Manual white balance

How do I manually white balance my three Sony HDR-HC1 hidef (consumer) video cameras in a dark theater? I produce DVDs of ballets for a local ballet company and I have trouble with color disparities between different camera angles when I am editing the three angles. The closest camera always has the best color and the furthest camera always looks yellow.
I have read about using manual white balance prior to the performance (I have always left the white balance setting on "Auto".) Is it as easy as holding a white object in front of the camera on stage then using the manual white balance? Any tips would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Brock Fisher
San Diego

Is it as easy as holding a white object in front of the camera on stage then using the manual white balance? Any tips would be appreciated.
Yes. But you have a dilemma in that third camera. Incandescent light disperses over distance and you'll see the yellow cast you're seeing.
Best bet: get a big sheet or something else white and use THAT to white balance the cameras IN THEIR SHOOTING POSITIONS. Then that yellowish blob you're seeing from the back will be seen as white by the camera. Obviously you can't run out with a big bedsheet just before a performance, so do it during the setup phase. If your cameras will not hold that balance when shut down, keep them powered up.

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