Simultaneous coverage planner

This planner shows where the parts of your programme that must be filmed overlap in different places. It gives a producer something concrete to review before coverage is scoped.

What is it for?

Many events run more than one thing at once: a keynote in one hall, a must-record interview in another, a ceremony in one room and a breakout session in another. One operator cannot be in two places. This tool finds those moments so you can decide what to move, what to drop and what needs another person.

If you want to know what a second crew member or extra cameras involve, read our guide to what multi-camera recording includes and our multi-camera event recording service. To list the moments first, use the must-capture moments checklist.

How do I use it?

1. Enter the event date. Optionally enter how many operators you can field at once, if you know.
2. Add each programme segment with its start, end and room. Tick Essential to record for what must be captured.
3. Set the camera positions you would like for that segment. An operator role such as “Roaming” is optional.
4. Add setup minutes before a segment if you know them.
5. If one operator moves between rooms, open the travel section and enter the minutes you have confirmed.

How do I read the result?

The busiest moment shows how many places need coverage at once and how many camera positions you asked for. Conflicts list each overlap that your operator number cannot cover, any operator role placed in two rooms at once, and any move where the gap is shorter than the travel and setup you entered.

The coverage map lists each room with its segments. The timeline shows the essential coverage in order. Missing estimates and questions for the production lead sit underneath.

What are the assumptions and limits?

• Two essential items in different rooms at the same time need two people, or an agreed fixed camera for one of them.
• Camera positions are not operators. The tool never turns one into the other.
• Travel time, setup time and operator ability come only from what you enter. Blank stays unknown.
• The result is a planning aid for producer review.
• To turn the plan into a timed day, use the run-sheet filming planner.

A worked example

This is an illustrative example. A keynote runs in Hall A from 10:00 to 11:00 with two camera positions. A mandatory interview runs in Hall B from 10:30 to 10:45. You enter one operator.

The planner flags the overlap between 10:30 and 10:45 as a conflict: two places, one operator. The second camera in Hall A does not change that. If you enter two operators, the conflict goes, and the tool still lists the travel and setup times you have not given. If a single operator would walk between halls afterwards, it asks for that travel time.

When should I message us?

When a conflict stays after you have tried moving items, or when you are not sure which parts to drop. Send the rooms, times and the result. We will say what we need to confirm, including whether a fixed camera or a second operator suits your date.