-
Shooting a Seminar
I’m shooting a seminar at a hotel next week. I have 2 cameras and 2 camera operators. One camera will be used for wide shots of the stage and the other for tights of speakers. Where should I place both cameras in the ballroom? I would like to put one back center for wide shots, but don’t want to see the other “tight shot” cameraman. Any advice?
-
2 Replies
-
You tight shot camera should go center, back from the stage as far as your lens will allow. For example, if you want a medium shot of the speaker, how far back will whatever camera/lens you are using allow you to go and still zoom in enough to get a medium? Wherever you end up, try to get a riser for this camera so the operator doesn’t have to deal with the audience getting in his or her way. Also, if you are on a very long lens, you might want to keep the cameras riser isolated from the operator, as every move the operator makes might be seen in the shot! But usually you don’t have to go back that far.
The wide shot camera could be in the back corner. I find wide shots look much better off center of the stage. This allows multiple shots – a big wide, a medium or wide with a pan from the audience to the stage, and then a nice medium side of the stage. You can also send that operator to a front position on occasion if you want audience shots – wides, groups and closeups.
Have the CU be your go-to camera, and coordinate tape changes (if any) so that one is always rolling.
Send good sound to both cameras so that one backs up the other.
Tom Miller
Big Pictures Media
Denver, Coloradohttp://www.BigPicturesMedia.com
-
Great advice, Thomas. Thank you.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up