Multi-cam Production Assignment
Production Diary
For this section of the assignment, I will explain the process I went through in order to create a completed multi-cam production to a professional standard.
A few months ago, I started a small project with a couple of friends. Our aim was to create live music videos for talented local musicians and upload them to our YouTube channel for exposure. We decided to go by the name of 'NorthGroupFilms' (or 'NGF'). For seven consecutive weeks, we recorded different musicians. We contacted Whinstone View and they were happy for us to use their newly converted barn as our set. We had visited the barn on multiple occasions before the shoot and I had assessed the area for risks, checked the number of plug sockets, in case we needed extension leads and had a rough idea of where the cameras would be placed.
I had never met the musician before the day of shooting, but I contacted his Facebook page and gave him all the information needed. I also gave a few contact numbers, which he could use if he had difficulty finding the barn.
On the day of the shoot, I picked up the camera equipment from the technicians, which I had previously booked out in advance. I met up with the other members of NGF and headed over to Great Ayton on a bus. Once we were at Whinstone View Barn, Dan and I discussed where the cameras should be placed. It took roughly an hour to set up the cameras and audio equipment, by which time the musician had arrived. He had some time to practice, while we set up and then we got straight into the recording. We used a clap to sync up the audio and visuals every time we had a new take. I decided to operate the camera closest to him, while Dan was watching over the camera at the back. The lenses I chose gave a nice depth of field between the musician and the bottles lined up on the bar behind him.
I also took these photos during the set, which were used as promos on our Facebook page for the upcoming video.
The audio from the performance was mixed and mastered by the audio engineers within NGF and then given to me via memory stick, which I could then import into Premiere Pro. I used the clap to easily sync up the visuals with the audio. I could then use nest the clips together, which made it easier to cut. It essentially allowed me to cut the video 'live' and I could then come back and tighten up the edit later.
Colour grading probably took the most time to do, as there were 3 different shots to match up. I used some tools built into Premiere Pro to help me out, such as the one used in this image. This allowed me to lock a frame into the bottom right corner, while I colour graded the top clip until they were both matched up.
I also added our company logo to the video. We didn't have a logo before the video, so I asked my friend (who happens to be a graphic design artist) if he would make us a logo. He sent me a few designs until I had something I liked and I ended up paying £10 for the end piece. I ended up inverting the colours for the video.
Final video.
Here's another two videos I completed from the same set.
Here are also some other multi-cam productions I completed by myself.
