Multi-Camera Production Comm 360 Blog 1

     Before starting my journey at Shepherd University I was able to experience some multi-camera shooting in high school.  Each day I would play a part in producing the morning announcements and I was also able to gain crucial experience in producing a news show and a talk show.  From the time I started doing this in ninth grade, I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing for a long time.  As my high school journey ended, I was sad to see such a wonderful part of my life ending too.  However, I knew that at some point during my college career I would be able to do this again and maybe even make a career out of it one day!  In the past several weeks of the semester I have realized that although I gained excellent experience in high school, I have so much I want to learn because I generally enjoy being a part of mutli-camera production and even more I need to learn if I ever decide to pursue a career in the field.
      Before my class was able to actually jump into producing any type of show, we were able to watch some of the work of Hamish Hamilton and see the different types of things that really go on behind the scenes of a multi-camera production.  Hamilton has directed many big events that have either been broadcasted live, like award shows, or shows that were turned into DVDs, like the U2 concert.    Here is the video of a Kanye West performance Hamilton directed for an awards show. 

 

     Obviously the work that Hamilton does and the work that I will be involved in this semester lie on two completely different ends of the spectrum.  It is important to keep in mind, though, that the basics of multi-camera production stay the same.  Audio and lighting are two very important things whether you are directing Kanye West or a small talk show.  The audio needs to be checked before hand to ensure that the audience will be able to leisurely listen and a lot of thought needs to go into the lighting to ensure the best quality and look.  Also, many people are involved in a multi-camera shoot and it is vital that everyone is on board and is cognizant of their jobs.  Everyone must function as a team and corporate with one another. 

   There are a lot of differences between a shoot like Hamilton's and a shoot my class will be producing, though.  While Hamilton's work is broadcasted to millions of people live, the work I will be doing in the studio will be prerecorded and may reach hundreds of people.  In addition, Hamilton's work is incredibly fast-paced and really exciting.  Although the work I will be doing is exciting, Hamilton's work is on a whole different level.  Also, in my setting, there is room for mistakes and error.  After all, it is a college class where learning will be taking place and editing can be done.  If something does not work, the class can work together to fix it for the next show.  However, Hamilton has one chance to get it right and one chance only.  His career literally depends upon it. 

     Overall, the experience I will get out of my class is not anywhere near the experience I would receive if I worked with Hamilton.  But, I am in no way, shape, or form prepared to work with someone like Hamilton until I have much more knowledge and experience under my belt.  I sincerely look forward to learning all the ins and outs of multi-camera production during the course of the semester and maybe one day I can become involved with award shows, sports games, and concerts.

A Multi-Camera Production