Yesterday I had one of those “quirks” which I believe not many cameramen/directors have come across. Using multiple cameras recording on different cards, firestores etc.

Usually production would want to get the same camera across the job…but I wanted to push the boundaries a little! Showing that Sony, Panasonic cameras can be used on the same project….and the footage that they shoot can be brought together into the editing process seamlessly.

At the end of day both of these companies are helping each other with competition…and if we can avoid format wars the better for the consumer!

  I had 3*Ex3 (various w/s, c/a’s & c/u’s) and 1*HVX (shooting w/s and main sound as well documentary footage)…all shooting 1080/50i…. . After a quick lesson on the Ex3 with DOP Charlie Meyer…I set up the HVX to shoot on Firestore. The HVX had to record the sound off the mixing desk as there was no CD being produced….people forget that sound is half off it…and, usually, more important than vision as it harder to alter if recorded wrongly. So the HVX had the biggest responsibility, secure in the knowledge that the firestore is a reliable recording device and wouldn’t crash.

 All cameras were rolling and synced just before Jack Savoretti & the Suppliers got up onto Ronnie Scott’s stage….40 minutes and after a storming set…all cameras were still rolling to pick-up interviews with the band.

 With almost 4hrs of material shot…it was time to digitise it all into FCP. Bang…done in 2hrs. No problems whatsoever! P2 cards, ex3 SxS cards and Firestore all in and backed up!! It was the first time Charlie, Mark Rainsforth (editor) and myself had dealt with multi-format HD before…and we were all slightly tense but shouldn’t have worried.

So if you find yourself with EX3 in one hand and HVX in the another…don’t worry they work together.

All one happy family!

Sony EX3's supplied by Central Rental