#360 record and switching

Recording

Ones initial action when getting into filming is to get a camera and start shooting.  While that process might be beneficial and the outcome might be desirable a far more prudent method exists.  If you take the time to make the necessary preparations with regards to schedule and equipment the process will probably be more efficient if there was adequate for thought.  The equipment checklist prior to field work is critical, the interface is dependent on having the right cables.  All of the equipment will need a reliable power source and all the readers and recorders need to be in tune to capture the event.  Memory cards, optical disks, and hard drives have replaced the traditional videotape recording systems. 

The effect of switching from camera to camera in multi cam shoots can look seamless when done correctly and awkward when done wrong. Previewing sources allow the switcher operator to get the next show ready before switching to help eliminate most bad shots but if the director accidentally switches to a camera that was not the desired camera the footage can be disastrous. 

#360

Camera

Studios have many components and positions that are required to work in harmony to produce a show.  You can make the argument that the cameras are the most important piece of equipment because with out the cameras there would be no device to record the proceedings. The three major components of cameras are the imaging device, lens, and the view finder.  The imaging device converts light into electricity by its sensors converting the optical image into electrical impulses.  Picture elements also known as the compound "pixels" creates millions of image sensing elements that transform color and brightness into a specific electric charge that becomes the video signal.  The two main types of lenses are zoom and prime. Prime lenses are little bit sharper but do not have the ability to zoom in and out. The view finder displays what the camera is capturing in live real time. Two types of video are analog and digital.  Analog provides a continuous stream of information like a ramp.  Digital signal processing is broken into determined digitized steps that end up splitting the analog information into sections.  RGB red green and blue are the primary colors in which all other colors are mixed from on TV. 

In most productions more then one camera is used.  The director can switch back and forth from camera to camera based on the desired shot and dialogue. In a two camera system like we have at the studio at shepherd the left camera shots the actions on the right and the right camera shoots the action on the left.  The director can be in communication with the camera person to work on framing the next shot they want to switch to while the the camera is capturing the live action.  When the director switches to the camera they have been framing and setting up the director can starting framing the next shot with the camera that just had the shot and that process can be repeated throughout the whole show.

Lights

The phrase lights, camera, action is heavily associated with the all forms of the entertainment business.  Similarly to the chicken and the eggs relationship the light and camera partnership needs each other to survive.  Granted, advances in technology are making every effort to add specs to the camera to manipulate the light in the shot.  I believe there is a lot to be said about the old fashioned style of shooting the business successfully used before the spoils of technology.  The ability to place and manipulate lights can create the directors vision of what is captured and how the shot communicates with he audience.  The intensity or brightness of the light and the color of the light can create different effects.  

In a scene I am writing the main character is is going though a lot of pain and trepidation.  I would hope the lighting could capture the emotion through the characters face.  To capture a grimace or ache by the twitch in the corner of a persons mouth requires precision not only with the camera but with the lights as well.