Multiple Cameras or Single Camera

[techpro]

Ok Guys....I need some help as the Crew Manager for a small movie.

We are going to be filming a movie with a length of about 1 hour or so. My question is that:

1) Should I use multiple camera (for multiple angles)
2) Use just one camera

If I use multiple camera then how would I edit the seperate tapes? Would I just hook all the cameras up to one VCR while we are recording and change angles while are recording? Or would I just talk all the tapes and upload them to the computer and cut and paste?

[santi]

If you don't have an experience with cinematography better stay with one camera. Just plan every single shot on storyboard.
Multiple cameras can be helpfull in action scenes like fighting or car chase. You can set the lighting only for one cammera setting at once to achieve desired style and look. If you use more camera you have set the light like in sitcom or soap opera where everything is lit even because one setting could be great in main camera but a complete disaster from other camera.

System "multiple cameas-one vcr and switching angles live is one of the hardest thing in TV business.

[Grant]

It depends on your experience, your style and your capabilities

[Raptor]

Live switching is probably beyond most of our budgets, the simple video switches you can get at radio shack will put a glitch in everytime you switch camers, they provide no camera synch signal. True live switchers are gonna cost you - big time...

[Epsilon]

If your actors are well enough prepared, you can shoot several takes with the same camera from various angles and easily edit them.

[aaronv2]

you need to look at this professionally...

More cameras will limit your camera shots but you will be able to have multiple angles of good takes.

One camera gives the actor more time to be in front of camera while its being setup you can work out what you want in shot blah blah but it will take a hefty toll on your actor when they have to do it like 10 times over.


do a google for batch editing aswell... its a faster way to edit multiple tapes instead of being lazy and trying to edit in realtime which is the stupidest idea ive ever come across... i mean its okay for a broadcast, but in film making its insane.