# Multicam Video Recording (3+ Cameras)

#### **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
* :stopwatch:**hold a shot for at least 10 seconds**
* don’t shoot like spraying a garden hose = zoom/pan only *between* shots

#### **Editing Software Suggestions**

* [DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/) by BlackMagicDesign (free ) - [training for DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/training)
* Adobe Premiere ($$) - [video tutorials for Adobe Premiere](https://helpx.adobe.com/in/premiere-pro/tutorials.html)

## Recording the Concert

### **Camera settings**

* use a separate audio recorder from the camera (cameras have bad microphones)
  * uncompressed (AIFF, WAV) 48kHz sample rate for audio
* [frame rate](https://www.diyphotography.net/learn-choose-best-frame-rate-videos-just-10-minutes/) = 24fps gives the “film” look (high frame rates can create smooth slow motion)
* MP4 and MOV are easy to work with (AVCHD can produce higher quality)
* white balance = set the same for all cameras (custom white balance is best)
  * easiest = use preset (such as “tungsten”)
* [develop understanding of](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd9oNggNqjQ): [shutter speed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGud8vGwp-Y) vs. [frame rate](https://vimeo.com/blog/post/frame-rate-vs-shutter-speed-setting-the-record-str), [ISO (“gain”)](https://youtu.be/WEApLA-YNko), and [aperture](https://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredpolin/sets/72157626710263148/) ([f-stop](https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/5367295420/))
  * [exposuretool.com](http://exposuretool.com)

{% hint style="danger" %}
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: use more than one camera!
{% endhint %}

### **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**](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/) (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)

{% hint style="info" %}
more shot types = <https://www.instagram.com/p/B6DZWA9ChDB/?igshid=pbgpx0ctas8h>
{% endhint %}