Performing a multi-camera shoot may seem like a good idea to save time and energy. If you use multiple cameras you can get more angles in less time. However, we’ve found out in our video production services that the more elements you add, the more complicated the process. Before going in for multiple cameras at a time, be sure that your crew is prepared for the increased responsibilities. Here are the top five tips for executing a multi-camera shoot.
For an example of a video using multiple cameras, check out our marketing video for Atrium Health and Senior Living.
Think about how much equipment is needed for a single camera shoot. You don’t just have the cameras, but you also have the tripods, dollies, audio, slates, lights, and other miscellaneous equipment. Now consider bringing on a second or third camera unit. That could mean double everything else. We are not trying to discourage anyone when it comes to his or her production choices. All we’re trying to point out is that production is very fragile when it comes to how time and resources are spent. So please be sure to delegate the proper equipment for the crew’s growing responsibilities when working on a multi-camera shoot.
Some crew members can handle a greater amount of equipment. But often enough they require more hands on deck to make sure that the production crew works as fast as it would if they were doing a single camera set up. So in order to compensate, it would be wise to pay for more able-bodied crew. Another option would be to take in young film students as interns for your project. The latter is always a great option for both finding new talent and increasing production value at the same time.
Directing is tough enough having to making sure every shot is performed properly. But while you are doing a two camera set up, that basically means doing two shots at once. Directors and their production crew need to prepare the set with all of the proper looks as you would for different shots. The Make-up department needs to cover both sides of the actor’s face instead of just one. And finally, the actors need to be prepared to perform for two different audience view-points.
On the subject of covering your bases, continuity is even more important in a two camera set up than a single set up. If you break continuity for one shot, that isn’t really a big deal; you can just cut it out or use it quickly so no one notices. But if you shoot an entire scene and then go for a reshoot, everything has to be exactly the same from all angles. If one angle is off, then you just wasted a whole scene with continuity breaks.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but actors need to be just as aware of the multiple cameras as the crew is. Unlike theater acting, Film actors focus their performance on one specific spot (the camera). It seems easy to get the proper side of their performance with one camera, but now that you have two cameras, the actor needs to perform in a way where both angles can get an equal share of the performance. This brings the actor back to the theater technique of broad performance so that everyone in the audience can see them. When it comes to directing these actors, the Director needs to choose whether or not to have a small or a large performance.
For further information on our previous projects (both single and multi-camera) please visit our work page.
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