Setup for a possible step-show gig at DVinfo.net

Jean King · January 3rd, 2003, 09:01 AM

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

I am being contracted to videotape a college step show for a sorority and will soon be talking with the person in charge of this event. What are some questions that I should ask her to help with my video camera setup?? (besides the obvious, like whether it is indoor/outdoor, low light/bright)
Any tips on how to shoot such an event would be greatly appreciated also..
Jean King

Mark Härtl · January 3rd, 2003, 09:06 AM

Hi Jean

That's what I would ask:

- Are you allowed to go on the stage?
- How high is the stage-ground?
- How long will the show be (for tapes and batteries)?
- Will there be a break (so you can move to another position)?

Watching the whole stage will get boring, so film also the feet and single actors. Move along the stage (perhaps with a dolly).

Hope this helps a bit,

Jean King · January 3rd, 2003, 09:09 AM

Oops!! I forgot to mention I will be shooting with a Canon GL2..

Mark Härtl · January 3rd, 2003, 09:48 AM

And try to get their show-plan so you won't miss an important part or moment of the show.

Rick Spilman · January 3rd, 2003, 10:11 AM

If at all possible use at least two cameras. If need be rent a second, set it up on a tripod zoomed as close as possible on the stage with a friend standing by to make sure no one bumps it (or walks away with it.) The second camera will give you the establishing shots and cutaways while you are changing position with your main camera.

If practical try to arrange to plug the second camera's mike into the soundboard. You may need to buy a run of XLR cable. It is also handy to have a 1/2 adapter in case the board doesn't have a spare XLR out. Be sure to check levels during the sound check. DV has an unforgiving ceiling so adjust your camera or the sound board feed as necessary. Capture ambient sound on your main camera. Mixing the ambient and the sound from the board gives a nice "real" feeling when you edit the tapes.

Attend the rehersal if possible and get as familiar as possible with the program. If you know what is coming you will have a much better feel for where you want your camera pointing when.

Get as many varied shots with your main camera as possible. Close-ups of feet, faces, hands, and so forth. If your second camera is framed on the stage you can still get good side shots from the wings or ground without crossing over into the other cameras view.

Once you have all the footage, sync the two or more tapes and cut back and forth between the wide and close shots as indicated.

Hope this helps.

Rick

Jean King · January 10th, 2003, 08:14 PM

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the posts!! I am certainly assured of having a decent shoot with the information received :-)
Jean

January 3rd, 2003, 09:01 AM	#1
Jean King Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Setup for a possible step-show gig Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I am being contracted to videotape a college step show for a sorority and will soon be talking with the person in charge of this event. What are some questions that I should ask her to help with my video camera setup?? (besides the obvious, like whether it is indoor/outdoor, low light/bright) Any tips on how to shoot such an event would be greatly appreciated also.. Jean King

January 3rd, 2003, 09:06 AM	#2
Mark Härtl Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 54	Hi Jean That's what I would ask: - Are you allowed to go on the stage? - How high is the stage-ground? - How long will the show be (for tapes and batteries)? - Will there be a break (so you can move to another position)? Watching the whole stage will get boring, so film also the feet and single actors. Move along the stage (perhaps with a dolly). Hope this helps a bit, __________________ Mark

January 3rd, 2003, 09:09 AM	#3
Jean King Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Follow-up Oops!! I forgot to mention I will be shooting with a Canon GL2..

January 3rd, 2003, 09:48 AM	#4
Mark Härtl Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 54	And try to get their show-plan so you won't miss an important part or moment of the show. __________________ Mark

January 10th, 2003, 08:14 PM	#6
Jean King Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Thanks, guys Hey everyone, Thanks for all the posts!! I am certainly assured of having a decent shoot with the information received :-) Jean

January 3rd, 2003, 10:11 AM	#5
Rick Spilman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 366	If at all possible use at least two cameras. If need be rent a second, set it up on a tripod zoomed as close as possible on the stage with a friend standing by to make sure no one bumps it (or walks away with it.) The second camera will give you the establishing shots and cutaways while you are changing position with your main camera. If practical try to arrange to plug the second camera's mike into the soundboard. You may need to buy a run of XLR cable. It is also handy to have a 1/2 adapter in case the board doesn't have a spare XLR out. Be sure to check levels during the sound check. DV has an unforgiving ceiling so adjust your camera or the sound board feed as necessary. Capture ambient sound on your main camera. Mixing the ambient and the sound from the board gives a nice "real" feeling when you edit the tapes. Attend the rehersal if possible and get as familiar as possible with the program. If you know what is coming you will have a much better feel for where you want your camera pointing when. Get as many varied shots with your main camera as possible. Close-ups of feet, faces, hands, and so forth. If your second camera is framed on the stage you can still get good side shots from the wings or ground without crossing over into the other cameras view. Once you have all the footage, sync the two or more tapes and cut back and forth between the wide and close shots as indicated. Hope this helps. Rick

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