Second Camera for shooting live theatre recomendations?

Question

I am helping with the production of a live performance of The Wizard of Oz. The director of this production asked me if I could film the show. I have one camcorder (Canon HV20), and I require one other camera for shooting this (to swap between angles and such). The problem with the Canon is that you cannot change white balance while shooting, unless the camera is in auto mode.

The second camera will be rented, and I want it to be easy enough to learn how to use (maybe a week to learn the basics). It must be able to change white balance while shooting, preform at least somewhat well in the dark (HV20 isn't too great at it), record to tape, and I hope it is mixable with the HV20 footage, at least somewhat, but that is not required. I don't care if it is a big prosumer camera, but it should be at least cheap enough to rent (I don't know if I'm paying anyway). Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

You don't have to shoot everything at one performance - you can at least record the dress rehearsal as well.  You'll have more options if the audience isn't getting in the way.

Answer 2

Interesting that you want to change white balance WHILE shooting... Typically, set white balance before shooting and stay set throughout the shot - at least that is how I was taught. For multiple camcorders, set their white balance on the same white card under the same light at the same time.

Anyway, the BEST method would be to have both cameras be the same. If the cameras are different and it is obvious, *most* folks won't care, many won't notice... and the few that do notice and actually say something should step up and work with you on the capture and edit.

The Canon HV20 can shoot in high definition (by definiton, 16:9 - widescreen) and standard definition (4:3 and 16:9). It can also shoot in 24p mode - which many camcorders do not do. Your task will be to be sure you get to the appropriate lowest common denominator. It would be odd if one camera was capturing 1080i hidef and the other 4:3 standard def.

Since we don't know what rentals are available to you I guess several different models would be appropriate. I suggest that you try to limit yourself to Canon or Sony for the rental unit.

At the low end, the Canon GL2 is a standard definition miniDV based camcorder. If you use this camcorder, 4:3 standard def for both camcorders is suggested.

The Sony DCR-VX2000 or VX2100 would be the next up - though it is a standard def camcorder, you could capture at standard def widescreen.

Beyond this, you move into the HDV environment - like the HV20... so if the rental shop has

Sony HDR-FX1, DCR-FX7, HDR-V1U, HDR-Z1U

They should be fine.

The Canon XHA1 would work, too - but it, along with the XL2 (standard def only) have a bit of a learning curve.

Panasonic DVX100 and HDX200 are great camcorders, but along with their learning curve, their widescreen is "anamorphic" and handled differently when imported to video editors... so you are sort of stuck with 4:3 standard def.

For what it is worth, this video was shot with a Panasonic DVX100 (wide shot) and a Sony HDR-HC1 (handheld)

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseactio...

The "common denominator" of the two cameras is 4:3 standard definition.

Your next assignment will be figuring out how to mic the performance... The good news is that all of the camcorders in this post have some sort of audio-in jack... either dual XLR or 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo...