Single Camera Shooting

JamieF

JamieF

Member
Hi.
I was wondering if anyone had any tips to for me on single camera shooting. I like to have multiple angles of the same shot, but its sometimes hard for me to fool viewers into thinking i used many different cameras. I'm pretty sure everyone knows what im talking about, but just in case, ill show you an example of a video where im sure they used a single camera with multiple angles of the same action.
I have trouble with very fluid continuity.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BGK9nR28N64


If there is already a post like this with decent answers, just linking me would be fine too, i couldnt seem to find one.
 
It's crucial to get coverage when you're shooting a single cam scene. Make sure you get listening shots if multiple people are in the scene. Try to get a super wide where you can't tell what people are saying. This can be very helpful. If you can get pick ups, that is the way to cover it. Start by making sure you get your content covered and then go back to get your pick ups and cut aways. Make sure that in a scene with people talking, the person speaking isn't always in the frame. May sound crazy, but you can't cut them and pull up a scene if they're always there. You need things to cut to. These are the basics. Everyone has their way to handle it. I try to start with the singles and work my way outside. Over the shoulders and listening shots are the way to go. Just my 2 cents. I've shot reality shows as well as documentary and image stuff. the more you shoot the better you'll get -- but ONLY if you watch your footage in edit to see how it cuts together. If you're just a shooter and don't go into post you'll have a tough time improving your story telling skills. Good Luck!! Have Fun...
 
The main trick is to get the talent to repeat the same sequences in each framing. If they're doing the same things in the same order, editing is a breeze. If you're not doing sync sound, you can direct them through the steps. There are advantages to shooting one camera, you have more control, you can light each angle better, you get more usable footage and shoot less overall, but it probably take a lot longer than multicam.
 
Single camera is the norm in most situations. Multiple takes are shot from different angles to make it look like several cameras were used. It works better because each shot can be optimized for that angle, especially in terms of lighting. Multiple cameras have to compromise.
 
Multiple cameras is usually for shots that you cannot really repeat.
Eg: blowing up a Ferrari - stripped or fully loaded (if loaded, ahm wow).

It may be hard to get continuity if using amatuer actors, but not really a valid reason to use multi cam.
If you are shooting handheld (low setup time) then it'll be easier to 'rush' into the next setup (angle) whilst the movement is fresh in the actors head, as well as yours ie: when doing continuity yourself - low budget: filming action in script sequence.

As Ted said above, a good reason to shoot single cam is being able to light different angles.

It can sometimes add to the scene if the actions don't quite sync eg: Spike Lee (25th Hour) but obviously this requires that skill in itself to work without irritating the viewer.
 
Just to clarify, I was speaking mainly about shooting reality and doc situations where you don't have as much control over actors and lighting. Absolutely if its a scripted project you should be able to shoot multiple angles with appropriate lighting to cover your scenes. And in that case you typically start with your master (wide) shot and then move in to cover your alternate angles. Which is opposite to what I initially wrote.
 
For Doc stuff I prefer to start with any interviews / talking so you can shoot cut aways based on the content of the conversation.
 
Thanks. A lot of stuff i didn't know. Ive been doing a lot of experimental pieces and really haven't gotten into narratives, documentaries, and for lack of a better word, proper movies. I guess what you guys are saying is, i just need to practice contunity, and find actors who can do that too. I was wondering about sound also which someone may have mentioned but i didnt pick up on it. If im recording in camera for my sound (on my xl2). Which angle do you suggest i get the sound from, my judgment tells me a wide scene shot. Or do i need to do some dubbing?
 
If you have to use the on-camera mike you use the sound from the close ups off course. Better use a lavalier mike if you shoot without a sound person, wide shots can be out of sync a bit longer before people notice, close ups can't.

shoot stuff and edit it, editing your own shots will show you what works and what doesn't.
 
The easiest answer for this is directing, acting, and editing. If you have the right director and actor with a good editor to top it off, you can make anything look like it was shot with multiple cameras. Easier said than done, but those three really makes or breaks a film.

I've edited scenes where I have to take a close up from a different scene to cover up some acting and make it look like it was shot continuously with multiple camera. Not all films will have this luxury, but if your director knows what he/she is doing, you'll get some lucky shots where you can use in more than one scenes.
 
First off, what the heck dude, that movie you used as an example rocks! I was expecting junk and was actually entertained. good job on that. Are you the guys that did the glide cam demo on YouTube? I recognized the actor in your flick I think. I also shoot with the XL2..

As for sound, it sorta depends to me as to what you're doing. I've been experimenting with in camera and also recording on my MacBook Pro and we've found that while having to sync things back up in post might be a pain, if you think things through its not as bad as you'd think. We've almost gone completely to this flow for the following reasons.

1) If you do in camera recording and you'd like a sound bite that was recorded earlier or at a different time as your actual cut, you end up having to go through a bunch of footage to find it. This is a real pain.

2) If you record on the computer, you usually will get a higher quality recording. This also frees up the camera operator from having anything attached to him while he's moving around.

Syncing the two back up isn't very hard and I'm sure there are hundreds of ways to do it. I generally add markers to my Final Cut movie indicating the timecode of my movie so that the Sound guy knows about where to look on his sound real to match things up. These time codes are never exact but usually get him close enough to get the job done quickly.

The last shoot we did we did on camera and we really regret it, but it also works in tight spots like having no electricity in the middle of a field or something.

Anyway, I'm sure others can help you out some more, just my 2 cents.

have a good one.

glenn
 
Just to clear it up. I'm glad everyone loves the example. But as much as i would like to say its mine, its not. I didn't say it was before, but I'm guessing it was inferred, so sorry if it was misleading or disappointing, but its not mine. On the upside, it is a really sweet film, and yes, they are the people who have the glide cam demo. But I will have an xl2 soon. I ordered it just before i posted this thread and i cant wait to use it......so i figured i would ask specifically about that cam.
 
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