switcheelzz
New member
How should i go about actually filming it? Should i just tripod the whole thing from one spot or try and switch angles and such during scene changes? Any tips appreciated
Filming High School Musical... Help!
- Thread starter switcheelzz
- Start date
The answer depends on how many cameras and operators you have available during a live performance, and your willingness to edit.
If you are able to tape across several dress-rehearsals, you'll be able to shoot as you would in a single-camera film shoot - possibly accessing areas near or on-stage that you wouldn't be able to utilize during a public performance.
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If you are able to tape across several dress-rehearsals, you'll be able to shoot as you would in a single-camera film shoot - possibly accessing areas near or on-stage that you wouldn't be able to utilize during a public performance.
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switcheelzz
New member
yeah unfortunatetly its just me, but there ARE 4 performances of the show so do u thuink it would be a good idea to get close ups one night and a tripod shot another and then link it in post?
ryan brown
lOwEr CaSe Member
Yup.... what he said.
If it's just you and your camera, I find a good spot (back, center), set up on tripod, and capture the entire thing. If you move around to attempt to get other angles, all your "moving around time" will have to be cut in the end.
If you've got one more shooter, then have one stationary at the back, and the other roam around the entire time getting other angles. Remeber to stay in constant record mode with shooter B, cause otherwise it'll take a lot of wasted time re-syncing in post.
-brown
If it's just you and your camera, I find a good spot (back, center), set up on tripod, and capture the entire thing. If you move around to attempt to get other angles, all your "moving around time" will have to be cut in the end.
If you've got one more shooter, then have one stationary at the back, and the other roam around the entire time getting other angles. Remeber to stay in constant record mode with shooter B, cause otherwise it'll take a lot of wasted time re-syncing in post.
-brown
ryan brown
lOwEr CaSe Member
Argg... you beat me!
switcheelzz
New member
oh and one more question... 24p or 60i?
Jarek Zabczynski
Veteran
I tape shows all the time. I use two camera from the back. I keep one wide the entire time and do closeups with the other. Then I cut them in post. Keeping one wide ensures you never miss a cue. I always shoot 24p. Mixing performances is a bad idea and I would avoid it at all costs. Each show has it's own unique feel to it. Being an actor myself I can tell you that no two performances are the same. If I tape multiple shows, in some cases I may use Act I of one night and Act II of another. I ask the director which parts they want me to use.
Ike615
Well-known member
I usually have at least a two camera setup with one getting a wide angel shot and the other getting closeups. I can usually get away with both cameras getting closeups as well though, as long as the camera operators are good at following the action and have seen the show at least once so they don't have any surprises. It's always nice to have a camera in the back as well getting a full wide shot. It ends up becoming a nice saver cam in editing if the other two cams end up off at the same time.
I find the most effective angles to shoot from are diagonals from the left and right of the stage. This way you got both sides covered when the actor happens to face out completely left or right.
So here's what I recommend for your situation because you're only shooting with one camera. I'm going to disagree with Brown a little bit. I would set up as close to the stage where you can still get a wide enough shot of all the actors. I would also setup a little off center to the right or left. This will make the shot have a little more depth then just shooting straight on. Keep it on a tripod and conservative with your panning and zooming
I agree with Jester about mixing shows. I constantly get asked to film shows twice and I always respond no. For one it requires double the amount of work for you. And two, it opens up the idea to the director and cast that you'll film it as many times till it's perfect. The thing is, theater is never perfect. And the thing is, it's there job to make the show as good as possible. It's your job to film it. So if they don't have a good performance it's not your problem and you shouldn't feel the consequences of it. Now if they are going to pay you more money to shoot multiple nights go for it.
As for what frame rate to shoot in I recommend staying away from 24p. While 24p looks great it does not have it's place in recording live shows. For live shows you want to maintain that live look and 24p really takes you out of that. From just a technical stand point when you're shooting theater you do a lot of panning and zooming. And in 24p mode that results in the strobing effect (which is very hard to watch). So I would stick with 60i.
As for sound. I recommend hooking in the the sound board (if there is one) and setting up a shotgun mic close to the stage. If you can have the mic be pointing down at them instead of up. This way you won't be getting a lot of unwanted sounds coming from the ceiling. The key part is that it's not on your camera so it will not pick up camera noises and you fumbling around with the switches.
Hope that helps and good luck with your shoot!
I find the most effective angles to shoot from are diagonals from the left and right of the stage. This way you got both sides covered when the actor happens to face out completely left or right.
So here's what I recommend for your situation because you're only shooting with one camera. I'm going to disagree with Brown a little bit. I would set up as close to the stage where you can still get a wide enough shot of all the actors. I would also setup a little off center to the right or left. This will make the shot have a little more depth then just shooting straight on. Keep it on a tripod and conservative with your panning and zooming
I agree with Jester about mixing shows. I constantly get asked to film shows twice and I always respond no. For one it requires double the amount of work for you. And two, it opens up the idea to the director and cast that you'll film it as many times till it's perfect. The thing is, theater is never perfect. And the thing is, it's there job to make the show as good as possible. It's your job to film it. So if they don't have a good performance it's not your problem and you shouldn't feel the consequences of it. Now if they are going to pay you more money to shoot multiple nights go for it.
As for what frame rate to shoot in I recommend staying away from 24p. While 24p looks great it does not have it's place in recording live shows. For live shows you want to maintain that live look and 24p really takes you out of that. From just a technical stand point when you're shooting theater you do a lot of panning and zooming. And in 24p mode that results in the strobing effect (which is very hard to watch). So I would stick with 60i.
As for sound. I recommend hooking in the the sound board (if there is one) and setting up a shotgun mic close to the stage. If you can have the mic be pointing down at them instead of up. This way you won't be getting a lot of unwanted sounds coming from the ceiling. The key part is that it's not on your camera so it will not pick up camera noises and you fumbling around with the switches.
Hope that helps and good luck with your shoot!