The recording of an audio video event such as a play, concert, graduation, parade, rodeo, sporting, or even a wedding, in my opinion is best done with 3 or 4 cameras switched live. This web site will be dedicated to recording events for DVD in the same manor that TV is broadcast live. Altho it is possible to record an event using 3 or 4 cameras, each recording the audio and video from its point of view, and editing them to a final program, much time later, I will let others tell you why, as I see no reason not to be live.
The successful recording of an event requires many things to come together even before the event begins. The key is to plan ahead, to build ahead, to train ahead, so that the final product looks like you know what you are doing. The plan is that everything you need to do the recording is in place and working before the show starts. You (the director) need to know what will happen and where, during the show, so you are not surprised, and say “I wish I knew they were going to do that!” You may have to build something for the event, such as a cable, platform, special camera mount or “something” that you donot have now. Do not forget the crew training, after all the dameras do not point and zoom themselves. Not to forget the audio recording. All video camcorders do have microphones, but please do not use them. All they hear is the camera operator, the camera, the people near the camera, a baby crying a mile away, and when all of that is recorded you might hear the play, as it sounds in the back of the room.
One of the most important considerations when using 3 or 4 cameras is communications. An intercom or headset for you and each of the camera people is a must. You can see what each camera is doing by watching your monitors in the control room and directing each camera person to get the shots you need. If you do not talk to the camera people after a while all of the cameras will have the same pictures, except from different points of view. You need to tell one to be wide, one to get the person on the right, and one to get the person on the left. It is also very helpful to have someone who knows the event, and what will happen next, with you on the intercom/headset to tell you and the camera people what is comming up next. The director of the pllay is good or someone who is not in the event but knows what will happen next. You as the director will need to direct which camera will continue on the current shot and which one will set up the next shot, and the next, ect.
Before you record anything there are many technical decisions you need to make. For the video what type of cameras, tripods to hold the cameras, do you use gen locked cameras.