Single Camera

For single camera productions, filming has to be done a lot more creatively. To film a scene with
multiple angles, the scene has to be reshot multiple times, with each shoot being a different angle.
This can cause problems if the actor’s line deliveries aren’t the same as they were in different shots.
With only one camera, it means that filmmakers can transport the equipment easily as there isn’t as
much to move. Having a single camera can be beneficial as it allows the filmmakers to get all the
angles they need for a shot. Directors can also have direct control over every shot, helping them
achieve their vision. Single camera has its problems though. Doing things like stunts and practical
effects with a single camera is near impossible as you would have to reset everything between each
shot and the shots might not fully match. Single camera also takes up a lot of storage/film, as
rerecording scenes multiple times will leave the filmmakers with a lot of footage.

Lighting a single camera set is a lot easier as you don’t have to worry about covering the entire set in
equal lighting. In multi camera sets, the lighting has to fill the entire set perfectly but in single
camera productions, the lighting can be focused and moved to only where the camera is pointing.
Single camera sets can be lit perfectly without worrying about anything else.

Sound in a single camera production can be tricky. Because of the constant cuts in a single camera
production, the audio might sound disjointed. Background noise plays a massive part in this.
Background noise in a shot is quiet but obvious if the scene is silent. Its easy to notice when the
background noise changes from one shot to another. To avoid this, filmmakers will sometimes use
audio from a different take and match it to the visuals. High quality microphones like boom mics are
also essential for good sounding audio.

Editing a single camera production can be a lengthy process. The editors have to go through every
single shot and match them all together in order. Finding all the footage necessary from a single day
shoot can take a while as there is so much to filter through. They then have to make sure there
aren’t any visual or audio mismatches that’ll stand out to the viewer. Editing for a single camera
production can only happen after the filming of that scene has finished, as all shots have to be
completed one after the other. Deleting all the unneeded footage helps as its less clutter to sort
through for the editor. On top of all of this, the editor has to go through all the audio, finding the
audio tracks that match the scenes, then line them up perfectly or use audio from another shot and
match that up to the video, something that is difficult to do.

Different films and shows use differing amount of cameras. For example, real-time shows like the
news, sports and Britain’s Got Talent all use a multi camera setup. They use multiple cameras as they
are live and can’t be rerecorded. Multi camera setups can be mixed live, meaning audiences get the
best angles. Sitcoms and TV shows in general are more likely to use a single camera setup as they
can be reshot as many times as possible. Single camera feels more personal as the camera can be
moved closer to the actors as it wouldn’t be in shot. The personalized feeling helps audiences relate
to the characters more and feel a stronger bond with them. Horror benefits from single camera
setups as the camera can be put in angles that make the production feel more realistic.