Multi Camera Shooting - Theory vs. Practice

THEORY

I am very familiar with video production, but my background is in video production that is NOT live. It was very interesting to learn the theories behind live television production and a multi-camera live production. This has never been an interest of mine, and I didn't know all of what it entailed. Watching behind the scenes videos of multi-camera live productions was by far the most rewarding part of our in class theory.

After watching Hamilton Hamish do his job, I had a definite shift in how I viewed live production. I also didn't realize how fun it might be do be a director or operator in a multi-camera live production. While watching this BTS footage, I had a lot of questions about the communication and planning aspects of a live production. I understood the use of headsets and the understanding that no one speaks unless spoken to by the guy pulling the strings, but how was everyone on the same page with little to no rehearsal time with an on tour band? I know, from my experience in video production that is NOT live, that you may need to try the same shot over and over again. You could double or triple the amount of tries, if you are trying to explain it to someone else.. How, then, could you tell someone, live, what to do and get it right the first time? How could they possibly know what you mean, if you've never shot at that location or with the talent, before? This is where practice came in to play..

PRACTICE

I was surprised about how fun the live production process actually was! Getting into a studio that nobody has used before, and working jobs that we have never worked (especially live) before actually produced some decent results! It was nice to get in and just have a go at the different jobs, after they had been described to us. It was shaky and not very good, but it was, at the same time, decent!

While working live, I realized the importance of communication. To answer the question at the end of the theory section, properly and efficiently communicating instruction, questions, and ideas is the easiest way to combat NOT having any re-shooting. You can't give or receive vague instructions like "OK, now zoom in on him." Who is "him"? How far should I zoom in? Is my camera on air? Do you want a slow zoom that goes on air? Or, should I adjust the frame as quickly as possible so that you can cut to me? Do you want the framing centered or following the rule of thirds?

To combat some of these new questions, planning with stand-ins was good practice. However, it still left some questions. I believe that coming up with definitive words and phrases that are universally known to and used by the crew would be essential to pulling off a real production. Letting camera people know if they are live and SPECIFICALLY what they are being asked to do is so important.

I also think that practicing with fake talent - or just working as a team a lot - would help the process become fluid and successful. Working with fake talent would allow planning "if then" strategies. Working as a team would allow for mistakes and learning your team's mannerisms and the meanings behind them, as well as getting used to the specific terminology that the team decides on.

In summation, both theory and practice are essential to learn something like a multi-camera live video production. Both theory and practice bring up and answer vital questions to the process of a successful video production.