Filming with two cameras Multicamera Setup Filming with two cameras

Positives You can shoot one movement from more than one angle or shot length faster and easier. You can edit better audio from one camera over top of bad audio from another. Less breaks and cuts in action. More options in editing. More freedom to take the shots you want to, and the finished edit will look much more interesting and professional.

Drawbacks Both cameras MUST have the same settings as far as lighting, focus, frame. . . There is a less optimized source of lighting. Makes it harder to setup audio and light equipment. Getting in each others way. Avoid tripods and camera people shadows and cameras in view. Communication between both camera people is essential to getting different but useful footage.

Camera 1 and 2 The covering camera: The covering camera should be set up on a tripod to cover the whole event in a wide shot. This camcorder shouldn't move during the whole event, so you don't need someone there monitoring it all the time. You should turn off auto focus, and try to ensure that the camera is placed so that it receives good sound. With this done you can relax. You know that whatever happens, your event is going to be recorded in its entirety.

Camera 1 and 2 The roving camera: The other camera(s) can either be handheld or mounted on a tripod which can be smoothly moved. Use a roving camera to get cutaways, close ups, panning and moving shots. Because you know the covering camera is getting all the footage you need, you can be as creative as you like with the roving camera.

Using Four Cameras The two outer cameras shoot close-up shots or "crosses" of the two most active characters on the set at any given time. the central camera or cameras shoot a wider master shot to capture the overall action and establish the geography of the room.

Tips Always keep the camera running If you're filming a sequence of events that will be continuous in your film, don't keep starting and stopping the roving camera. In the edit you'll want to synchronize the action from both cameras, and you'll have to do this each time you turn off the camera. Keep to one side: Always keep the roving camera on the same side of the action as the covering camera. That way everybody in shot will appear to be looking in the right direction. Remember -- you may want to use the picture from one camera and the sound from the other.