Tips for live music shoot with two cameras.

[Jimmy Moss]

I'm going to be a camera man for a live music event that will be broadcast on TV. Both cameras will be HVX 200a and I will have a 16gb and 32 gb P2 card. The show is an hour long. Questions are:

1. Any issues spanning cards or download time shooting 1080 24PA? How long does it take to offload a 32 GB card and will the 17 min on the 16GB card be long enough to allow for offloading. (Not sure on which format we are shooting just yet, guess 30pn would be better for broadcast).

2. What camera firmware version do you need to run a 32GB P2 card as I've have not used one yet.

3. Any general tips or tricks/knowledge you would like to tell about shooting live handheld footage.

Thanks all!!!

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

1. Spanning is fine. Generally, I can offload a full 32gig card in about 15 minutes...I wouldn't risk trying it. If all you have is another 16 you should only record 20-25 min and stop on the 32gig. Either way if you are shooting, you really should have an assistant to do the offloading. I'm not saying it's not possible to do it yourself, but I wouldn't take a risk of taking my focus off SHOOTING.

2. Ehh...the latest firmware? I Upgraded my firmware in my 200 once to use the 16gig+ cards. My 200a was good to go out of the box, no upgrade needed.

3. Use a support/harness/rig/etc. I generally weigh my camera down with rails and handgrips and hold the rig under my arm for HH work, makes it more stable. For concerts it's ideal cause I'm usually on my knees on the ground getting a nice low angle and shooting up. Knee pads help. Oh and don't use the OIS...it's not very good on the HVX. My one huge gripe about the camera. OIS was perfect on my DVX...not so much on this...