17 Remote Shooting

Objectives Explain the options available to solve lighting problems when shooting on location. Identify general safety precautions related to the handling of cameras and batteries. Compare the features and procedures of both remote shooting techniques.

Camera Mounts for Remotes Crab dolly, or track dolly Dolly grip

Camera Mounts for Remotes (Cont.) Operator-supported camera stabilization system

Remote Lighting

Lighting for Remote Shoot If shooting inside building on set in daytime with sunlight coming through window: Either CTO gel window or CTB gel your instruments to convert everything to same color temperature before white balancing camera Cover window with light blocking material Shoot at night—window will become a mirror

Audio for Remotes Wear full-muff headphones to monitor sound Place mics as close as possible to talent Use microphone boom Hide mics on set Hide lapel mic under collar of talent’s shirt Use windscreen outside if necessary

Electrical Power on Remotes If connecting to existing electrical outlets: Check number of amps circuit is rated for Check number of watts equipment requires Take number of watts, move decimal two places left to determine amps needed. For example, 600 watts requires 6.00 amps of electricity.

Discussion How do you determine if you can plug a 400W, a 600W, two 500W, and a 750W lighting instrument into 20 amp electrical circuit? Move decimal point two places to left on each lamp and you get: 4 + 6 + 5 + 5 + 7.5 = 27.5 amps are required for instruments to operate. Circuit only can provide 20 amps. You need to reduce instruments. Best solution is to not use 750W instrument.

Batteries Nickel cadmium (NiCad) Read instructions on how to charge batteries Some batteries can remain on charger indefinitely Some batteries must be removed from charger once fully charged

Battery Precautions Do not drop them! They can split open. They do not last long in cold environments Do not completely discharge them—leave small amount of power in battery before recharging Batteries can rupture when heated—never leave in sun or hot space

Batteries and Cold Temperatures In cold batteries, electrons move more slowly, so battery is not as efficient Inefficient battery will cause video gear to shut down—not operate slower

To Keep Batteries Warm Slip batteries inside your shirt, next to your skin Wrap camera in blanket Take breaks in warm environment Keep extra batteries in cooler with chemical hand warmers activated. Place towel between batteries and warmers.

Condensation Moving from dry, cold to warm, humid environment causes condensation to form inside cameras Sensors power down camera when they detect condensation to protect gear from short circuit Viewfinder feedback may be: “Auto Shut-Off,” “Self-Protect Mode,” or “Dew”

Condensation Solution Place camera in new environment at least one hour before using so it can self-adjust Power up camera and quickly press eject button Blow cool air from hand-held hair dryer into open door of camera to speed up evaporation Wait

Multi-Camera Shooting Requires more personnel for each camera Should require fewer takes since scene is shot with different angles at same time May be edited on the spot using camera switcher, so may require less editing time in post-production

Single-Camera Shooting Fewer personnel needed Mostly used for ENG, event recording, speeches, presentations End user merely wants “fly on the wall” recording of event as it happens

Film-Style Shooting Appropriate for dramas and comedies Requires multiple takes Talent has to perform scene same way for each take Extensive editing required

Career Page Media Communications Association-International www.mca-i.org

Discussion What are pros and cons for using crab dolly vs. Steadicam?

Review Question How can you manage lighting issues for a daytime shoot in an office with windows? Your lighting instruments will be 32K and sunlight streaming into room will be 56K+. Before successful white balance can occur, you must bring up color temp of your instruments to match sunlight, or you must bring down sunlight to match your instruments.

Review Question What is the purpose of wearing full-muff, high-quality headphones while shooting on location? To monitor sound going on recording to make sure no unwanted environmental or extraneous sounds are inadvertently recorded.

Review Question Which is most often used for ENG—multi-camera shooting or single-camera shooting? Why? Single-camera shooting, because all that is required is camera and reporter for vast majority of ENG shooting. Multi-camera is more suitable for sporting events.

Review Question What are some precautions to take when using camera batteries? Avoid extreme temperatures, do not drop, do not completely discharge before recharging, ideally keep at room temperature and dry.

Glossary crab dolly: A four-wheeled cart that travels on a lightweight track and enables the camera to smoothly capture movement shots while being pushed or pulled along the track. Also called a track dolly. dolly grip: Member of the crew who pushes or pulls a crab dolly along the track during production.

Glossary film-style shooting: A type of single-camera shooting in which a scene is shot many times with the camera moving to a different position each time to capture the scene from various angles. The finished scene is edited together to look like it was shot with several cameras. multi-camera shooting: A technique of remote shooting where multiple cameras are used.

Glossary nickel cadmium (NiCad): A type of rechargeable battery commonly used to power cameras. single-camera shooting: A technique of remote shooting that involves only one camera and is most often used for event recording. windscreen: A covering, usually foam, placed over a mic to reduce the rumble or flapping sound created when wind blows across the mic.