B-Camera
Definition
A B-Camera (or "B-Cam") is a second camera unit that operates simultaneously with the primary camera (the "A-Camera") during a shoot. Using a B-Camera allows the production to capture two angles simultaneously, which is particularly valuable during action sequences, stunts, or scenes with one-time-only events (such as a practical explosion) that cannot be repeated. It also allows for more efficient coverage of dialogue scenes, as both actors can be filmed simultaneously rather than having to shoot each actor's coverage separately.
Contextual Usage
The First AD announces the plan for the stunt sequence: "We're going to have three cameras on this stunt — the A-Camera on the crane for the wide master, the B-Camera on the ground for the low-angle shot, and the C-Camera handheld for the close-up coverage. We only get one attempt at this, so we need all three cameras to be locked and ready before we go."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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