Single Camera Techniques

This essay will be defining, explaining and giving examples of single and multi camera productions. There are many different types of media that use both techniques to get the job done, but some are easier than others.

A camera is used on all moving picture productions and is the main component in making a piece of media. On genres such as soap operas and sitcoms use a multi-camera set up in order to capture the action from more than one angle at the same time. This provides insurance that the footage will be edited in a fluent way and continuity is kept consistent. The disadvantages of using this kind of set up is that there is an amount of freedom of camera movement and angles at one time, as other cameras or equipment could end up in shot. An example of this would be Eastenders, which is a British soap opera which has always used multi-camera set ups throughout their history.

Single camera productions are also common, but are usually used on films and serials. This is done to ensure that the director has complete freedom of camera operation and the choice of where it can go, without the other equipment being in the shot, but directors often result to multi-cam for action set pieces such as explosions, in order to get multiple angles of the same thing, instead of spending more of the budget on having multiple explosions. As well as this, using a single camera can lower the costs of a production as the budget does not have to be spent on multiple versions of a camera. Despite this, there are some drawbacks with this type of production such as having to move the camera and all other equipment each and every time a different angle is needed as well as continuity being harder to control and keep consistent. This set up is used on films such as 'Marvel's Avengers' and TV shows such as 'Sherlock'.

Lighting

Lighting within productions is a big part of what makes the footage look more professional in quality. In single camera productions, lighting has its benefits and drawbacks- one benefit being that you can place lights in more places without having to worry about getting it shot of a second camera. Despite this, a drawback is that it takes a lot more work to get lighting right, as each individual light needs to be moved for near enough every shot. This doesn't happen on multi-camera productions as more lights are used and placed in consideration of the different angles captured on the different cameras.

Audio

Audio in single camera production is similar to lighting, as you have more freedom to put boom poles and microphones in more places than on a multi camera production. With single camera productions, a short space is left between hitting record and saying action- this allows audio to be synced easier in editing. This method also allows the audio to sound more natural and fluent once edited together. A lot of sound effect such as foliage, footsteps and background noise, would be recorded and added in post production. In television shows such as X-Factor or The Chase, lavaliere microphones are used in order to pick up audio from everyone on screen, such as the contestants and host. These mics are often visible, as these types of media are reality, not fiction or scripted. On fictional shows such as The Walking Dead or Doctor Who, boom microphones are used so that the audio equipment isn't seen and therefore immerses the audience in the world. Single camera productions use directional microphones that pick up audio from one specific direction. This form of microphone allows clear and crisp audio to be picked up from each character and edited together later on.

Coverage

When on set of a production, most directors like to get a lot of coverage of a scene. Coverage is the amount of footage you get throughout a shoot. Often this coverage is made up of multiple takes of a scene or different angles of a scene. Getting a lot of coverage allows the editor to have more choice with what to use. Some takes may contain bad lighting, bad performances, mistakes or anything similar. Multi camera productions use more than one camera to increase the amount of coverage they get, whilst decreasing the amount of time they spend getting it, as single camera productions have to rearrange all the equipment to change angles. An example of a multi camera production that does this, is 'The Big Bang Theory', in which they use more than three cameras in order to maximise coverage. Using digital cameras on productions allows the cost to stay relatively low, as SD cards are a fraction of the price of rolls of film.

Editing

Both single and multi camera productions take a long time to edit, as hours of footage has to be sifted through in order to find the best takes to use and piece together in the best way possible. A problem of multi camera productions is the amount of wasted footage there is at the end of the process, as hours of takes and reshoots can be left on the cutting room floor. Despite this, shows that are performed live such as 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', use multi camera productions to allow quick angle changes at any moment instead of cutting after each close up or wide shot.

Genres

Period Dramas-

Throughout TV, there are countless genres of shows that can use either single or multi camera set ups. For example, period dramas are shows set in a specific time period such as World War II or Medieval Times. They use costumes, locations and dialogue from the time in order to immerse the audience and create a believable mise-en-scene. For the most part, these types of shows are single camera productions as this allows full creative control on the directors part, as they can show minute details and create more personal moments with each character. Downton Abbey is a good example of this, as it is a film based in British history with accurate costumes and realistic locations.


Crime Drama-

Typically, crime dramas follow either detectives or criminals in a cat and mouse style narrative. These shows are usually very narrative driven which means the director and actors must try to convey the most realistic and dramatic story they can. In this genre, a lot of directors use their most skill as they use connotations and hidden meanings to create an undertone for the show. This is again done through single camera as they can have full control of what is seen and hidden. A heavy style is usually added to crime dramas, such as dark lighting to match the gritty tone of the narrative and characters. An example of a crime drama is 'True Detective' which follows two detectives tracking down killers and is a single camera production.




Horror-

This genre is one based on scaring the audience. Some directors use easy methods such as jump scares and scary monsters, but others such as 'Stranger Things' use sound and lighting to create a creepy atmosphere. Jump scares are created by adding sudden burst of something scary and a loud sound effect and rush of music being added to an otherwise slow and seemingly innocent scene, to shock the viewer. This is typically done with a single camera as these types of shows or films have to connect on an emotional level with audience by using close ups and slow movement which a director can only really get from using one camera at a time. 'Stranger Things' uses an 80's theme of horror mixed with paranormal elements to create a very stylised for of horror.

Comedy-

Comedy is a genre that focuses on making the audience feel amused and comfortable. This is achieved through light characters, humorous dialogue and funny events. A lot of comedies on TV are Sitcoms, which are multi camera productions, such as 'The Big Bang Theory'. This is because multi camera productions are typically more character based. More than one camera is used at a time in order to ensure quick, comedic delivery of a line and the reaction of the other characters. An example of a single camera comedy is 'House'.













Soap Opera-

Soap operas are character based shows centring around conflict between the characters. They put these characters in dramatic situations in order to create a more intense version of reality. Soap operas are usually shot on sets specifically built for the show, so the set up is designed for multi camera productions as cameras can only shoot from certain angles because of the lack of a fourth wall on the set in a lot of cases. Single cameras are used when real, pre-existing locations are being used, which is rare on soap operas. An example of a multi camera soap opera is Emmerdale which is the longest running British soap opera and has used multi camera production since the beginning.

Formats

Series-

There are multiple types of formats that shows can be released in such as series, serials and single dramas. A series is an episodic show that has no over arching story and each episode is its own inclosed story. This happens with a lot of comedies and animation shows such as 'Family Guy' as they're more focused on the laughs rather than the story line. Sometimes a small amount of the narrative is carried over to a few later episodes, but for the most part each episode is a whole new story with the same characters. Characters can develop throughout the series, but usually past events are not mentioned after the episode ends.

Serial-

Serials are shows that have a story line that is consistent throughout all episodes and seasons, keeping continuity for each character and location. An example of this type of show is AMC's 'Breaking Bad' in which the story and continuity ran for five seasons and followed what each last episode done for the narrative. Soap operas are considered serials, due to the high number of episodes and the consistent narrative and continuity throughout them all. Soap operas have no real protagonist and instead focus on many different characters in each episode, giving some more screen time than others depending on who has the main story line at the time. Soap operas don't typically have an end planned and continue until the creators decide on a definitive ending or the show gets cancelled by executives. An example of a long running soap opera is Eastenders which has run for more than ten years consistently and has kept the same narrative going.

Single Drama-


Single dramas are one time narratives that only last for one episode- similar to a TV movie. These story lines are usually quick and simple to tell, as there is not enough time to go in depth with character and plot.

Conclusion

Single camera productions are a long and somewhat tedious process, but allow the director to have more control over the visual side of the story. The fact that this process takes longer than a multi camera production, means it can cost more too. Despite this, single camera productions often come out with a high quality product as more time and care go into making it which allows the audience to feel more invested in the diegesis once the story is crafted. A more unique style can be added to a single camera production with different angles and movement being used by the director. As well as this, a wider varieties of locations are more accessible with the lower amount of equipment used on single camera productions, so better places can be found to shoot in. Lighting can be controlled more on a single camera production and therefore better suited to each individual shot allowing a consistent style to remain throughout. Despite this, continuity errors are more likely to appear due to the amount of takes and shots that take place for each scene, giving more room for small background changes or costume changes to slip through to editing unnoticed.

Multi camera productions can also take a long time to film and edit, but can often be quicker than the alternative. This is due to the less amount of re shoots and angle changes that come with single camera productions. Continuity errors are often less frequent due to the fast pace of the production of each scene. Broadcasting live is a possibility due to mixing desks allowing shots to be switched on the go instead of editing them in post. In contrast to this, lighting is harder to perfect due to the limitations of where equipment can be placed in fear of getting it in shot. The director of the production has a lot less control of the way a production looks, as angles and moment are limited due to the possibility of the edges of sets or equipment ending up in shot. As well as this, the amount of equipment used on multi camera productions means sets have to be built especially for the show and can limit what real locations they can film on due to space limitations.