Multi-Camcorder Shooting

As you become more competent with your camcorder, you will inadvertently want to start producing much more professional looking movies.

One way to do this is to introduce more than one Camcorder in to your production, providing you with more creative freedom than you would have with just one Camera.

In the TV and Film industry, it is very rare a large scale production would use just one camera. Multi Camera set ups are also common place in TV Soaps, where deadlines are tight, and Directors simply do not have the time to record scenes over and over again.  If they can do it in one take, they will!!

By having 3 camcorders all recording at the same time, and positioning them in the right place, you will be sure to gain the right coverage you require to enable you to edit something which looks great.  Your viewer would appreciate the change in angle, giving your production a much more dynamic feel.

Get it right…

Shooting with multiple camcorders can provide you with some challenges, and there are a number of techniques you should now about.

Without further ado, lets make sure you know them.

Don’t Cross the Line – the 180 Degree Rule
One of the most common mistakes of an amateur movie maker is not positioning the camcorders in the correct locations and, as a result, break the 180 degree rule.

The 180 degree rule is essentially a guideline which ensures that two elements of a scene always have the same left/right relationship.  If one of the cameras passes over the axis, this is called crossing the line, and gives the left/right appearance a right/left appearance and makes it look as though your subjects are subsequently facing in the opposite direction.

Very Basic Diagram Showing the 180 Degree Rule and suggested Camcorder Set Up.

One easy to understand example is that of a football game.  The next time you are watching a football match on TV, take note – all shots are from one side of the pitch. The only time they will ‘cross the line’ would be to show an action replay, and even then,they will probably display ’reverse angle’ somewhere on the screen.  The reason they do this is simple.  Lets look at when Newcastle United hammered Sunderland 5-1.  From where the cameras where positioned, Newcastle where trying to score to the cameraman’s left,  If they suddenly switched to a camera at the opposite side of the pitch, it would have looked as if Newcastle where trying to score to the right, which confuses the viewer.

If you can get your head around the 180 degree rule, your viewer will not only appreciate the flowing shots of your movie, but they will also appreciate your time and effort that has gone into directing such a dynamic and flowing piece of video.

Set Up Your Camcorders
Another key aspect to creating a multi camcorder masterpiece is to ensure all the Camcorders you use are synced up together.  This will include the white balance, exposure, focus and just as important, the Timecode.

In the professional industry, pro camcorders have a feature called Genlock.  Genlock basically allows you to synchronize the time-codes of you camcorders, which will make it easier when you come to edit your video, as everything will be synced and ready to go.

Don’t be to concerned if your camcorder does not have a Genlock function, as you can use the good old ’3-2-1 record’ method, where everyone presses record at the same time.  Its not ideal, as you may be out 0.5 of a second, but that can easily be rectified in the edit.

As I have mentioned earlier, please ensure you set your camcorders manually and, the best you can, to match the other camcorders image quality.  What you want to avoid is switching from a well exposed and focused shot, to something which is under exposed or out of focus.  That is why it is imperative to set your functions manually, as you can never truly trust the dreaded auto mode.

Don’t Forget About Audio
As the heading suggest, every one should take responsibility for their own audio.

Its always good practice for every Camcorder to record good audio, as if one microphone fails, you have a number of other backups.  With that said, if you are using a radio microphone, feed this into the main camcorder and use this as your primary audio track in the edit.

When editing and cutting between camcorders, don’t use the audio from every camcorder you are cutting to, as this will sound awful.  Record one good audio track, and use this throughout your sequence. Only use the audio from secondary camcorders if the main audio fails.  Now you can see the importance of Genlock in the industry, and why synchronizing your time code is a must!

Have Fun…
Give recording with multiple camcorders ago, its great fun, and seeing it come together in the edit is even better.

You will give your movies a much more professional appearance in the long run!