Single Camera Production Techniques. Essay.

In this essay I will be talking about the differences between Single camera techniques and Multi-camera techniques. I will also be discussing how the camera; lighting; sound; editing is used in a single camera production and I will discuss their advantages and disadvantages. I will also discuss single camera genres and formats. I will also be comparing both single camera techniques with multi-camera techniques.

In a single camera production, the use of a camera/cameras are self-explanatory, as only one camera is used to film the production. This technique is used to lure the audience in and make them feel more involved with the production and with each scene, creating a feel of realism. However, this rule can be broken if the scene requires more than one camera, such as a stunt scene or a scene containing a lot of dialogue. This is because more than one shot will be required from different angles so the stunt scene doesn’t stop-start and look jumpy. As for the heavy dialogue using more than one camera allows for different angles to focus on everyone who is speaking, such as a shot-reverse shot and/or and over the shoulder shots, or a wide angle shot from different angles to focus on one big group of people talking. This differs from a Multi-camera technique as this will always use more than one camera to shoot each shot, to make sure they get the scene from different angles all at once to help capture the scene in just one take, such as a huge explosion. As doing more than one take of an explosion will mean a constant re-set-up of the explosion which will cost a lot of time and money the most productions don’t have to work with.

Multi-Camera Set-up.

The use of lighting in a single camera production is often very simple as it is easier to change and control the lighting because each scene/shot requires to be lit differently and are shot individually. This means that, although time consuming, a lot of intricate time can be spent lighting each shot according to what is wanted with the shot, such as its tone and style. Whereas, if you are shooting on a Multi-camera production then the lighting is more complicated and extreme, and the lighting must suit each shot perfectly for the take. This however, often makes shots seem unreal and flat and similar to other shots and it takes the audience out of the action as it can often look like it was filmed in a studio. Also with a Multi-camera production the lighting must be placed carefully as to make sure that the equipment cannot be seen from any angle, from any of the cameras placed around the scene.

Sound used in a single camera production is often an overlay of the shot itself. This means that the sound equipment starts recording sound before the camera begins filming and then is stopped after the camera is done filming the shot as this allows the whole scene to be captured with the adequate sound to make sure the sound has no jumpy stops and starts. If (when required) a second camera is used to shoot a scene with heavy dialogue all the sound such as ambient noise and the dialogue shall also be recorded together. This sound that is collected can then be enhanced/edited in post-production to make some noises/dialogue louder and more audible than others, depending on what the scene requires. So a central or a directional mic will often be used in this type of production. Although in some cases the dialogue is recorded separately from the shot or it isn’t from the same take, such as when an over the shoulder shot is used or when you can’t see the source of the dialogue such as when it is a voice-over/narration over a cutaway or the original scene. However, in a Multi-camera production such as the news with an interviewer and an interviewee, small mics are attached to their clothes and are seen on them within the scene, so as to capture their dialogue within the scene. For a production such as the news it is okay to have the mics showing as it is more real and the audience aren’t required to be immersed within the scene as such.

In any production it is good to get lots of sound coverage so you have many options when it comes to editing in post-production, so you don’t end up with a poorly sounding end product. To achieve this, directors will often shoot everything including rehearsals of scenes to extract dialogue or ambient noise from. This is another part where your budget comes into play, as the amount of coverage that you are allowed to get will depend on it, as it takes time and money to set and re-set up scenes previously shot to re-record dialogue and background sound. When filming with a single camera technique it is also to get what is called a master shot, which is often a long or wide angle shot of the whole scene that records from start to finish. This allows you in post-production to fall back on this scene and extract the shot itself or the dialogue/ambient noise captured from it. However, with a Multi camera production it is easier/quicker to capture the sound you want depending on how well your actors know their lines. This is because a long scene is shot all at once and one long scene after another with cameras facing different angles, all of which are capturing sound. This means you have a lot of footage and sound to work with in post-production and the breaks in the filming are less frequent and therefore makes the production a quicker process. The down side to this however, is because the scenes are shot all at once without any stops it means that the actors have to learn huge chunks on their dialogue all at once, which can be a challenging task, because if anyone messes up a line or is wrongly caught in the shot or does something they’re not supposed to, then the whole scene needs to be shot again all the way from the beginning. This can be time consuming and weigh heavily on the production process.   

The editing process in the post-production stage takes a lot of time to complete as there is always a lot of footage to go through to put them in the right order and make the transitions between shots correct so each shot flows accordingly to keep the film running smoothly, and to make sure each shot is edited according to changes to sound and lighting etc. With a single camera production, it is common for all the scenes to be filmed in order/together in a certain location or with the same actors as it costs less money and is more suited to a budget of a single camera production. This is a long process especially because all the editing must take place after all the shots have been filmed. Whereas, on a Multi-camera production it takes less time to film the actual production and is a cheaper process as a scene is shot from lots of different angles and a shot is only done for a few takes at most. Also because of this, a multi-camera production for example a live show such as live sport or Britain’s got Talent or the news would be edited or ‘mixed’ while it is being broadcast so the editors can chop and change and ‘flit’ between cameras to capture all the action and get shots from several different angles, making it good for audience viewing. Although, on both forms of production, the editing is still a long process for both as there is always a lot of footage to look through to find the specific footage you need at the time. To help solve this problem it is handy to have what is called a ‘shot log’ which is where you write down all the shots you have done and you document which ones were deemed more successful than others, and also document a short description for each shot (including things such as; how well it went; the type of shot and it’s angle etc.; what scene it’s for; what happens in the shot etc.) to help you know which ones you need to use in post-production and editing; this helps to make the process easier and quicker.

There are several different types of genres of television programmes that use single camera production techniques. However, there are some cases where the multi-camera techniques are used in production depending on the turn-over of episodes and the time that has been allocated to filming. The genres that I will explain in detail below consist of; Period Drama; Crime Drama; Horror; Comedy; Soap Opera.

I will begin with talking about Period Dramas, or as some know them to be called costume dramas are more commonly known to be a romance genre set in a certain era in the past. Another genre to this form of drama would be an adventure text. As this is set in the past, to create this effect and the realistic atmosphere of a certain historical period, the appropriate sets, costumes, props etc. must be created to suit the era that the drama is located to be able to realistically create the required style and tone and they must convince the audience of this. An example of a period drama would be Jane Eyre (below).

Another TV genre would be a Crime Drama, also referred to as a thriller. As the name suggests, the focus of these are the fact they focus on the law and a form of authority and the criminals. These are more commonly made using single camera techniques as there is low lighting used mostly throughout. Examples of crime dramas include Gotham, NCIS, Sherlock and Arrow (below).

Horror is another example of a TV genre. This is often made using single production techniques, this is because as I’ve said before easier to create a feeling of realism and to make them personal to the audience. They utilise these techniques to make the audience more immersed and involved with what is happening on screen and have them be more frightened of the ‘scares’. An example of a horror TV show would be The Walking Dead, Supernatural, Game of Thrones and Hannibal (below).

A more uplifting TV genre would be Comedy. These are often filmed in front of live audience in a studio or a stage-like setting, because of this it is easier to use Multi-Camera techniques. This is better because it is done in longer takes it allows for more realistic reactions from the actors. An example of this type of comedy would be How I met your Mother and The Big Bang Theory (Below).

However, some TV Comedies that are filmed in actual buildings use single camera techniques as it allows for more movement within the scene. The actor’s response to jokes and the comedy aspects are less genuine in these types of comedies filmed with this technique as the actor’s reactions would have been captured in a different/the next take. An example of this would be The Goldbergs, Orange is the new Black and Glee (Below).

Finally, the last TV genre I will cover are Soap Operas. These are often filmed using Multi-camera techniques as there is a high expectation for the shows to be produced quickly. Some are filmed using Single camera techniques because they can be filmed in real buildings and this allows the camera to have more manoeuvrability around the scene. An example of a Soap Opera would be Coronation Street, Emmerdale and East Enders (below).

I have talked through the different TV genres so I will now talk about the various formats that are associated with single camera productions; the main three are; Series; Serial and a Single Drama.

A Series follows the same character throughout several episodes following a different storyline with each one. However, there might also be an overall sub-plot lasting and developing slowly over a few episodes. A series can also be Multi-camera productions depending on what suits the scenes more. It is more suited however, to single camera productions such as Arrow and Flash (Below).

Shows like this are commissioned for a set number of episodes. An example would be the TV series Sherlock as that was initially commissioned for only three feature length episodes lasting 90 minutes, even though it was originally pitched for more than three episodes that were slightly shorter.

A Serial is often characterised by a multistrand narrative with overlapping storylines that develop more through each episode, it has an ensemble of characters where there is no main protagonist, and finally there is no ultimate closer or definite ending. As there is a high demand for new episodes so often and the fact that it goes on indefinitely, it will often use Multi-camera production techniques. An example of a Serial includes Soap Dramas such as Emmerdale that has been running since 1972 (Below). 

A Single Drama is pretty self explanatory with it's title in the fact that it is a one-off episode consisting of a single self-contained story, making it similar or equivalent to a television movie. However, they can sometimes end up running over to two or three parts. These can be any length withing reason but they must be over five minutes long as the minimum for a Single Drama is five minutes. A good example of a Single Drama would be 'Marvellous' Directed by Julian Farino, that also won a BAFTA award for the best television Single Drama in 2015 (Below).

Throughout this essay I have talked about both Single camera production techniques and I have been comparing them to Multi-camera techniques. Overall I have discovered that there are many advantages and disadvantages to both forms of production. They are as follows:

Single Camera Production.

Advantages:

• Directer is given more free control over what they want the shots to be.
• The feel of the production will be more personal, allowing the audience to be more involved with whats on screen.
• Less film is used.
• More stylised and exciting camera angles.
• Footage shot in clusters, easier for the cast and crew.
• There is a wide variety of locations that you are open to use.
• Can be created on a tighter budget.
• The lighting is individual to each shot so it is more controlled and suited to each shot.
• A master shot can be produced to help in editing.
• You have the freedom to do multiple run troughs of each scene; helping the actors get into character. Therefore, making their characters more believable.

Disadvantages:

• It is a lengthy process.
• It is more expensive to film as it takes longer to be completed.
• It is a personal choice to film in this way. However, other people on the project might disagree with you.
• It is easier to have continuity errors.
• Action often ends up not flowing smoothly and is more of a stop-start jumpy process, making it appear stunted.

Multi-Camera Production.

Advantages:

• There is a less chance of a re-shoot needed in production.
• A higher chance of being able to edit the footage (more shots to choose from).
• There aren't so many continuity errors.
• Action is less stop-start and is more fluid.
• Production/filming can be completed at a quicker time as there are more single takes.
•  You are able to broadcast to a live audience and 'flit' between different cameras rather than having to go through the long editing process.

Disadvantages:

• It is difficult to get the correct lighting as it has to suite all the many camera angles and the equipment can't be seen on camera and it doesn't want to seem fake and/or flat.
• Director has little to no control over how they want/vision the shots to be.
• The locations are limited because of the large space needed for the many camera setup.