• Before you can add your own film to the site you will need to be a contributing member of our filmmaking community.

    Join the site to remove ads and read more about How to Submit Film.

Filming a Band

tommorrow morning im filming my friends band play at a big outside festival. ive never really filmed a band and was just wondering some tips and how i should do this. i think we will have 2 cameras, but i dont think either of us have a tripod. so when you film bands do you usually stay on the singer? keep the whole band in the shot? what tips can you leave me? and they dont really care about sound, ill just use what pics up on my cameras mic.
 
Might be useful to try and get a tripod, since you'll be zooming in (not IN the shot, but you wont be standing really close, so you'll have to zoom in before you take the shot, if you get what I mean) you're going to get some camera shake.

I've never filmed a band before, but I'm going to try and give you some advice, or babble about how I would do it.

On music videos and concerts these days, the camera guy really likes to get under the singer. Some of the angles are annoying, but have you noticed how the camera is pointing up - almost under the singers chin?

Don't stay on the singer too much. Since you have two cameras, you could work out something between you, for example you could take all the far away shots, or most of them, or whatever - and the other person could do most of the closer shots.

If the lead guitarist is having a solo, focus on him/her, and then maybe move to camera to see how the other band members are interacting. If the other members are standing still, then just stay on the guitarist. You don't want to hold the camera on the singer, if he or she is doing nothing. Same goes for anyone who's soloing, or looks particulary interesting.

You'll edit later, so make sure you have a good range of shots that show the WHOLE band, and some of it, then bits with just certain members. Remember to show the drummer at least once, depending on how close you are you can do some cool tricks with the camera. People often forget to give the drummer a moment of glory, so try and put him/her in. (no I'm not a drummer :P)

I'll edit this if I think of something more interesting to say. Good luck!

-Chris
 
here's what I would do: Use one camera to get a master. It doesn't have to be static, but tell the operator to always have a shot (that means slow zooms, pans, etc.). If you can beg/borrow/steal a tripod, put this camera on a tripod. Then for the other camera, get close ups, and insert shots. This camera won't always have to keep a composed shot because the other camera will always be there for coverage. If you get a second tripod, keep it extended but with the legs closed (or get a monopod). Use it to get high or low angle shots. you'll find you have a lot more creative options if you can raise the camera 6 feet above your head and sweep it around.
 

Best Reviewed Films

Back
Top