Two or more cameras roll simultaneously on the same scene from different angles — saves takes on dialogue, captures reactions without reshooting.
You set up multiple cameras simultaneously to capture a scene from different angles—this saves you a lot of time during dialogue and gives you maximum flexibility in the edit. Instead of shooting a conversation three times (wide shot, close-up actor A, close-up actor B), the scene runs once, and all cameras record in parallel. This is particularly valuable for emotional or complex dialogues because the actors don't have to re-engage for each take, and their performance energy is preserved.
Practically, this means you need a solid plan before shooting. Ideally, you position one camera for the wide shot, and one or two for close-ups of the main characters—the so-called three-camera setup is a classic in drama or series. Each camera has its own focus puller and cable management; for larger rigs, an additional camera operator is added. The director sits at the video village and monitors all feeds in parallel—this requires a well-organized video technician who records the takes synchronously. In the edit, you then have material from multiple positions without continuity breaks, because everything was shot in the same real-time scene. This is invaluable when you need subtle reactions from a supporting actor that you might have missed during a single-camera shoot.
The catch: A multiple-camera setup requires more preparation, personnel, and cabling on set. Your lighting setup must accommodate all camera positions—this often means compromises. Zoom shots are harder to control than with a single camera. In dynamic scenes with a lot of movement in the space, it can also become critical if cameras or rigs get in each other's way. Many independent productions therefore forgo this—they shoot single-camera, but accept longer shooting days as a result.
The multiple-camera setup has proven particularly effective in series production, where efficiency counts, or for large acting scenes in cinema where you want to maintain the authenticity of the performers over multiple takes. German TV series often work with this system; it's faster than the US blockbuster standard but more professional than guerrilla filmmaking.