Concert and Theatre Filming in Manchester
A live performance happens once. Our multi-camera crews capture it properly, so you have a recording you can be proud of: for your archive, your fans, your funders, your streaming audience or your next season’s marketing.
Forshaw Media is an award-winning video production company based in Manchester city centre. We film concerts, theatre productions and live shows across Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and the wider UK, working quietly and professionally around your performers and audience. We have extensive experience filming in London’s West End and a track record working with artists such as Michael Bublé and The Who.
Performances we film
Orchestras and classical concerts. Full-length recordings of orchestras, chamber groups and choirs, with several camera angles that follow the music. We recently filmed an orchestra at Chester Town Hall over two shows, with 6 cameras and 4 operators.
Bands and gigs. Multi-camera coverage of live shows, from intimate venues to larger stages, with the energy of the crowd as well as the band.
Theatre productions and plays. Full productions recorded for archives, licensing, touring or streaming, with careful framing of the stage, actors and set.
Musicals, opera and dance. Performances with complex staging, changing light and many performers, covered with wide shots and close-ups.
School, college and community shows. Concerts, plays and end-of-year performances, filmed to a high standard so families and students can keep them. Our team holds enhanced DBS certification, so filming in schools is straightforward.
Rehearsals and behind-the-scenes. Rehearsal footage, backstage moments and set-up, for promotion and social media, or to document the R&D process for your next stage show.
Showcases and festivals. Multi-act events where several performances need capturing in one day. For wider festival and event coverage, see event videography and photography.
Single-take live sessions. For a short, polished live take of a track or piece in a studio or venue, see live session filming.
How we film live performances
Live work leaves no room for second takes, so we plan around the performance and your venue.
Multi-camera crews. From two cameras for a small production to six or more for a large orchestra or stage show, with operators placed to catch the stage, soloists and audience reaction. We use fixed, handheld, crane or Steadicam cameras depending on venue size and scope, and a dedicated vision mixer can cut between cameras in real time for live streams.
Quiet, low-profile working. We set up before the audience arrives and stay out of sight lines, so the performance and the audience come first.
Low light and changing light. Theatres and concert halls are dark, with dramatic lighting changes. We are experienced in handling low light, and we work with your lighting rather than against it.
Clean audio. We record multitrack audio directly from the venue’s soundboard and add ambient audience microphones for atmosphere. In post, our audio engineer can mix and master the tracks, balancing instruments, vocals and crowd reactions, so the sound matches the picture.
Planning and rehearsal filming. We review the running order and venue before the day, and where possible film a rehearsal so we know the music, cues and key moments.
What you get
A full-length multi-camera edit. The whole performance, cut between angles, with clean sound and colour grading, plus individual song or scene masters if you want to share them separately.
A highlight film or trailer. A 1 to 5 minute highlights reel for your website, social media and ticket sales.
Social clips. Short vertical and square excerpts for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
Behind-the-scenes and B-roll. Set-up, rehearsal and backstage footage, packaged separately for promotion or to document your process.
Photography. Edited stills of performers, rehearsals and the venue for programmes and press. See photography.
Optional extras. Live streaming of the performance, separate audio mixing, titles, captions or subtitles, and files prepared for your website, YouTube channel or digital theatre platform.
How a concert or theatre shoot works
1. Brief. We talk through the performance, venue, audience and what you need the recording for: archive, streaming, promotion or sale. We also talk through your artistic intent, lighting design and staging, so the film keeps the atmosphere of the live show.
2. Planning. We agree the camera plan, crew and positions with you and the venue, check access and any restrictions, and confirm how audio will be captured. A site visit to the venue will also be arranged if needed.
3. Rehearsal and set-up. We set up before the audience arrives and, if possible, film a rehearsal to test angles, sound and light.
4. Performance. Our crew films the show live, with every operator following a shot plan so coverage is consistent across the whole performance.
5. Editing and delivery. We edit the angles together, sync and clean up the audio, and share a draft for your feedback. Most projects take 3 to 6 weeks from shoot day to delivery. We include 2 rounds of editing revisions as standard. Final files come in the formats you need.
How much does concert and theatre filming cost in Manchester?
Prices depend on the length of the performance, the number of cameras and operators, whether you want one show or several, and how much editing and audio work is needed. Filming two performances of the same show gives you extra angles and a safety net, and can improve the final edit. We’ll give you a clear, itemised quote after a short conversation, with no hidden extras.
Why choose Forshaw Media
We’ve been making video for more than 10 years and have filmed live performances from London’s West End to town hall concerts in the North West. We bring professional cameras and audio, a calm approach under pressure and a fast edit. Clients tell us we’re easy to work with, quick to respond and that the finished video looks the way they hoped.
Get in touch to find out more:
How much does it cost to film a concert or theatre show?
Prices start from £600 for a basic 1-2 hour show with 3 cameras. The best way to get an accurate figure is to tell us the date, venue, length of the show and what you want to do with the recording.
How many cameras do we need?
It depends on the venue and what you want. A small production may only need two or three cameras, while an orchestra or a large stage show benefits from five or six. We’ll recommend a plan after we understand your performance and budget.
Can you film two performances of the same show?
Yes, and we often recommend it. Filming two nights gives us more angles and a backup if something goes wrong on one night, which makes the final edit better.
Will the filming disturb the audience?
We set up before the audience arrives, and try to be as unobtrusive as possible and keep operators out of sight lines. We’ll agree positions with your venue in advance.
Can you record the audio as well?
Yes. We record multitrack audio from the venue’s soundboard and add ambient audience microphones for atmosphere. Our audio engineers then mix and master the tracks, balancing instruments, vocals and crowd reactions, so the sound matches the picture.
Do I need permission to film a performance?
Yes. You’ll usually need agreement from the venue, performers and any rights holders, especially for copyrighted music, scripts or choreography, and for releasing the recording. We’re happy to talk through what’s needed for your event.
Can you live stream the performance?
Yes. We can stream to YouTube or your own platform, with a multi-camera feed and clean audio. See live streaming.
Do you film outside Manchester?
Yes. We regularly film across Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire, including Chester, and travel elsewhere in the UK. There may be additional travel costs for shoots further afield.
How long does it take, and what will I receive?
Most projects take 3 to 6 weeks from shoot day to delivery. Deliverables can include a full-length edit of the performance, a 1 to 5 minute highlights reel or trailer, individual song or scene masters, and behind-the-scenes or B-roll packages, in your preferred file formats.
How do live switching and live streaming work?
A dedicated vision mixer cuts between fixed, handheld, crane or Steadicam cameras in real time, giving you a dynamic feed for the stream. You also get a recording of stream afterwards for your final deliverables.
How do you keep the atmosphere of the live show?
We start with a consultation on your artistic intent, lighting design and staging. We then share camera tests, audio samples and rough cuts as we go, so the finished film feels as vibrant and authentic as being in the front row.
