Clay Jacobsen Interview: Multi-Camera Directing

Game shows, live events and sporting events are often filmed with multi-cameras. Phil Cooke philcooke.com interviews multi-camera director Clay Jacobsen who shares practical tips on how to capture a compelling experience on your next multi-cam gig. Bonus tips for church media directors in directing for the audience while directing for the IMAG screen.
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Do you have a message or story the world needs to hear? As a Hollywood producer and media consultant, I offer advice for leaders and creatives each week on filmmaking, digital media, publishing, strategy, communication, leadership, culture and faith - to take you from where you are to where you want to be in your career.
More about this episode: Clay Jacobsen Interview: Multi-Camera Directing
With over 40 years of TV production experience, Clay Jacobsen’s multi-cam directing credits include the Dove Awards, American Idol Extra, Ellen and Entertainment Tonight. He currently directs the television game show Jeopardy. Here are important take-aways from his interview with Phil Cooke…
• It’s important to give the viewer what they want in a multi-camera show.
• Make it look real; if it’s too flawless, people will wonder if it’s live!
• Get the right crew around you.
• Never look at the program monitor; if you do, you’re behind! Look at all cameras to be a step ahead of what’s happening next.
• In a church multi-cam setting, you’ve got to ask: How can I best help my pastor tell his message well?
• Keep in mind you have two audiences: the live audience and the people watching from home. Audience shots are important for the viewers at home.
• Lighting: a good room can look cheap if it’s not lit right.
• Know the limitations of your camera people. Get out there and operate a camera to know what can and cannot be done.
• Faith in Hollywood: You don’t have to bang people over the head. Your light is the witness… When someone is in trouble, they will talk to you.
• Know your craft as well as you can. Make sure you’re on a track you want to be on.
A Primetime Emmy nominee, Clay Jacobsen is a member of the Director’s Guild of America. An alumna of Oral Roberts University, Jacobsen is also an author of multiple novels “that challenge the spirit.”
Find out more about Clay Jacobsen here: www.clayjacobsen.com/
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[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Any other tips from multi-camera directors out there?

[@aniefiokarchibong8572]

I really really love this session, very inspiring to the upcoming television and film makers in general.
According to Clay Jacobsen "your life is a witness wherever you are"

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it. Clay is great.

[@brianabe3696]

Thanks for the authentic discussion.

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Happy to help! Thanks for the note!

[@davicajohnson3744]

I was researching on multi-cam directing and RUclips led me to this video. Thanks for this interview!

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@StevenMurphy24p]

Great stuff; Thank you, Phil!

[@PabloFernandez704]

Thanks for putting together this interview. I'm teaching a Studio Production class this semester and it's incredible to see the students tasting a little bit of the "good adrenaline" of multi-camera production. I'm gonna share this with them.

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it; hope it helps with your class!

[@benfield3948]

Awesome interview

[@samtavarezproductions8886]

Outstanding video! I love multi camera directing! I’ve had the privilege of working high school basketball games, and I have fun every time I direct the show.

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

It's great to do something that you're passionate about. Glad you liked the video.

[@ChuckTL]

Duper interesting. I'm starting my studio and doing more and more multi-cam directing for my podcast studio. Thanks for the interview - Chuck from Montreal

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@frankservant5754]

In my church they rarely do audience shots maybe it is because they fear people may end up feeling insecure I am just hypothesizing

[@PhilCookeOfficial]

I think most churches are concerned about embarrassing people, and that's understandable. But if they realize the positive impact they can have on a TV viewer, it can be amazing.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Audiences can also be very unpredictable. Weird looks, staring at the camera, nobody clapping when you take the shot, etc.
But yes, I'd say the main reason is it can be distracting to people that don't like being on camera.