Key Takeaways
- A panel of 4 requires 4 independent microphone channels — sharing a single roving handheld is audibly inadequate and visually distracting
- The panel table configuration (straight line vs. curved vs. angled) determines both the sight lines from the audience and the panellist-to-panellist interaction quality
- IMAG for a panel discussion requires at least two cameras — one wide shot of the full panel and one closer shot that can frame individual speakers
- The moderator's position (seated at the panel table or standing separate) has significant implications for both sight lines and programme dynamics
- Panel table height (750mm seated) and stage height must be coordinated — a panel on a 600mm stage with 750mm tables produces chairs at eye level with the standing moderator
The microphone specification for panels
A panel of 5 (4 panellists and 1 moderator) requires 5 independent microphone channels on the audio console, each with its own gain structure and processing. The microphone types: boundary microphones on the panel table surface (least intrusive, adequate for quiet environments), gooseneck condenser microphones (more directional, better noise rejection, more visible), or wireless lapel microphones clipped to each panellist's jacket (most flexible for movement, invisible from the audience, requires RF frequency management for 5 simultaneous wireless systems). The choice depends on the venue's ambient noise floor and the panel's technical budget. A shared handheld is not an option for a produced corporate panel discussion.
Table configuration choices
Three configurations: Straight line: The standard 5-person panel at a straight table, all facing the audience. Weakness: panellists at the ends cannot make eye contact with panellists at the opposite end without turning significantly, which reads as exclusion. Curved: A gentle arc that allows all panellists to face roughly the same direction while maintaining sight lines between each other. More expensive to fabricate, more visually interesting on stage. Angled: Each panellist's position slightly angled toward the centre, allowing natural eye contact across the table while maintaining an audience-facing orientation. This can be achieved with standard table furniture angled 15–20 degrees, without custom fabrication.