Filming a Great Concert

I wasn't in class today because I was filming a concert at the Syracuse Academy of Science. I brought 2 DSLR cameras, and 2 tripods.I found a really cool spot to shoot one of the cameras from.
Here is me discovering the space...

I set up one camera above the gym and I got a really cool shot of all the kids coming into the gym.
Here it is!

I used the other camera to film close-ups. We had a 40 minute sound check (which is a lot longer than usual) so I used that time to film the chorus members and Jan. I got some interesting angles, including one angle that had half the floor in it. I could use the floor to put text in it or something.

During the time that I was filming the kids watching the concert I tried to keep the camera hidden. I wanted completely candid shots. This was challenging so I created an elaborate strategy...

Step 1: Look around the audience for the most enthusiastic kid, don't be afraid to move around.
Step 2: Find a place to position yourself near the subject (the happy kid).
Step 3: Start recording and focus the camera on the subject.
Step 4: The subject had noticed you and your camera and will be focused on you instead of the show for a little bit. Just wait... Ignore the camera and act interested in the concert. After a while the subject will stop feeling that he is being filmed and will fall back into the concert.
BOOM! Your in! Don't blow it! Don't make any sudden movements. Slyly check the display to make sure that you are still focused on the subject. Then... just smile and wave... Don't go out of your way to film candid moments. They will come to you. Patience.
Step 5: Wait for the applause at the end of the song. Your mission isn't over until the subject has clapped with a big smile on their face.
Step 6: The subject may be completely adorable and you may not want to leave them. Understand that this is normal, but you need to do your best to move on and get footage of different kids aswell. Stand up, and go back to Step 1 for the next song.


Upcoming Schedule
Tuesday
Create a list of questions for interviews
Wednesday 12:20 at South Hill Elementary
Interview Principle
Thursday 8:15 AM at BJM
Interviewing a Teacher
Meeting with Mentor
Friday
Plan for the shooting tomorrow
Go through footage 8th period
Saturday 8:15-1:00
Film the "Elmira Walk Concert"
Sunday
Go through footage, organize
Reflect on week and pushing boundaries