Looking to set-up a video production with two Xl1 canon camcorder ,how would I go about with this project?

Answer 1

You might want to get sound separately, since the two cams are going to be in different locations, and switching back and forth will have a noticeable difference in your sound. Get a minidisc recorder and a shotgun mic, and put the mic on a boom pole, and use that to get the sound. Preferably get a sound mixer if there is enough money, or you have access to one, and have one person run a mixer, the other one hold the pole, then feed the mixer signal into the minidisc recorder. This will ensure balanced audio for constantly changing sound conditions. Get a clapboard, or make one yourself, and before every take, clap to get sound synched with video. Of course all of the above applies only if two cams are shooting simultaneously for multiple coverage at one location. If you are doing different units, then getting a minidisc recorder isnt that big of a deal unless the location of the camera, mic, and actors forces you to get a separate sound recorder. Why am I mentioning sound so much? Dont get me wrong, I care about picture way more than sound, which is kind of hypocritical, but its always sound that makes or breaks a video or film. Next time you watch a local commercial pay attention, everything can be good, but if sound is awful, the commercial is "average" instead of "great." Same with movies. Great soundtracks make movies "awesome" instead of "good."

Of course I didnt forget the picture aspect. Since you have two cameras, you have to decide on how you are going to use them. Like I said, one way is to do a scene with mulitple coverage, which I think is probably the best way you can use your cameras. This way, you finish your scenes faster, and you only have to worry about one sound file, instead of two video tracks AND two audio tracks. However, the disadvantages are that in certain shots, two cameras just wont physically fit into the space needed. Also, this is getting two shots in the time of one. In some scenes, you don't want or need extra coverage (although it doesnt hurt, and helps in post), and you will be back to normal speed. Also, if you have to wait days for locations, it still wont speed up your production, because you wouldve had to wait that long anyways.

You could also do two separate units, but depending on time and budget this probably isnt feasible. You would need communication and/or a means of transportation from one set to another, not to mention an increased crew, more equipment (double everything except cameras, which you already have, for each set), and also whether you will have access to two sets/locations at the same time. However, if this is possible for you, then it will speed up your production time dramatically, because two scenes can be done for the time of one, at different locations, instead of waiting for locations.

Well I hope this helped somewhat, and if it did, you know what to do :-).

Answer 2

Well, if you were going to be setting up a video production company, you are going to need:

A 3-CCD camcorder (Which you have)

A Heavy Duty Tripod

A good shotgun microphone

An editing station and programs

Actors and crew

If the entire production company is going to be run by you, then you need to write the scripts, shoot the film, and edit it. If not, I suggest you hire/get some people for all of that.

The above objects are merely suggestions, but you should have them. Also, if you could afford it, I would suggest buying two camcorders, but that may be a stretch, but it is worth it.

Make sure the editing station you own has plenty of memory (at least 300GB) and a fast processor (preferebly a duel-processor)

I hope I helped you.

Answer 3

The XL1 and XL2 the two record to tapes ( i think of that what you propose) they are the two digital, they supply you a extra suitable high quality video than utilising Sd or HDD its all right down to compression. Tape documents each physique sd and HDD do no longer (reduces the document length) so for on the spot action, you could no longer beat a tape based digicam. The XL1 you could throw approximately extra suitable then the XL2 (extra of a brick). Tape based cameras in basic terms shrink back is the time it takes to seize the video, yet once you think approximately the time it takes to transform sd card HDD video to a layout you could edit there is not any longer something in it. once you purchase your digicam confirm you be attentive to what number tapes has been used in it, how commonly is became serviced, they'd have the flexibility to tell you this, if no longer walk away. it might desire to fee you lots of money. additionally verify the customary of the recordings, record some video and watch it (no longer on the digicam) by ability of a show, and seek for any problems with the video/audio) sturdy success RR