how to see what cameraman is filming?

[Boyd Mccollum]

Under the situation you describe, you can’t. But there are directing techniques that you can utilize: before the shoot, talk with him about what you want, what you need and be open to his/her suggestions. If there is time, you can always review some of the footage and make adjustments as necessary. Watch what he is shooting and where his focus is as events unfold – you should be able to make subtle adjustments on the fly, for instance, tap his shoulder, get his attention and point toward what the focus should be. You can also create some hand signals for tight shots, wide shots, etc. Don’t forget to talk with him about what’s going on during what ever it is you’re shooting. Ask him if he caught a specific moment or tell him where you think his focus should be at different times. Communication is the key.

The relationship between a director and a cameraman is one of trust and communication. Over time, perhaps not with this camera person specifically, you’ll be nurturing long term relationships that will pay huge dividends in the long run. Being able to work with other creative people is perhaps one of the most important core skills that is required for success in this business.

[Tom Meegan]

https://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=LTM-WAVS-30&cat=VIDEOEQUIP&subcat=&prodClass=WRLESSV&mfg=&search=0&off=

I haven’t used that product, but it might be worth looking into.

Another option is walkie talkies to communicate as your videographer works…

https://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4042404&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.MOT+SX700R%2F2PK

In truth though, adding this technology for a one camera shoot will likely pull your focus away from the other producer/director duties.

As mentioned above, developing a relationship of trust and communication will likely serve you better on single camera shoots. If you add more than one camera, and intend to switch them live, then monitoring and communications become critical.

Best of luck.

Tom

[David Battistella]

Tom is right. You hire someone you trust and can colaborate with. Don’t be a “shadow director” nobody likes to work with them. By doing that, you are probably putting the person into an uncomforable position and that affects the product.

Have a discussion on how the scenes will be shot ahead of time. Make eyecontact with one and other. Work out a set of simple hand signals to describe what type of shot you are on. One for a close up, two for a medium, three for a wide, etc.

The best way to approach a two camera shoot is to loose the ego and figure out what is required.

David

Peace and Love 🙂

[Rick Macadamia]

I bought a device a few years ago called the ShotWatcher. It is an FM transmitter that you attach to the camera via tape, velcro, rubberbands, whatever. You run the video out of the camera into the ShotWatcher and it transmitts a signal that can be picked up on a consumer grade, battery opperated, hand held television set. My set is made by Casio. The ShotWatcher has a limited range, 50 to 100 feet on a good day, but it will enable you to see what the camera operator is shooting. Mine was made by Vortex Media. Don’t know if they still carry that product but it sounds like it will give you what you need. I use it all the time. Producers carry the portable set around and most seem to appreciate the extra level of confidence. Of course, from an operators standpoint, then you run into Producers telling you what to shoot and how to shoot it…but that’s another topic.