Planning Multi Camera - Equipment and Risks

The equipment needed will be:

• 3 x cameras
• 3 x SD cards
• 3 x tripods
• 1 x boom mic + cable
• Lighting - 2 to 3 studio lights and the overhead fluorescent lights if needed 
• Clapper board
• Gaffer/Duct tape

During days of filming numerous videos the cameras must be turned off when not filming to preserve battery life and in between shoots the cameras must go back on charge so that it does not affect the next shoot by running out of charge. Cameras should not be used on charge if possible as an additional noise can be picked up and heard, affecting the quality of the sound for the video. At the end of a shoot/day the cameras must go on charge for the next day.

After every shoot it is important to take the SD cards out of the cameras and copy the footage off and delete it ready for the next shoot, if the next shoot isn't the next day then the SD cards must go back in the box so that there are not lost, misplaced or forgotten which would affect the schedule of filming the next video.

The tripods should be set up and moved for each shoot, they could easily be moved therefore we cannot rely on them being in the exact place the next shoot. They also pose a hazard by getting in the way, so when shooting is finished tripods need to be folded down and put away neatly but as to reduce risk of damage or injury but during filming the crew need to take care when moving around and reduce the amount of moving they do, staying in position as much as possible.

The boom mic needs to be as close to the presenters' heads/mouths in order to record the sound this causes a possible problem as the booms could fall onto the presenters' heads if the operator is not taking care or thought or getting distracted. 

Lights pose a hazard as if they are left turned on for too long they can overheat, this is dangerous to the crew as they could accidentally burn themselves on it or the bulb could pop, but some lights have a safety feature where they will turn off to prevent damage to the light. To avoid the risk, lights should be turned off frequently during the filming. 

The clapperboard will be very important for syncing the videos, since all 3 will be filming the scene at the same it will be important that everything adds up in perfect time and sync, it also allows for one recorded sound (boom) to be used across all 3 angles. 

Duct tape is going to be useful to tape down the black background sheet on the floor to reduce the risk of tripping for the crew. It will also be needed to tape down any wires from the boom or cameras that could cause a tripping hazard or if pulled damage equipment. It is the director or floor manager's job to make sure any wires are taped down and that the crew are not in danger or at risk. 

The other risks identified were:

• people - only essential people should be in the room to avoid it from getting too hot; people also pose a hazard as they can get in the way, to avoid this people should stay in position during filming limiting walking around. 
• electricity - if too many plugs from cameras, lights etc are plugged into one mains socket it causes problems such as fire, electrocution, sorting; to prevent this plugs need to be plugged into a variety of sockets and to be turned off when not in use.