On paper, shooting with two (or more) cameras sounds like a time-saving hack: more coverage, fewer takes, smoother edits. And in some cases, it can be really wonderful. However, for indie directors working with limited resources, multi-cam setups can be a double-edged sword.

Used strategically, they can elevate a scene. Used poorly, they can slow production, compromise your lighting, and make post-production a headache.

Here’s what you need to know before you roll two (or more) cameras.

Advantages of Shooting Multi-Cam

1. Faster Coverage (If Properly Planned)
Two cameras can double your coverage, but can they double your fun? Getting multiple angles in one take, or capturing both sides of a conversation. This can drastically reduce your shot list if your blocking, lighting, and camera movement are all planned for it. When done right, you wrap faster and keep the momentum going.

2. More Natural Performances
For actors, multi-cam is a blessing. Yes, that’s right, we care about actors here! During high-stakes emotional scenes, they can give everything at once, and you preserve every nuance from multiple angles. No need to match tears, trembling hands, or pauses across several takes. You also avoid performance drift and continuity issues. Thie rolls right into the next one…

3. Seamless Editing Possibilities
Cutting between angles within the same take gives your editor flexibility and polish. It’s easier to cut mid-gesture or line without jarring rhythm or timing. The result? A more organic edit that feels alive and dynamic.

The Hidden Costs of Multi-Cam

1. Lighting Compromises
Lighting for one camera is precision work. Lighting for two (especially when shooting opposing angles or varying shot sizes) often leads to compromises. You might have to flatten or soften your lighting just to keep everything looking acceptable from both angles, or spend more time rigging and adjusting to accommodate both views. Often time we will do “beauty” adjustments for a close up on an actor, and this will mean that "beauty” adjustment will need to cover multiple actors. Either way, there’s the potential to lose the time you thought you were saving. If you don’t have enough lights or manpower to make this feasible, is it really saving you time on set?

2. Sound Challenges
We also care about our sound mixers here, as you should as well! Unless you have multiple boom operators (rare on an indie set), sound becomes a balancing act. If one camera is shooting a wide and the other a close-up (what I refer to as “The Dreaded Wide-And-Tight”), you are sacrificing sound quality. Your boom has to stay out of the wide, meaning your close-up won’t get the crisp, clean dialogue it deserves from a closer microphone placement. Even if both cameras are shooting close-ups, it only works if they’re relatively near each other. If not, you risk muddy or inconsistent audio, which can haunt your post team as well as your dreams.

3. Restricted Camera Placement
Two cameras can’t occupy the same space. That’s just physics. That means you’re often compromising one angle to make room for the other. It limits creativity and framing options, especially in small or complex locations. You may find yourself settling for “what works” instead of what looks great just because you want to shoot with two cameras simultaneously.

When Multi-Cam Does Make Sense

1. Dialogue-Heavy Scenes with Minimal Movement
When two actors are seated or staying relatively still (like across a table or side-by-side) two cameras can cleanly cover both performances without interfering with each other.

2. High-Emotion Performances
Breakdowns. Confessions. Climactic showdowns. These moments can be hard to repeat at full intensity. Multi-cam lets you capture every raw beat, ensuring you never miss the magic.

3. FX, Stunt, and Action Sequences
Sometimes, there’s no option for a second take. Maybe you’re blowing up a car, smashing a practical prop, or lighting a stunt performer on fire. FX gags and stunts are time-consuming, expensive, and risky to reset. In these moments, you want every possible angle. When you only get one shot at it, multi-cam is essential.

4. Limited Shoot Days or Actor Availability
On a tight schedule or with hard-out talent, getting coverage quickly can be critical. Two cameras can help you make the day if the scene is logistically simple and crew is ready. Sometimes in the indie world, you just have to make it work.

Multi-cam shooting is not a magic bullet, but it is a powerful tool. And like any tool, it needs the right job. Used wisely, it can speed up your shoot and enhance your edit. Used carelessly, it can derail both.

So ask yourself:

Can the location be lit properly for both angles?
Will sound suffer from split camera positions?
Will both cameras add value to the scene, or just clutter?

Prep smart, collaborate with your DoP and sound mixer, and don’t be afraid to use single-cam when it’s the better choice.

What To Know When Shooting Two Cameras on Your Indie Film

On paper, shooting with two (or more) cameras sounds like a time-saving hack: more coverage, fewer takes, smoother edits. And in some cases, it can be really wonderful. However, for indie directors working with limited resources, multi-cam setups can be a double-edged sword.

Used strategically, they can elevate a scene. Used poorly, they can slow production, compromise your lighting, and make post-production a headache.

Here’s what you need to know before you roll two (or more) cameras.

Advantages of Shooting Multi-Cam

3. Seamless Editing Possibilities
Cutting between angles within the same take gives your editor flexibility and polish. It’s easier to cut mid-gesture or line without jarring rhythm or timing. The result? A more organic edit that feels alive and dynamic.

The Hidden Costs of Multi-Cam

When Multi-Cam Does Make Sense

1. Dialogue-Heavy Scenes with Minimal Movement
When two actors are seated or staying relatively still (like across a table or side-by-side) two cameras can cleanly cover both performances without interfering with each other.

2. High-Emotion Performances
Breakdowns. Confessions. Climactic showdowns. These moments can be hard to repeat at full intensity. Multi-cam lets you capture every raw beat, ensuring you never miss the magic.

4. Limited Shoot Days or Actor Availability
On a tight schedule or with hard-out talent, getting coverage quickly can be critical. Two cameras can help you make the day if the scene is logistically simple and crew is ready. Sometimes in the indie world, you just have to make it work.

Multi-cam shooting is not a magic bullet, but it is a powerful tool. And like any tool, it needs the right job. Used wisely, it can speed up your shoot and enhance your edit. Used carelessly, it can derail both.

So ask yourself:

Can the location be lit properly for both angles?

Will sound suffer from split camera positions?

Will both cameras add value to the scene, or just clutter?

Prep smart, collaborate with your DoP and sound mixer, and don’t be afraid to use single-cam when it’s the better choice.

What To Know When Shooting Two Cameras on Your Indie Film

On paper, shooting with two (or more) cameras sounds like a time-saving hack: more coverage, fewer takes, smoother edits. And in some cases, it can be really wonderful. However, for indie directors working with limited resources, multi-cam setups can be a double-edged sword.

Used strategically, they can elevate a scene. Used poorly, they can slow production, compromise your lighting, and make post-production a headache.

Here’s what you need to know before you roll two (or more) cameras.

Advantages of Shooting Multi-Cam

3. Seamless Editing PossibilitiesCutting between angles within the same take gives your editor flexibility and polish. It’s easier to cut mid-gesture or line without jarring rhythm or timing. The result? A more organic edit that feels alive and dynamic.

The Hidden Costs of Multi-Cam

When Multi-Cam Does Make Sense

1. Dialogue-Heavy Scenes with Minimal MovementWhen two actors are seated or staying relatively still (like across a table or side-by-side) two cameras can cleanly cover both performances without interfering with each other.

2. High-Emotion PerformancesBreakdowns. Confessions. Climactic showdowns. These moments can be hard to repeat at full intensity. Multi-cam lets you capture every raw beat, ensuring you never miss the magic.

4. Limited Shoot Days or Actor AvailabilityOn a tight schedule or with hard-out talent, getting coverage quickly can be critical. Two cameras can help you make the day if the scene is logistically simple and crew is ready. Sometimes in the indie world, you just have to make it work.

Multi-cam shooting is not a magic bullet, but it is a powerful tool. And like any tool, it needs the right job. Used wisely, it can speed up your shoot and enhance your edit. Used carelessly, it can derail both.

So ask yourself:

Can the location be lit properly for both angles?

Will sound suffer from split camera positions?

Will both cameras add value to the scene, or just clutter?

Prep smart, collaborate with your DoP and sound mixer, and don’t be afraid to use single-cam when it’s the better choice.

3. Seamless Editing Possibilities
Cutting between angles within the same take gives your editor flexibility and polish. It’s easier to cut mid-gesture or line without jarring rhythm or timing. The result? A more organic edit that feels alive and dynamic.

1. Dialogue-Heavy Scenes with Minimal Movement
When two actors are seated or staying relatively still (like across a table or side-by-side) two cameras can cleanly cover both performances without interfering with each other.

2. High-Emotion Performances
Breakdowns. Confessions. Climactic showdowns. These moments can be hard to repeat at full intensity. Multi-cam lets you capture every raw beat, ensuring you never miss the magic.

4. Limited Shoot Days or Actor Availability
On a tight schedule or with hard-out talent, getting coverage quickly can be critical. Two cameras can help you make the day if the scene is logistically simple and crew is ready. Sometimes in the indie world, you just have to make it work.