How Many Cameras Do You Need for a Video Production?
Any video production requires a certain amount of equipment, not all of which is apparent. For instance, needing a camera on set is obvious, but an easy detail to overlook or underestimate is how many recording devices you’ll need.
But how many cameras do you need for a video production? The answer is not so straightforward; let’s go through the details you need to remember when choosing the number of cameras for your shoot.
Application Advantages
The advantage provided by any number of video cameras varies per application. For instance, doing a live-streamed Q&A with fans on social media typically only requires one angle to create a more direct connection. However, interviews often benefit from setting up two or more video cameras. This primarily comes down to pacing—watching a static image of two people talking can become dull to some viewers after a while.
However, having a more diverse list of angles to pivot to will help you visually direct the conversation to match what the subject is saying. For this same reason, one of the primary ways to properly shoot event videography is to scout the location in advance—you’ll be able to find precisely the angles you need for the video content. So, the first way to determine the number of cameras you need is to lay out the shots you need for overall pacing and visual storytelling. That said, every production has a budget to consider, too.
Balancing Budgets
Once you determine the types of shots you will need in your production, you can narrow in on how much it will cost you to gather the hardware. If the number of cameras you need surpasses the budget you have to work with, it’s time to get creative. Even the most professional video production can benefit from quick, creative solutions for managing the budget.
If you need three cameras but only have the budget for one or two, consider how you can utilize your current cameras to deliver the visual storytelling necessary for the project. Visual storytelling is often associated with filmmaking, but any visual element in any video can tell a story to support the content. Even B-roll footage during interviews or documentaries allows for a closer look at what is being said, which can be invaluable to engaging the audience.
Preparing Backups
The number of cameras you need for a video production is a detail that doesn’t solely pertain to the cameras you know you’ll use. Simply put, even if your production only requires one camera angle, it’s beneficial to bring more than one so that you have a backup. That way, if you run into technical difficulties or find significant damage on your primary camera, you can swiftly switch to the backup and get right back to filming. After analyzing these tips, you can provide your production with the proper number of cameras for many different applications.