Multicam Production FILM CAMERA SYSTEM
Once a concept is story boarded with a possible MULTICAM effect, a production meeting to discuss the options is suggested. Although MULTICAM is extremely flexible in layout and operation, there is a lot of planning necessary ahead of time to take full advantage. Both the speed and ease of production on the shoot day can be increased with a detailed plan and understanding of the system by the Producer, Director, First AD, and DP. The pre-production plan should include the length of the shot, which is determined by the number of cameras, as well as camera angles, camera path, and timing of action.
Film for the MULTICAM is usually the same movie stock that the rest of the production will use. Part of the film that is bought for the production is rolled into standard 35mm still camera canisters, providing a good match with the other footage on the shoot. The rolls are 36 exposures with the first and last few shots for slating and safety. Before each major move, the cameras are unloaded.
On the morning of the shoot, MULTICAM is set up on a track which has been pre-rigged for the first setup. A prep day on location is only necessary for the most complicated setups. Most setups require about 4-5 (1 hour per 25 cameras on standard set-up) hours before shooting. During that time it is important that the director be available for short periods to choose aim points, focus points, and check that the "move" is correct. A move can be previewed by capturing one frame of video through each camera, and assembling a clip of motion footage. The director can rehearse the action and timing, and watch the results with four video cameras which each show the moment at which the camera at that point of view would have fired.
Motion picture cameras can be set up at the beginning and end of the MULTICAM track to lead-in and lead-out of the effect, but must be matched approximately to the spacing, focal length, and framing of the still cameras.
Cameras are then loaded and checked, and slated with a large digital readout to mark each roll of film with the camera number.
When exposure settings and a timing sequence have been loaded, MULTICAM is fired by a red button at the end of a long cable. A director can fire the system himself, or we will provide a trained finger. For more accurate timing, we have optical beam triggers, proximity sensors, or contact switches; all with programmable delay. Pyrotechnics or other effects can be synchronized to MULTICAM through the computer. After each take, the four video signals showing the moment of firing for each perspective can be viewed to see if you got the shot. One or more identical secondary cameras are loaded with Polaroid instant positive film provide a very accurate preview of what was shot; the film can be developed in five minutes.
Two or three different MULTICAM setups can be accomplished in the same day, depending on complexity of the setup and move, as well as the number of cameras used. Strike requires about one hour at the end of the shooting day, again depending on the complexity.
MULTICAM is ready to ship anywhere in the world with all of the major components in tough road cases. It is possible to arrange for some local labor to reduce the size of the traveling crew.
