Single camera techniques essay

Single camera techniques essay

In a single camera production, the camera is used primarily as a tool to engage the audience
in a scene functioning to create realism and intimacy. On occasion a single camera
production will use multiple cameras although only if necessary, such as for a particular
stunt or a scene with heavy dialogue, whereas a multi camera production will utilise
multiple cameras throughout. Single camera productions can often be favoured by the
director especially as it grants them more control over the camera and enabling them to set
up each shot individually, in a multi camera production due to the constant cuts there
would be less control and focus on any one shot. Single camera productions also do away
with the logistical requirements of a multi camera production allowing the director to shoot
almost anywhere, however a multi camera production can capture more coverage despite
some location limitations.

The downside of single camera productions is that they require scenes to be shot
repeatedly so the director can capture the shot from different angles and at different length
snevertheless this makes filming more expensive especially if filming on film stock as
opposed to digitally as film stock is expensive. For example, filming a multi camera
production digitally could prove to be far more cost effective. Below is typical film set from
a multi camera production in comparison to an exterior shot from Stanley Kubrick’s “The
Shining”, a single camera production. This shot from would not at all be possible to film on a
set and would be difficult to have ben filmed in a multi camera production due to logistical
issues. As a result of the control the director has over the shot and the freedom of being
able to shoot in the location it allows the cinematography to capture a sense of ominous
foreboding while highlighting the beauty of the shot.

Shooting in a single camera production allows the lighting to be much easier to control due
to the fact each shot can be lit individually as opposed to in a multi camera production
where the light must be satisfactory for each shot which has the unwanted side effect of
leading to the lighting looking bland and unvaried. Single camera production lighting has a
lot more freedom and leads to shots looking more intricate and well-crafted being
specifically engineered for each shot, as opposed to a multi camera production where the
lighting must stay consistent for consecutive shots which can lead them being dull and
monotonous regarding how they are lit. There are lot more options when it comes to
lighting in a single camera production meaning it is easier to create and maintain stylistic
substance, in contrast to a multi camera production where it would be much harder to
create lighting techniques such as chiaroscuro. The difference in lighting between a single
and a multi camera productions are that in a single camera production a key light is used in
conjuncture with a reflector to light the subject whereas in a multi camera production
background lights, key lights and back lights are all used to ensure every part of the scene is
well lit from each camera.

Single camera production lighting set up

Multi camera production lighting set-up A Multi camera production lighting set up B

Sound recordings in a single camera production require an overlay in the recording meaning
the sound would be recorded slightly before and slightly after the scene to avoid any
awkward and jumpy transitions. In single camera productions all sound effects such as foley
sounds can be added in post-production. In a single camera production usually, a central
microphone will suffice as the scene is only being shot from one angle at time whereas a
multi camera production would require several microphones around the shot to capture
dialogue. As an example, in citizen Kane, they hid mics in the ceiling as a workaround to keep
them out of shot. Something that is important to remember is that in a scene not all dialogue
from that shot is used in the final product. Boom mics area staple off single camera
productions as they allow easy access to recording dialogue due to there being only a single
camera. https://www.zapsplat.com/sound-effect-category/foley/ (library of foley sounds)

As with any production, the editing in the postproduction stage can take a long time as
there will be a large amount of footage to sort through and work with. A common occurrence
in multi camera productions is the abundance of wasted film, although this loss is not as
financially devastating as it would be in a single camera production as it takes far less time to
film. The multi camera format lends itself to filming live as it is possible for theselive
productions to be edited in real time via switching from one camera to another using a vision
mixer. This is something that is not possible in a single camera production as all the editing
must take place after is has been filmed. An essential part of pre-production with regards to
the editing process is the shot log. This document is as important as it is due to it providing
critical information on all the shots captured. Information like the shots duration and shot
type as well as description regarding the contents of the shot and how well the takes went.

In the comedy genre, both single and multi-camera productions are both valid options each
with their own upsides. Such as in a single camera production the restriction of one camera
for each shot at a time leads to more creative shots such as in “peep show”, whereas a multi
camera production can show the reactions from certain lines or takes from the same shot by
simply cutting two a take from a different camera. Some shows such as “Britain’s got talent”
are not only filmed live but edited live as well. This is done by utilising the multi camera

format by using a vision mixer to cut from one camera to another. This technique is used in
other Live shows such as “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” and game shows such as
“Pointless” and “Tipping point”.

Due to the rate of production, it is a requirement that soaps be filmed as multi camera
productions. Because of the rate of which soaps need to be produced it is rare that they are
filmed as single camera production due to the added time and effort that needs to be put
into them. As opposed to in a multi camera production where these time constraints are not
as much of an issue because of the nature of the multi camera format, being able to capture
shots much quicker due to coverage.

The single camera format lends itself to the medium of TV series, such as the show “Brooklyn-
99 which utilises the format employing a variety of sets and locations as well as set pieces.
This would not be possible in a multi camera format due to the limitations of setting up each
scene. It also gives the effect of looking more like a film which can make a series seem more
appealing.

Multi camera techniques differ from single camera techniques on the principle that using
more cameras allows more possibilities for not only shooting but also editing. Multi camera
productions have many advantages such as fewer continuity errors and reshoots. In

conclusion both single camera and multi camera productions have their pros and cons,
both existing for different purposes.