Shooting with 2 cameras at once
- Thread starter J.D.
- Start date
Scottdvx100
Veteran
Part of the probllem with 2 cameras is getting in the way of the other camera. One camera is dollying while another is shooting wide, etc. Another problem is the lighting may be set to get the best results only from one angle.
Some of the large Hollywood filsm use 2 cameras all the time but work in large enough sets they don't step on each other and the 2nd camera is used to get alternate material. The main camera gets the critical shot and the b camera gets what it's operator thinks is useful.
As your friend mentioend it's very useful on action sequences where you can't do the sequence again easily. It also makes it possible to do matching cuts since the same exact action is being shot.
An additional use of a 2nd camera is to do 2nd unit work. An example is if you have 2 sets and the a camera finishes shooting in one and moves to the next, the 2nd crew shoots inserts (the clock, the cat, hand turning on stove, etc) in the first set. This way you can move at full speed with the actors and not be slowed down by shooting simple shots.
That said if you're relatively new to directing/dp work then you'll have your hands full with just one camera.
Some of the large Hollywood filsm use 2 cameras all the time but work in large enough sets they don't step on each other and the 2nd camera is used to get alternate material. The main camera gets the critical shot and the b camera gets what it's operator thinks is useful.
As your friend mentioend it's very useful on action sequences where you can't do the sequence again easily. It also makes it possible to do matching cuts since the same exact action is being shot.
An additional use of a 2nd camera is to do 2nd unit work. An example is if you have 2 sets and the a camera finishes shooting in one and moves to the next, the 2nd crew shoots inserts (the clock, the cat, hand turning on stove, etc) in the first set. This way you can move at full speed with the actors and not be slowed down by shooting simple shots.
That said if you're relatively new to directing/dp work then you'll have your hands full with just one camera.
Jay Rodriguez
Coffee Member
Use the second one for a behind the scenes chapter