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

• ⏱️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 by BlackMagicDesign (free ) - training for DaVinci Resolve

• Adobe Premiere ($$) - video tutorials for Adobe Premiere

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 = 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: shutter speed vs. frame rate, ISO (“gain”), and aperture (f-stop)

  • exposuretool.com

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: use more than one camera!

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