HOW TO PULL OFF A MULTIPLE-CAMERA VIDEO SHOOT

What Is A Multiple-Camera Shoot?

The name says it all - a multiple-camera shoot is simply a video production setup that involves the use of two or more cameras that are recording simultaneously. If you’ve never set this up before, the process can be challenging. In this blog, we’ll outline the pros and cons of utilizing a multi-camera setup, some best practices, and examples of our team’s work in which we utilized this setup successfully.

The Pros & Cons Of A Multiple-Camera Setup

While a multi-cam shoot may be highly popular (and with good reason), there are both pros and cons to this technique. Let’s get into it and see if the multiple-camera setup is right for you:

Pros:

Efficiency

If your project involves live action such as a concert or sporting event, a multi-cam setup offers a degree of efficiency that can not be overlooked. In fact, the multi-cam setup has become the industry standard for live productions. The opportunity to cut between multiple cameras to maintain a dynamic visual experience without missing any of the action is just one of many reasons professionals use a multi-camera setup - even for productions that are not being broadcast live. Check out an example from our portfolio - a live performance from Sovereign Grace Music in which we had to ensure we wouldn’t miss a single beat.

Coverage

The nature of the multi-cam allows you to capture multiple angles simultaneously, ensuring your team gets the most footage possible under time constraints without having to readjust camera positioning. For a good example of this, check out our Flavored By Flame cooking show in which we had to ensure we had sufficient coverage- as the chef was only going to be making this recipe once.

The multi-cam setup can also be useful for shoots like interviews, newscasts, or even television shows. Having this amount of coverage also allows you to edit dialogue in post-production for clarity or brevity without employing any awkward jump cuts. For example, check out this image of our camera setup for a recent interview - and then watch the short clip to see how it came together:

Think Of The Editor!

“We’ll fix it in post” is a phrase both loved and hated in the video production world, depending on who you ask. Capturing enough footage during production allows for more wiggle room in the edit, which subsequently allows for more creative flexibility - and less “fixing in post.” With a multitude of angles and looks to choose from, the multiple-camera setup can help you achieve a better final product depending on what you're looking for - and your editor will thank you.

Cons:

Investment

Depending on the scale of your production, you may simply not have the budget for multiple cameras. In this case, a workaround may be to use the camera on your smartphone as a second camera (if this is appropriate for the production value of your project, of course). Setting up multiple cameras is also a time and personnel investment, which again may or may not be worthwhile depending on the goals of your production. Furthermore, if you are going to be shooting in multiple locations, the setup and breakdown of multiple cameras in each setting will tack some time onto your shoot day that may not be worth it. You may be noticing a theme here - it all depends on what is most appropriate for your project.

Lighting And Equipment

Since you’ll be optimizing your lighting setup for multiple cameras instead of just one, you will lose some flexibility in terms of creative control over your lighting. In a single-camera production, you have the ability to adjust lighting between shots to account for different angles, looks, and so on. Since all cameras are running simultaneously in a multi-camera setup, you will need to create a more generalized lighting look that provides for a continuous and satisfactory shot on each camera. As long as you have an experienced lighting team, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Furthermore, you’ll be slightly restricted in your equipment setup (sound, lighting, tripods, etc.) in that you won’t want any of this equipment to show up in your shot - and with more cameras (and therefore more equipment) this becomes increasingly possible. For some tips on lighting a multi-camera production, check out this video from our YouTube channel:

Best Practices For A Multi-Camera Shoot

Once you’ve decided if a multi-cam shoot is right for you or not, the fun begins. There are some things to keep in mind if you decide to roll with a multi-cam setup - here are some of our tips: from industry standards to methods we’ve learned in the field.

Location, Location, Location

Once you have the location of your shoot nailed down (assuming it is not going to be at your studio or wherever you normally film), it can benefit you to scout the location before shooting, provided you have the resources. This will ensure that you can pre-plan your camera positioning, lighting, and so on. If you have the ability and time, this will make your shoot day(s) run a lot smoother and prevent you from having to make any game-time decisions in regard to your setup.

The 180-Degree Rule

No, we’re not talking about temperature. The 180-degree rule is a cornerstone of cinematography that dictates that when there are two or more subjects on-screen, they should always maintain the same left-right relationship with one another. That sounds confusing, but all it means is that you as a camera operator should avoid crossing an invisible 180-degree line that passes through your subjects to prevent the swapping of their places on the screen. Breaking this rule is possible, but should be avoided so as to not disorient your audience. Keeping this in mind is especially important when positioning multiple cameras, as you need to ensure that each camera placement individually does not break the rule. Check out this graphic to see what we mean:

The Long & Short Of It

So you’ve got your cameras on the right side of the action - but how close should each of them be to your subjects? The golden rule here is that you should have at least one camera set to cover a wide angle of your set and subjects in order to establish spatial logic and to immerse your viewer in the environment. Then, have the rest of your cameras set to capture close-ups of your subjects. In the edit, you can cut between these viewpoints to create a more interesting visual rhythm. Here’s a graphic to help you visualize:

Side Note & Final Thoughts: Communication Is Key

Aside from the technical components of your multi-camera shoot, there’s one other thing to keep in mind - communication. To ensure only the best footage ends up in the editing room, all camera operators must be on the same page. This requires frequent and efficient communication while on set, ideally orchestrated by your Director or Director of Photography. Luckily, this will be easy if you are working with a team that understands the vision of the project - even better if you have all worked together before. 

So, is the multi-cam shoot right for you? In any case, check out our blog for more insights and our YouTube channel for more tutorials - and good luck out there!