Bit of a long-shot I know. It's for recorded live performance, not live streaming. I've got a crew of me, plus 1 other if I need. (2)
I'm looking to move towards live performance camera recording. I've recorded with 1 camera - simple enough.
I've recorded with 3-4 cameras - 2 at a 45 degree angle, then 1-2 in the middle doing long and close.
However, a community theatre I'm volunteering for has requested a 2 camera setup, because they don't have too much space and they don't want to intimidate the amateur community actors.
How would you go about filming this? The only options I can think of are:
Option 1 - Two cameras 45 degrees from each other. Cut between them as necessary.
Camera A is an unmanned static long shot? Or manned but minimally operated (just to keep it framed) at mid-long? Camera B is fully operated to do mid/CU.
Option 2 - Two cameras in the middle. 1 static, 1 for mid-closeup.
Anything else you can think of? Tips and tricks? I'm trying to give their productions a nice 'movie' feel to them (making good use of the filmic 'line').
Thanks all
I haven't done theater work before, but for corporate events I prefer to have one manned camera straight down the middle for close ups/any other shots the director wants, and one static camera at 45 degrees with a wide shot. Whenever the camera op needs to get a new shot, just switch to the wide shot on the static cam, let the cam op get comfortable, then switch back. Avoid a wide shot on the manned camera, because then you don't have a new shot to switch to. I haven't been doing this for too long, so I don't know much, but I'll try to think of anything else that might help.
Option 1 seems best considering your options, seems like the safest bet for coverage and most people look better at a 45 degree angle rather than straight on. Maybe have the closeup camera at a tigher angle. If people could be operating both cameras and be able to strafe the stage a bit on each side that'd be ideal. May be good to consider which side is doing close ups and which is doing wide shots when as well if you have the option.
you clearly know way more about this than I do lol but still gonna try and give something helpful... Maybe you can find examples online of other performances you think achieve the style you're going for and work backwards from there to determine their camera positions?
