One Camera Or Two?

[Phil Maker]

I'm trying to decide whether to shoot with one camera or two. We're not really big on lots of cuts -- it makes the movie feel like it went through a blender to us. I know with two cameras I can shoot faster. With one camera I have to be more decisive. One camera's better for lighting reasons. How many would you shoot with if money wasn't an issue? We're doing a feature.

 

[Gohanto]

I prefer one, but that's largely because I move the camera a lot and choreographing two cameras would be impossible for a lot of my shots.

 

[craigbowman]

Unless you're shooting a lot of action sequences with on set pyrotechnics which would be too expensive to repeat, shoot with one. Otherwise shoot with as many cameras as required to get all the coverage needed for the action scene in one take. You can though, always have a second unit running around getting B roll while you focus on the main story. You know the sunrise over small town etc.

 

[Derrick_SA]

I'm also interested in this question, and would like to add a question (without hijacking the thread)

If you shoot with one camera, your blocking and acting needs to be very VERY similar for the cuts to work doesn't it?

- Derrick

 

[craigbowman]

One of the key attributes for any actor is repeatability for exactly reasons of continuity. Blocking is prepared before your first setup and shouldn't be a continuity issue. Otherwise, can the script supervisor.

 

[Jason Adams]

Keep in mind that a lot of dps shoot dialog scenes with one camera.

This is not because they can not afford a second camera on a feature. It is because it is often impossible with the lighting set up to block a second camera. If you really can get several lights for actors and the background lighting, you start adding negative fill and you run out of room on location. Also pulling perfect focus is critical enough with one. Why complicate if you don't have to.

I would go with one. It also builds good blocking and storyboard discipline when you have to get all your coverage with one and still be on schedule.