's Butler Studio in Odaiba to capture a speaker's words and expressions on video or audio. Choose your backdrop from the study or the fireplace room, for up to six people.

A place for words

Choose your backdrop from the study or the fireplace room to suit what is said

A recording backdrop does more than dress the frame; it supports the speaker's presence and the listener's attention. For an interview on work, creative practice or books, the study. For a conversation that unhurriedly explores a relationship or shared memories, the fireplace room. Choose the backdrop from the substance of the words, and the furnishings lend depth without stealing the story.

The study holds a leather-topped twin-pedestal desk, a captain's chair, a typewriter, a globe, bookshelves and a suit of Western knight's armour. A one-to-one across the desk, a solo interview seated at an angle to it, or a standing shot with the armour behind: the same room reads differently with each placement of person and camera.

The fireplace room holds a mantelpiece, a wine-red Rococo sofa, a six-light chandelier and a table on which roses may be placed. Seated side by side, a conversation's eye lines connect naturally; facing one another, the listener's nods also fall within the frame. The butler asks before touching chairs or small objects, and prepares the room while protecting the furnishings.

See the study and armour setting

A visitor gathering thoughts at the study desk

Solo interviews and two-person conversations call for different seating and spaceFraming

Background comparison

Comparing backdrop and composition by the manner of speaking

The dining room: yew table and chairs beneath a chandelier

Form of recording	Suited room	Seating and composition	To decide in advance
Solo interview	Study	Seated at an angle to the desk, with bookshelves or lamp behind	Where the subject looks, and where the interviewer sits
Two-person conversation	Fireplace room	Side by side on the sofa, with the fireplace and roses behind	The angle at which they face each other, and a frame that holds both
Dialogue with a host	Study or fireplace room	Keeping distance between speaker and listener	Whether the host appears in frame or is voice only
Audio-led recording	Study	A clear desktop with room for notes to hand	Microphone placement and the sound of handling paper
Live stream	Study or fireplace room	Equipment and the producer's seat outside the frame	Wi-Fi use, power required, streaming method
Group discussion	Fireplace room or dining room	Up to six, arranged so every face is visible	Who hosts, and the order of speaking

The space required varies with the number of cameras, lenses and audio equipment. Please tell us your equipment and the framing you have in mind before reserving.

Three backgrounds

Consider the mood of the words against three backdrops

The leather-topped desk with brass lamp and typewriter

Study desk

A poised question-and-answer across the desk

Across the leather-topped desk, with the brass lamp and bookshelves behind. Well suited to recordings with papers or books to hand. The butler handles the desk objects and leaves the speaker the space they need.

Fireplace

A close conversation on the sofa

Side by side on the wine-red sofa, you can speak while reading each other's expressions. The fireplace and roses suit anniversaries and retrospectives. Seating distance and camera angle are confirmed before recording.

Dining

A long table that holds several voices

The yew table in the dining room is a candidate for composing a discussion of up to six into a single frame. We first settle the host's position, the order of speaking and an angle that shows every face.

Sound is discussed in terms of content and equipment, then checked on siteSound

The fireplace and Rococo sofa in the fireplace room

Recording check

Points to confirm before reserving for video, audio and streaming

Content	Solo interview, conversation, audio recording, live stream and so on
People	Up to six in total, including speakers, host and crew
Cameras	Number, whether tripods are used, and the framing you have in mind
Audio	Microphones and recorders you will bring; the voices and sounds you wish to capture
Lighting	Whether you bring lighting. The Manor has photographic lighting equipment
Power	The equipment in use and the power it requires

What the Manor provides

Backdrops within the Manor: the study, the fireplace room, the dining room
Use by up to six people
One butler in attendance from the operating body, the Japan Butler Association
Reception, seating, tea and the handling of furnishings by the butler
Photographic lighting equipment

What you bring

Equipment needed for recording: cameras, tripods, microphones, recorders
Recording with the Manor left unattended
Live streams not tested on the devices to be used
Loud sound, naked flames or use after 9 pm without prior consultation
The provision of meals

Butler's timing

The butler never interrupts, and brings tea only on the signal for a pause

The butler's manner during recording is to stay within reach when needed while never breaking the speaker's concentration. At Queen's Butler, on arrival we take your coats and belongings and show the speakers to their seats. Once recording begins, the butler withdraws to the agreed position and waits for the producer's signal.

You may choose in advance when tea is brought: at a break, at a change of topic, or after recording. To keep the sound of pots and porcelain out of the recording, the butler confirms that recording has stopped before proceeding. Silver and porcelain are handled by the butler, along a path that avoids the equipment around the desk and sofa.

We have both male and female butlers. If you wish the butler to appear in frame, please discuss the purpose and setting in advance. Ordinarily the butler keeps a distance so the speaker remains the focus, watching quietly over the seating and the level of the drinks.

See The Studio with a butler

A male butler offering tea with white-gloved hands

From enquiry to pack-down, sound and framing are checked in turnRecording flow

Flow

Five steps from enquiry to pack-down

A butler standing before the sofa in the fireplace room

Tell us the form of recording

Let us know the form, whether solo interview, conversation, audio recording or live stream, and the mood of what will be said.

Tell us the date, time and numbers

We ask your preferred date and time, and the total number, up to six, including speakers, host and crew.

Tell us the equipment you bring

Let us know the type and number of cameras, tripods, microphones, recorders and lights, and the power required.

Choose the backdrop and seating

Choose the backdrop from the study, fireplace room or dining room, and consider the seating: solo, side by side or facing.

Check picture and sound on the day

Once the equipment is set, we confirm framing, light, how voices carry, where the butler waits and when tea is brought.

QHow many people may take part?

Up to six in total, including speakers, host and crew. If you tell us the roles and numbers when reserving, we can plan the seating and the path for equipment.

QWhich is better, the study or the fireplace room?

Talk that sits well with desks and books suits the study; a conversation that draws two people close suits the fireplace room. Tell us the content and the framing you have in mind, and the butler will show you the Manor.

QCan I borrow cameras or microphones?

Please bring your own cameras, tripods, microphones and recorders. Tell us the type and number in advance, and discuss how you would use the Manor's lighting and power. Where cables run and where equipment may be set down are confirmed on the day.

QCan I use Wi-Fi for a live stream?

Wi-Fi is available. As conditions vary with the streaming method and the devices used, please test picture and sound with your actual equipment before going live.

QCan I have tea during recording?

The butler will bring tea. To keep sound out of the recording, the butler approaches only on the producer's signal, at a pause or a change of topic. Please also tell us before recording whether cups should appear in frame.

QMay I bring food and drink?

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink. We do not provide meals, so please bring what you need. The butler shows you where to set items down away from equipment and furnishings, and asks which are for breaks and which appear on screen.

About using The Studio

The manor is never let unattended. A butler is present for every booking, and keys are not handed over
You are welcome to bring your own food and drink. We do not provide meals
Please use the antique furnishings under the butler's guidance. The armour, hall clock, porcelain and silver are handled by the butler
Please consult us in advance about loud sound or the use of naked flames
Prices shown include tax

About bringing food and drink

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink

A full view of the Manor with its antique furnishings

Film, Drama and Music Video Location

A use that moves through several rooms, shooting scene by scene through the day.

The fireplace room with its 120-inch screen

120-inch Screen and Audio

See the facilities you may use to review recorded footage.

Porcelain and silver laid flat for photography at the Manor

Lighting, Equipment, Power and Wi-Fi

Before deciding what to bring, see the lighting and facilities at the Manor.

Reservation

Tell the butler what will be said and the form of recording

We ask your date and time, numbers up to six, preferred backdrop, and camera, audio and streaming equipment, then advise on seating and the flow of the day.

Enquire about recording See all uses