PDA

View Full Version : Editing with multiple cameras


Dodgy Nick
2008 February 4th, 06:44
I've just completed filming a musical with a small crew using 3 cameras:

Stage left: close ups
Stage right: medium shots
Front of house: wide (safety) shot

I used a Sony, Panny and my trusted HV20 on the shoot. Colour correcting the other two cams was a pain in the ****, and it made me realise how wonderful the PQ on this little cam really is, compared to the other models. Since the best shots are on the HV20, I want to use the other camera angles as little as possible. Is there a general rule on how often you should switch angles between cameras in editing? I know the 'blink of an eye' theory, but that applies to movies only, right? Also, should I use crossfades all the time, or break it up with straight cuts? How long should the crossfade be, and should their lengths all be constant?

One more question to add to this growing list: When adding lower thirds at the beginning of songs, should the lower third only be placed on top of one of the angles, or is it OK to switch camera angles while the lower third is on the screen?

This is my first commercial venture, and a friend of mine will shortly purchase an HV20/30 in order to lift the standard of our productions up a notch.
mattias
2008 February 4th, 07:12
you change camera angle when you have a reason to. that's the only editing rule there is, and it applies to all kinds of productions. reasons can be pragmatic, i.e. that shot looks better, storytelling, i.e. to see a reaction, or whatever you feel like. tempo is probably the reason you're talking about, but it's the least important one and it will happen by itself if you just follow rule number one. good luck.

/matt
Dodgy Nick
2008 February 4th, 07:19
you change camera angle when you have a reason to.

tempo is probably the reason you're talking about, but it's the least important one and it will happen by itself if you just follow rule number one.

Matt, that's great advice, thanks. My initial feeling was to use the HV20 footage primarily and then just switch to the other cameras when I need to while I was adjusting my framing on the HV20. Also, to start off each scene with the wide angle shot and then moving my way to the close up. You were right in assuming my worry was about pacing, but if that's the last thing I should worry about, then I guess I'm good to go! Thanks again.
mattias
2008 February 4th, 07:27
just remember that you need a reason to change back from the closeup as well. cutting from a close shot to a wide one has a huge impact on the audience. make sure it means something.

/matt
Dodgy Nick
2008 February 4th, 07:33
just remember that you need a reason to change back from the closeup as well. cutting from a close shot to a wide one has a huge impact on the audience. make sure it means something.

/matt

Good point. I'll reserve the wide angle shots for when more people enter the stage in order to orientate the audience, and when people leave the stage, setting up for the next big entrance.

Any answers to my other questions, specifically:
Crossfades only, or combination of crossfades and cuts?
Length of crossfades - consistant or not?
Should lower thirds only be used on top of one camera angle, or can it span several angles?

I appreciate your advice.
Nick
mattias
2008 February 4th, 07:56
i don't edit much "live" style content so i don't know whether crossfades are common, but i don't like them for cuts within a scene so i generally only use them for time and space transitions. it's just a matter of taste though so whatever you think works.

/matt
Dodgy Nick
2008 February 4th, 08:04
i don't edit much "live" style content so i don't know whether crossfades are common, but i don't like them for cuts within a scene so i generally only use them for time and space transitions. it's just a matter of taste though so whatever you think works.

/matt

From my initial tests in Vegas 8's multicam tool, it feels like fades are nice to use when camera 1 is panning/zooming and camera 2 is static. When both cams are static, a cut seems more appropriate. I just didn't know if there are rules regarding these things! I guess I'll go with my instincts then. Thanks, you've been a great help.
kevinmeyer
2008 February 6th, 05:10
hey spoiler,

maybe this link will help with explain the theory dissolves...

http://www.videomaker.com/article/13488/