Help with school theater production

[VikingRSA]

Hey guys!

I have been contracted to shoot a school theater production next week. I will be using my Canon 600D but I am not 100% sure which lenses to use. (This would be my 1st "real" shoot - only started vids about a month ago) I have the following lenses available:

Takumar 50mm F1.4
Takumar 35mm F3.5
Takumar 200mm F4
Sigma 28mm 2.8
Soligor 100mm 2.8
Canon EF-S 18-55mm 3.5 - 5.6
Canon EF-S 55-250mm 3.5 - 5.6
Sigma 70-300mm 3.5 - 5.6

I will also be using a backup camera - small HD camcorder - for when my 600d either runs out of batt power or stops recording. I have never done any theater productions so I have no clue as to how I am going to approach the setup, where to setup and lighting, aperture setting – should I go higher and drop it in post? What would be the highest before grain and noise become a real problem...???? I will be recording the master audio output from the sound engineer on my Korg MR-1000 and on the 600d (to help with the lip sync) Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[jax_rox]

For a theatre show, you are almost definitely going to need two cameras, especially if one is a DSLR. I'd have the DSLR as a close up camera so that when the record time is up and you need to hit record again, you can cut to the other, wider shot camera. As well, it means when you've got a close shot and someone speaks off screen and you have 10 seconds of manouvering trying to find where they are, you can cut to the wider shot which should have them in shot. If it's lit properly, then you shouldn't have much of an issue, though it's hard to know unless you've scouted a rehearsal. There have been times where I've had to have ISO at 800 and it's fine at that level. It might be useful to use to 100mm 2.8 as you have the extra 1/2 stop to play with over the zooms, but unless you're going to get a chance to test some of the serup beforehand, it's going to be hard for you to know until the show starts, and it also depends on where you are situated in the theatre. Definitely don't overexpose a DSLR, once the highlights are gone, they're gone you can't simply drop it in post. I'd also have a power adapter running to the DSLR because I'd struggle to get through a whole theatre show on one battery.

 

[Amr Rahmy]

have you seen the stage, you need to make a test for reference.

ask for a complete rehearsal
make a simple shot list/storyboard with time stamps. runtime and how many breaks(how long)
check the lighting and effects that will happen on stage
check for power outlet available, see if they have ceiling light grid and and how many lights and if its enough(or too harsh).
see if they have a place for a projector and ask to put your camcorder there, or ask to reserve one seat for a tripod.(master)
make sure the camcorder's battery and media will last the entire production
have backup batteries and media for your dslr and get a battery grip and test every new battery at least one time before shoot day. prepare chargers,power cords.
record a sample from the camcorder on rehearsal day to make sure you have enough lights for a decent exposure.
define where can you stand or move without bothering the audience too much. is it between the stage and audience, between front and back seats, is there enough room between seats and back door.

 

[fde101]

Try not to have both cameras moving at the same time. Best for one camera in the back to be set up so that it covers the entire stage area.

Also, know that someone WILL walk in front of each camera, if there is room for them to do so; watch for this and try not to have one camera offline while that is happening with the other -- I'd almost say you really need two cameras recording continuously in order to reduce the chances of losing part of the play to something like that. If you can plant one camera in front in a balcony or the like, that should help with this. Have that camera capture the entire stage area if possible; if all else fails when you go to edit, you would at least have *something* to cut to...

If they are using a mixer and pro audio setup, see if you can get an audio recording off their mixer; it will *usually* be of a better quality than anything you could try to get out of a mic attached to your cameras. (Record from those too, though, as a backup, in case something doesn't come through the mixer well).

As was already pointed out, make sure that the batteries and tape/cards/whatever on the camcorder(s) will enable it to run continuously. You could swap to fresh ones during an intermission if the play is long enough to have one.

If the situation allows, try recording a rehearsal as a "dry run" of sorts, and review for potential issues -- this isn't to capture usable footage so much as to identify any issues specific to this particular play or arrangement in hopes of heading them off during the actual performance.

 

[VikingRSA]

Thanks guys! Its helping a lot! Their 1st rehearsal is the night before the opening of the production! I have been to the theater and it’s not really as big as what I thought. If I sit right at the back my 28mm lens covers the entire stage - just! I will be having 2 cameras - possibly 3 but only me as the operator. I am not allowed to walk around during the production at all so I booked myself 2 middle seats in 2 rows right at the back. The audio opp is just above where I will be sitting so I have a short cable from his desk to my recorder as well as power for my 2 other cameras. Will probably use the 100mm lens and my dslr to capture close-ups and the other 2 cameras to grab the entire show. Will check if there isn’t a nice spot somewhere else - hidden from view for me to add my 3 camera...