On Tue, 5 Mar 2002 17:17:15 -0000, "Mikey" wrote:

>Having played around and show off with edited/modified holiday video's -
>I've been volunteered to shoot a video of a theatre musical - something
>serious....
>
>I have a tripod, know the basics of shooting video, plugged into the sound
>system (yet to be tested). The best place is in the middle of a row of seats
>of course so I'm fairly restricted where I can actually shoot from.
>
>The strategy so far appears to be shoot from a static position for 1
>performance and alter position and reshoot parts of interest on subsequent
>performances - then edit them together with Premiere...
>
>I'm only using a "home" JVC DV camcorder but would like the results to be
>vaguely competent...I can't find any web sites to help/advise, the only
>thing I've done is take note of how such things are represented on TV -
>anyone know of any tricks/tips/help in shooting such a thing?

It looks like you have the basics down (though it is easier
for synching later having 2-3 cameras running at the same
performance). BTW, you will need mic-level output from the
sound system - and you may need to buy/build a "pad" if the
sound system has no provision for this. It is also useful
to have a stereo track recorded in the "house" and not from
the "board" to provide ambience to the otherwise likely dry
sound from close-up mics, and to pick up audience reactions,
sound-effects, etc. Unless you have a good "fluid"-type
video head, pans and zooms may not be ideally smooth.
BTW, see:
http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/multi-camera.htm
for some advice on multi-camera editing in Premiere.
The most useful advice for this, though, is NEVER STOP
THE CAMERA (otherwise, synching many parts with
several tracks ***is***not***fun***! ;-).
Good luck with it.