How to shoot a band with one camera? at DVinfo.net

Rich Rosen · August 13th, 2002, 07:43 PM

I might hook up with some audio guys recording rock bands. I would like to shoot with one camera. First a cover shot followed by shots of the lead singer, drums, bass etc as they do subsequent takes.

What's the best way to do this so the final product looks like one take? Is it best to play back the first take so they can lip sync while I get my other coverages? Thanks.

Jason Wood · August 13th, 2002, 07:58 PM

I've done this a few times.

We just had the band lip sync/play to their CD.

More often than not you'll need a really loud PA system to do this. Drummers always seem to have the most difficulty hearing the track and keeping in sync. There have been occasions where we had to hide mini headphones on them while they play.

Adrian Douglas · August 13th, 2002, 08:05 PM

That's pretty much how it's done. I've shot a couple that way and it works fine. Just make sure you pay attention to continuity, that is making sure everything is the same for every take.

Jason Wood · August 13th, 2002, 08:13 PM

Also...

I have found that recording a beep or some sort of tone on the actual CD before the track begins helps keep everything in sync for post.

Keith Loh · August 14th, 2002, 01:05 AM

I did this last month with my friend's band and, yes, you really do need another camera. To get anything interesting you have to roam around the band. But everytime you move, unless you plan on wielding a steadicam-like apparatus, you will lose something.

That said, if you have to film with one camera, I suggest you always get cutaway footage. This is footage like shots of a non-active band member's face, hands on the keyboard, drumming away, shots of the crowd. These are elements you can cut into the times when you are wandering around filming nothing but your feet. If you get enough of that, it will seem like you have several cameras, not just one.

The other guys have the audio part squared away.

Nathan Gifford · August 14th, 2002, 11:38 AM

Try two cams anyway. Use a cheaper cam to take the long shots, using either one to continuously record the audio. Use the long shots to mix in the breakaway shots.

Nathan Gifford

August 13th, 2002, 07:43 PM	#1
Rich Rosen New Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 23	How to shoot a band with one camera? I might hook up with some audio guys recording rock bands. I would like to shoot with one camera. First a cover shot followed by shots of the lead singer, drums, bass etc as they do subsequent takes. What's the best way to do this so the final product looks like one take? Is it best to play back the first take so they can lip sync while I get my other coverages? Thanks.

August 13th, 2002, 08:05 PM	#3
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	That's pretty much how it's done. I've shot a couple that way and it works fine. Just make sure you pay attention to continuity, that is making sure everything is the same for every take. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

August 14th, 2002, 01:05 AM	#5
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I did this last month with my friend's band and, yes, you really do need another camera. To get anything interesting you have to roam around the band. But everytime you move, unless you plan on wielding a steadicam-like apparatus, you will lose something. That said, if you have to film with one camera, I suggest you always get cutaway footage. This is footage like shots of a non-active band member's face, hands on the keyboard, drumming away, shots of the crowd. These are elements you can cut into the times when you are wandering around filming nothing but your feet. If you get enough of that, it will seem like you have several cameras, not just one. The other guys have the audio part squared away. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

August 13th, 2002, 07:58 PM	#2
Jason Wood Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 87	I've done this a few times. We just had the band lip sync/play to their CD. More often than not you'll need a really loud PA system to do this. Drummers always seem to have the most difficulty hearing the track and keeping in sync. There have been occasions where we had to hide mini headphones on them while they play.

August 13th, 2002, 08:13 PM	#4
Jason Wood Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 87	Also... I have found that recording a beep or some sort of tone on the actual CD before the track begins helps keep everything in sync for post.

August 14th, 2002, 11:38 AM	#6
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Try two cams anyway. Use a cheaper cam to take the long shots, using either one to continuously record the audio. Use the long shots to mix in the breakaway shots. Nathan Gifford