Multi Camera Production

Self Reflection- Multi Media Production

Within this Unit we completed a Multi Camera Production, this was Hairspray. In order for us to film this we had to set up all of our required equipment. We started the day early, as we needed to find all the suitable equipment and cables to match our previous equipment list. Once we had identified all the correct equipment and their cables we could then box them away correctly and safety and into the car. These were then transported across to the Drama Studio in which we could then unload the equipment out of the car and then set up within the studio itself. Due to the rehearsal taking place when we got there, we quietly and safely set up all the equipment in the correct places and making sure they were wired correctly. Due to us needed tables for our equipment to go on such as the monitors, DVD player and the vision mixer we then got tables from the our department to use.

 Once everything was set up appropriately to what we needed, we could then make sure everything worked properly such as all the cameras linking back to the monitors and the preview monitor. We also had to take on board any health and safety hazards as cables were trailing down the steps, which meant we had to tape them down so no one tripped over them. We were then set assigned roles, which meant we kept with these for the day until we were told to switch and try a different piece of equipment.

Within the production itself my roles were camera and director. Within the camera role I required a camera itself and a headset. My camera was used to capture the entire close ups of the main actors, this meant the zoom on the camera was majorly used to capture the detail and facial expressions. The headset was used so I could hear what the shots the director wanted me to next capture, I would listen out for ‘camera 2’ which would then mean I had to either focus on another actor or a different shot. Along with my camera there was also another 3, these captured different angles and different shots. Some people captured long wide shots, which engaged the whole stage production. 

My second role was Director, this meant I was able to watch all the monitors and decipher which camera needed to adjust their movement or their zoom. This meant I had to keep focus so no mains shots were missed out. I could then speak down the microphone, which allowed everyone with headsets on the cameras to hear what I was saying. I would address the people with the cameras with their camera number and then they would adjust their movement. I then also had to tell the individual on the vision mixer what number button to press so this then switched between the cameras and went to the shots we needed. The vision mixer then was connected to the preview screen, which then allowed us to see the production rolling with all the cameras linking in, and their camera angles.