are two cameras necessary for a feature film

[Duke]

Usually they do one establish shot of the scene from a distance. Then a medium shot. Woody Allen stops there. It's his 'style' though he says it's just because he's lazy.

Most directors then do close ups or over the shoulders of the same scene to get each actors reactions. Especially if it has important dialog or emotions.

Experianced actors love this since it gives them a chance to be subtle, but convey the emotion. Non-actors wonder what you're doing until you explain it. Unfortunately they then often overact. Explain that when you are that close (closer than you'd get in real life) at twitch, a flicker of the eyes may explain it all.

Duke

[swaneon]

any links to being a director?

[dkijc]

I always wondered about this.

I always figured two camera (or an external audio recording device) was necessary if for example, one of the subjects was talking and I want to pan left, right or just shoot it from different angle while he or she is still talking. Wouldn't you need some sort of device (whether it'd be video or audio) so the audio don't cut off while the main cam is paused?

And after you shoot your footages, you'd just import your second audio/video source and replace the audio of the main footage in the timeline so you would have a continuous audio.

Does that make sense? =p

[Sean Michael]

I always figured two camera (or an external audio recording device) was necessary if for example, one of the subjects was talking and I want to pan left, right or just shoot it from different angle while he or she is still talking. Wouldn't you need some sort of device (whether it'd be video or audio) so the audio don't cut off while the main cam is paused?

And after you shoot your footages, you'd just import your second audio/video source and replace the audio of the main footage in the timeline so you would have a continuous audio.

I'm not really sure what you're asking, so let me put it this way.

The original thread question uses the key word "necessary." If using 2 cameras was "necessary" for a feature, then it would be impossible to shoot a feature with only one camera. This is clearly not the case, since many (if not most) features have been shot with one camera.

Now with regard to shooting dialogue, basic action, and so forth...

Using one camera, the multiple-camera look can be convincingly "faked" in many instances by doing multiple takes from different angles, including overlapping match action, and editing it all together well.

For example, let's say an actor walks into a room, opens a refrigerator, pulls out a beer, and opens it. What a director might do is shoot the complete shot with a wide-angle, and then shoot the individual actions from different angles. The final edit would match these shots together such that the actions (and audio) overlap and match. The end result is (or should appear) seamless to the audience.

[dkijc]

Thanks so much for the great info!

I was talking about a situation, maybe like a wedding. Lets say the pastor is speaking and I don't want to cut off his sermon/speech but, at the same time, I don't want to keep panning back and forth. I want to capture people's faces or whatever from a different perspective. Does that make sense? In that case, wouldn't it be 'necessary' to have an external audio recorder/ video (if i truly want to sync the audio with the footage.)

I hope that makes sense.... haha sorry for the poor explanation

[Sean Michael]

Okay, a wedding's a different situation than a narrative feature, since you obviously can't demand a second take.

I'll take a stab at it even though I don't know much about shooting weddings.

Your first goal will be to successfully capture the audio. If you are using an HV20, you only have the one audio input. I would probably use a mini-to-XLR adapter (Beachtek) to add pro-quality XLR mics (maybe even a wireless, if you are feeling brave), one of which would be focused upon the pastor/bride/groom at all times.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Dual_XLR.html

So there's your audio solution.

With regard to the video... let me think about that a bit.

[dkijc]

cheers mate!
That's awesome. Never knew they actually had those kind of devices.

I am assuming it's the same route if I have an external MiniDisc recorder, correct? Where does that device store the seperate audio to??

Thanks for the info and looking forward to hear from ya. I just wanted to confirm about the audio issue and I'm glad what I was thinking wasn't too far off. =)

[JohnI]

Depends on the shot, it could be good to have a master shot and then have another mobile camera shoot coverage from different angles while you still have the master you can cut back to. Someone mentioned earlier that these are good for docs and filming of a live event. But could be used in a film depending on the scene.

[michael_warsaw]

Most 'professional' shoots do not have multiple cameras. You only find multiple cameras on cheaper, quicker shows like sitcoms. Everyone else uses a single camera. You should be using a single camera as well unless you're shooting a live event or documentary.

I don't need multiple cameras when I'm shooting documentary. NOT always.
It depends on the kind of documentary - depends on situation. - you can direct people in a documentary scene like they were real actors - it's not easy but some times it is possible to do.

[Khaver]

Where you would need to use multiple cameras would be when you are filming a huge, pyro-technic, car smashing, building crashing, stunt-men flying, scene. Unless you're friends with the Pres and he'll bailout your production company.