What would be the best way to Film/ Record a Rugby/Football Match?

Question

Our team is going on tour and I am wondering which would be the best way to record the matches. I don't want anything too complex like mixing decks. Just to record onto HDV cam(s) and then edit in Final Cut Pro.

Would it be better to use a glidecam 2000/4000 pro + smooth cam and run around the pitch getting close up shots or would it be better to have a scaffolding and a tripod?

I am going to be using the sony pro range with either the

sony HDR-FX1 or the Sony HVR-A1E? any recommendations on other cameras to use?

Should I set up shotgun's for sound or just use the camera's built in?

Anything else anybody might know what I would need?

All comments appropriate are much appreciated!

Answer 1

I film the lacrosse games at my high school and if you're going to film the complete game, then the only way to go is with a scaffolding and a tripod. This way you can zoom in on the pitches and then zoom out to get full coverage.

And a standard DV camera would probably be the best kind of camera to go with, much better with quick movements than the High-Def cameras. Something more like a Sony VX2000, or the Canon GL2 would be good alternatives. The GL2 has optical image stabilization which stabilizes the image even before light hits the lens.  

I don't know what your situation is but with me I either lay music over it or completely cut the sound out so the audio doesn't completely matter.

Answer 2

HDV isn't usually first choice for recording sports - it doesn't handle movement as well as DV.  If you're running the line it'll be difficult to give an overall impression of how the match is being played, but if you go for a bird's eye view you'll miss the excitement of the close ups - it's a tough call.  On the assumption that you're not going to record the full 80 mins I think the hand held option would be better - you can always move up into the stands and get some overall views.  If the pitches you're playing on don't have stands I'm sure the bars will be overlooking them!