Need tips on multi-angle orchestra concert filming with different camera types please at DVinfo.net

Bryan Quarrie · March 10th, 2025, 07:25 PM

Hi all, it's been a very long time since I last frequented this forum :)

I have been filming orchestral concerts over the years using a range of different cameras - I'm a one-man crew.

So the scenario is that I've been called once again to film the concert at the Royal College of Music in London, UK. For those of us who know it, this is a hall that can seat up to about 500 people, and has windows on either side of it.

I recently reviewed the previous recording and wondered how it could've been shot differently, so here is a list of the cameras that I used on that gig:

1 x Sony AX700 (manned from the balcony at the back of the hall).
1 x Sony AX100 (shooting wide angle of the stage, positioned next to the AX700).
1 x Qoocam 3 Ultra 360 camera, (placed between the conductor and the 1st row of the orchestra).
1 x Qoocam 8k 360 camera (placed to the side of the organ at the back of the stage, and is used to get wide shots of the organist from the side and the bacjk of the musicians facing the audience).
1 x Qoocam 8k 360 camera (placed to the left side of the stage to get an alternative wide-angle shot).

Because I've used a combination of conventional and 360-style cameras in this scenario, I was wondering:

Regarding editing timing of the different shots, how often would you use shots from non-conventional cameras? Or better still, is it common to use these type of cameras in this sort of production? (It's something I've recently been experimenting with and the client seems happy with it, but I'm wondering if there other ways of using them for future productions).

I've tried to upload stills but unfortunately dvinfo isn't allowing me for some reason, so here is a link to one of the short pieces performed at the previous concert:

https://youtu.be/1yXbZ5yxK6c?si=JkFlhM54i3PKG5h_

Cheers,

Bryan

Paul R Johnson · Yesterday, 04:39 PM

I rather disliked the 360 degree camera - it gives a very 'security cam' viewpoint. I personally have noted lots of people now put a wide unmanned and the manned camera next to each other. To me, that's a waste. I also don't think the conductor cam is a flattering angle. I prefer to see his face, but favour a position just behind 1st violins, just over their heads, not too high, with the conductor set to the right of the frame. In your video, you did a good job of hiding the cameras, but the high angles made it look quite messy as there is so much floor in shot. The 360 cameras just look a bit artificial = not sure if it is the image or the distortion? I was surprised at the audio - sounded very unlike the sound in the room. There was one shot where the view was towards the auditorium and it looked very messy - players and audience all kind of crammed in?
I would on these types of shoot, find anybody to work a camera and movem them out to the other side of the wide angle and do the same with your manned camera. Brief them to change angles very quickly, and make sure focus is sharp quickly - no slow pans or zooms - you can do those. They get solid steady shots, and keep the blurry reframes and focus as short as they can. I've even done it where they have a simple listen only comms to you and if you are doing an arty pull out with a slow pan, you can just whisper move, when you are halfway through and you know when you run out of zoom, you can edit to their steady shot. Left to their own devices, they always have rubbish, when you get blocked or lose the subject and your edit has to use a cutaway or pointless fill.

I'm not convinced the 360 cams are as useful as we tend to think they are with an orchestra because there are too many people. With a 4 or 5 piece band they can give great fill shots - just difficult with orchestras or choirs.

March 10th, 2025, 07:25 PM	#1
Bryan Quarrie Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom Posts: 68	Need tips on multi-angle orchestra concert filming with different camera types please Hi all, it's been a very long time since I last frequented this forum :) I have been filming orchestral concerts over the years using a range of different cameras - I'm a one-man crew. So the scenario is that I've been called once again to film the concert at the Royal College of Music in London, UK. For those of us who know it, this is a hall that can seat up to about 500 people, and has windows on either side of it. I recently reviewed the previous recording and wondered how it could've been shot differently, so here is a list of the cameras that I used on that gig: 1 x Sony AX700 (manned from the balcony at the back of the hall). 1 x Sony AX100 (shooting wide angle of the stage, positioned next to the AX700). 1 x Qoocam 3 Ultra 360 camera, (placed between the conductor and the 1st row of the orchestra). 1 x Qoocam 8k 360 camera (placed to the side of the organ at the back of the stage, and is used to get wide shots of the organist from the side and the bacjk of the musicians facing the audience). 1 x Qoocam 8k 360 camera (placed to the left side of the stage to get an alternative wide-angle shot). Because I've used a combination of conventional and 360-style cameras in this scenario, I was wondering: Regarding editing timing of the different shots, how often would you use shots from non-conventional cameras? Or better still, is it common to use these type of cameras in this sort of production? (It's something I've recently been experimenting with and the client seems happy with it, but I'm wondering if there other ways of using them for future productions). I've tried to upload stills but unfortunately dvinfo isn't allowing me for some reason, so here is a link to one of the short pieces performed at the previous concert: https://youtu.be/1yXbZ5yxK6c?si=JkFlhM54i3PKG5h_ Cheers, Bryan __________________ BQ Counterpoint Films https://www.bqvideographybham.com/

Yesterday, 04:39 PM	#2
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,051	Re: Need tips on multi-angle orchestra concert filming with different camera types pl I rather disliked the 360 degree camera - it gives a very 'security cam' viewpoint. I personally have noted lots of people now put a wide unmanned and the manned camera next to each other. To me, that's a waste. I also don't think the conductor cam is a flattering angle. I prefer to see his face, but favour a position just behind 1st violins, just over their heads, not too high, with the conductor set to the right of the frame. In your video, you did a good job of hiding the cameras, but the high angles made it look quite messy as there is so much floor in shot. The 360 cameras just look a bit artificial = not sure if it is the image or the distortion? I was surprised at the audio - sounded very unlike the sound in the room. There was one shot where the view was towards the auditorium and it looked very messy - players and audience all kind of crammed in? I would on these types of shoot, find anybody to work a camera and movem them out to the other side of the wide angle and do the same with your manned camera. Brief them to change angles very quickly, and make sure focus is sharp quickly - no slow pans or zooms - you can do those. They get solid steady shots, and keep the blurry reframes and focus as short as they can. I've even done it where they have a simple listen only comms to you and if you are doing an arty pull out with a slow pan, you can just whisper move, when you are halfway through and you know when you run out of zoom, you can edit to their steady shot. Left to their own devices, they always have rubbish, when you get blocked or lose the subject and your edit has to use a cutaway or pointless fill. I'm not convinced the 360 cams are as useful as we tend to think they are with an orchestra because there are too many people. With a 4 or 5 piece band they can give great fill shots - just difficult with orchestras or choirs.