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How to Determine the Number of Cameras for Your Conference Filming?

number of cameras for conference filming

Are you an event organizer thinking about promoting your conference? You already know that video coverage of the event is a great idea, but you are not sure where to start? Well, no need to worry, we can explain how to film a conference and choose the number of cameras for conference filming that you need.

Key Factors in Making the Decision

When deciding about the number of cameras for conference filming that you need to get, there are several factors to have in mind. Using multiple cameras would definitely make your footage better, but sometimes it would mean spending more money on something that is not essential. For that reason, you need to know if adding an additional camera is a necessity or a luxury. To make this decision easily there are certain things that you need to determine. How big is your conference, the size of the venue, what are the key parts of the event worth capturing and what types of videos you want to have as the final product. Let’s take a look at each part separately.

1. What Types of Videos Do You Need in Post-Production?

There are several types of event videos that you can consider producing, promo video, event recap video, speaker presentation videos and more. If you want to have only one short but memorable event recap video that will highlight the best parts of your event you need only one camera. In this case, you have to be careful choosing a professional videographer that will have the experience in recording such events. This type of video can be recorded with a regular DSLR camera enhanced with some good lenses and lighting equipment. Don’t forget the additional microphones for short interviews with attendees or speakers.

Here is an example where we have produced an event recap video recorded with only one camera:

In cases when you want to have separate videos produced from each of your speakers on top of making a highlights video, it goes without saying that you need a second camera. While your first camera is recording the speaker presentations, the second one will be taking interviews and filming b-roll. Shooting with two cameras will allow you to cover the essential parts of your conference. 

A third camera can be added to record testimonial videos. You can choose to have a third camera operator taking interviews with attendees that will help your second camera operator focus on the b-roll. On another note, having multiple cameras to film a conference will enable your team to record many different angles and create better footage that will make the job of the video editor much easier.

2. How big is your conference?

One thing is to add a second camera because you want to have a better look on your promo video and another thing is when you have to include it. For bigger events, when you have a conference at a venue with multiple rooms, each with speaker sessions on stage, adding a second camera is mandatory. You need to have a camera operator in each room and usually this camera is set on a tripod for static footage. 

Even if your stage is in one room, sometimes one camera is just not enough. When the room is big, one camera won’t capture the whole stage and your speaker might look like a small dot on the screen. It goes without saying that you have to consider 2 cameras for this type of conference.

Some event organizers add the second camera for effect – they would like to present the stage from two different angles and this looks very professional. Tedx Talks always go for this choice.

Another example we have is the Web Summit – this annual event takes place at the enormous Alice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. Having in mind that the center stage is in the Arena which is huge, the organizers are using more than 3 or 4 cameras to record the sessions. To make a bigger impression and to capture each angle, other than the stationary cameras they add floating cameras to make drone-like footage.

3. Are you going to live stream the event?

It’s no news that a live stream of your event is a great idea. If you are planning on doing this, always count an extra camera. You will need one camera to perform the live streaming and another one to record the speaker sessions. Another option is to switch between two different camera angles on your live stream. An experienced video crew will be able to enable this for you, connecting both cameras and your off-location audience can feel like they are present, watching the stage from different angles. 

However, this is not an easy task and it requires a bit higher budget.

4. What’s your budget? – This Will Determine the Number of Cameras for Conference Filming

This might be the most crucial question that you need to ask yourself. Are you ready to spend more money and create an incredible highlights video recorded with multiple cameras or try to cover all aspects of the event with less. Don’t worry, you can do both. You don’t have to be discouraged if you have a limited budget. If you plan this part well, you can cover the speaker presentation room with one camera and record b-roll and interviews with a second camera. However, remember that you need to have a shooting schedule and give good instructions to your videographers. You don’t want them to miss out on the best shots and then have problems in the video editing process.

Before you get to this part, think about the look and feel of the video you want to produce, the budget that you have and choose your team wisely. With a team of professionals, you don’t have to worry about any of this – they will help you determine how many cameras you need for your conference, what kind of equipment and will guide you through the video production process. Even with a lower budget you can create amazing videos, just give us a call and the local video crew will do their best to help.

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