Multicamera Video - Recording

General tips

• 👏 visually clap (slate) three times to assist in later synching audio and video

• get performers’ permission and you may need a synchronization license

• use tripods (holding the camera with your hand is too shaky)

• use only optical zoom (don’t use digital zoom); buy camera with 20x or more optical zoom

• never stop recording on any of the cameras so aligning camera footage is easy

• ⏱️hold a shot for at least 10 seconds

• don’t shoot like spraying a garden hose = zoom/pan only between shots

• develop understanding of: shutter speed vs. frame rate, ISO (“gain”), and aperture (f-stop)

  • exposuretool.com

Camera settings:

• format the SD card (erases all data) - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

• 24fps (frames per second) will look more film-like (motion blur)

  • set the Record Setting to 24p 50M - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

  • set File Format to XAVC S HD (this will record 1080p video rather than 4k for smaller file sizes that will be easier to edit) - explained here in the Sony a6400 manual

• all cameras really need to be set to the same white balance; custom white balance or use a preset (such as “tungsten”) - explained here in the Sony a6000 manual

External Audio Recorder Settings:

• format the SD card (erases all data)

• uncompressed/lossless file type (AIFF, WAV)

• sample rate = 48kHz (to match the camera's sample rate)

• bit depth = 24-bit

• use ORTF stereo microphone setup

• Tips for the Zoom Fn8 (manual)

  • format the SD card (manual page 177)

    • MENU > SD CARD > Format

  • set the SD card to record separate tracks (manual page 25)

    • MENU > REC > Rec to SD1 > Track1-8 (Mono/Stereo WAV)

  • set the track knobs to adjust trim (preamp) rather than fader (mixing a L/R mix) (manual page 73)

    • MENU > SYSTEM > Track Knob Option > Trim

  • setup Trim Link for stereo recording so both mics have the exact same level (manual page 97)

    • MENU > INPUT > Trim Link

  • save battery by disabling outputs (manual page 114)

Typical 3 camera setup:

• Cam1 = “Safety” = fixed, wide angle camera that gets everything (turn off autofocus)

• Cam2 = manned camera hunting for medium & close up shots of performer(s)

• Cam3 = manned camera hunting for medium & close up shots of performer(s) AND b-roll footage = timeless reaction shots (of the audience, for example)

Composition

• use rule of thirds (turn on grid)

  • use lead space = space in front of where subject is facing

• avoid placing your frame edge on one of the body’s joints

• avoid too much headroom (or person looks to be sinking)

• avoid too little headroom (or focus will be on the person’s chin and neck)

• use a variety of Shot types (hold a shot for at least 10 seconds)

  • extreme long shot (XLS) = establishing shot - context for shots to follow

  • long shot (LS) = person from head to feet

  • medium shot (MS) = person from about waist up

  • closeup shot (CU) = person’s neck and head

  • extreme closeup shot (XCU) = one detail of a person

  • cut in = closeup shot of an object (such as the face of a watch or an instrument key)

more shot types = https://www.instagram.com/p/B6DZWA9ChDB/?igshid=pbgpx0ctas8h