It was Andy Warhol who said, "In the future, everyone will be world famous for fifteen minutes." And since then everybody has been trying to find his or her fifteen minutes. One of the most popular ways of seeking out that elusive fame is "fifteen minutes on the Jerry Springer Show." But there’s another expression that could be very similar. And that is "In the future, everybody will make an appearance with their band on stage someplace. For at least fifteen minutes." And this How2 is for those budding musicians seeking to get their fifteen minutes while they’re still young enough to enjoy it.

In June of this year, we wrote about Scott Kinley of Herrin, Illinois who did a live three-camera video of their 5-day Fiesta, and discovered that the XCam2 worked wonders for their live stage production.  Every performer likes to have a record of their performances. With these copies, the performer can show their talent/gig/set to their friends, their family, a possible agent, the producer at EMI records, or whatever other lucky breaks might come along. So when you go to set up your concerts, we’re going to show you how to make a record of that using the WideEye InstantOn, InstantOn.  For live show recording like this, it is crucial that you eliminate the warm-up time between cameras, and the InstantOn does that. The InstantOn Camera makes a seamless switch between cameras so that your video will run smoothly.

If you're using four or fewer cameras, then you'll want to use the ScanPad Remote.  If you're using four or more cameras, then a ScanPower Director Remote will be the remote of choice.  Of course don’t forget the TV and VCR. And since you’ll probably be up there on the stage shining brightly for the audience, it might not be a bad idea to have someone there in the background running the equipment (but you knew that).

So let’s get started. The first thing you want to do is set up the XCam2 WideEye where it can see the whole stage. You want to make sure it’s a good, clear angle that really highlights the band as a whole. Then set up the XCam2 where it will give a closer view of the band members. Depending on your band’s size, you may want to have several cameras planted around the stage at different angles to get the pictures. Just make sure that the cameras are out of the way. If, for example, you choose to put a camera on the floor and aim it up to get the vocalist, make sure that you protect the camera so that the vocalist doesn’t step on it.

Now give your ScanPower Remote to whomever you plan to have running the video operation of the show.

So here’s what you do.

First thing you’ve got to do is set up your equipment. For that, you’re on your own, as each band has their own way of setting up their instruments.

Hook up the wireless receiver to your VCR.

Once you’re set and ready to go, plan out where you want your cameras to go. As we suggested earlier, set them up where they’ll get the best angle.

On the power supply of the XCam2 WideEye, set the address at A1.

On the power supply of the XCam2, set the address at A2.

You can use as many cameras as you want, focusing on any part of the performance you want to target. For instance, you can have the Vocal Cam, the Drum Cam, the Guitar Cam. It’s your video, you decide.

Now wait for the announcement. You may want to get that on tape as well. "Ladies and Gentlemen... " (your band here)

Hit record on your VCR, and off you go.

As the band enters the stage, use the WideEye. When the whole band is engaged, use the WideEye. When the guitarist is doing his/her solo, use the Guitar Cam. When the bassist is doing their solo, or something extra funky during the song, switch to the Bass Cam. How about putting a camera under the drummer so that you can see their hands while they drum? That would be a great shot, and inexpensive, and because of the size of the camera, unobtrusive. And it’s all as simple as hitting the buttons on your ScanPad.

So now when the guitarist finally hammers out that thirty second solo that took at least thirty hours of practice to finally get right, you’ll have it all right there on tape.

And when it’s over, you have your own live video stage show, with no editing. Now that you have your mega-hits on tape, in front of a screaming audience, you can make copies and give one to each member of the band. And you can send them out to your friends, family, record producers, other promoters, or even your local public library.

That’s it for today’s How2. If you have anything you would like to see done, let us know, and we’ll use your ideas for our next How2.

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