Single camera techniques essay

Single Camera Techniques 

I will be writing about the different element and aspects of single camera productions. I will be talking about the variety of techniques and methods of single camera, I will also be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using single camera compared to using multi camera. I will also include examples of both single camera and multi camera while also giving my opinion on the differences and which I would be more likely to use.

Camera:

As the name suggests throughout the production of single camera only one camera is used, this techniques is often favored by many directors because of the fact by using a single camera gives them more input and control over the production as a whole, meaning with only one camera they can see everything being recorded no matter the angle or style of shot. Single camera productions also gives the director the ability to have complete say in each separately set up and shooting of the scene, along with allowing the director from getting every angle every type of shot were as with multi-camera productions you have limited asses to these shots and angles due to different elements effecting the shot, such as another camera in shot, and accuracy.  

Another advantage of single camera productions from a strategic point of view using the single camera can create a connection to the audience and get them to feel involved and feel the realistic and almost intimate feeling with the actions and what the actors are doing, saying and the feelings they portray. However the only time the single camera rule is broken in these productions is for specific scenes, high action shots which use a variety of stunts which can be hard to recreate over and over again or those with a lot of thick dialogue. A disadvantage of single camera productions is that they require repetition of scenes in full from start of say scene 1 to end of scene 1 no cuts no changing, and when doing the reparations everything has to be the same sometimes it takes more than one shot of each angle and more than one angle usually up to three or more, so that the director can have a variety of lengths and angles for each individual scene. Which can make the filming of just one scene a lot more expensive, increasing the price of the whole of the production all together. However, this techniques allows the actors more time and experience as there character helping them to understand and develop the character naturally. 

Lighting:

In single camera productions the lighting is a lot easier and simpler to use and create compared to that in multi-camera, this is due to the fact that the light has to be set for each shot and you may only need a limited amount of light, for example a single light sores and possibly a reflector, the reason for individual lighting on each shot is to achieve the preferred style tone and feel to the shot. Were as compared to filming with multi-camera, the lighting for every shot must be Suitable, because of these requirements many shots can be stale and sometimes be a repetition in terms of lighting. This is also due to the fact that multi camera productions require more lighting and higher tech than that in many single camera.

Sound:

When it comes to sound in single camera productions you must always consider avoiding any unnecessary transitions that can show or display the microphone this is however easier in single camera due to the fact you only need made one or to microphones. This dose not mean however that it is always easy to capture sound because it can be hard depending on the scene, the setting or even the actors/shot type, the reason for this is because you may not always get all the sound you need on tape or you may get unnecessary sound and it can sometimes be hard to sink the sound up with video in a single camera production. To avoid these set backs in Citizen Kane they created a technique of false ceilings, which is created by using high ceilings and hooking microphones and other sound devices to the ceiling and using a sheet or simple fabric as a false ceiling to cover the equipment above.

Editing:

in single camera productions you end up with a lot more footage compared to multi camera productions this is due to the fact that with the use of only one camera you have to redo scenes and shots over and over again in different angles and shot types to get the best video outcome. Because of this fact there are more frequent amount of continuity errors as you can never shoot something the same over and over again with only one camera each shot would be slightly different from the last this could be due to the way someone says or does something changes from the last shot or there standing in a slightly different place.

Single camera genres and formats:

With single camera productions there are certain genres that work best with this technique, they are as follows, period, crime drama, comedy, horror, thriller, teen drama, and rarely soap operas are done using single camera.

Period/costume dramas: (set in specific era’s in the past

Period dramas or costume dramas use the single camera technique to help emphasis the story lines settings and the time in which they are based, they are also used to recreate the atmospheres and tones of the period the film or program is based in.

Downton abbey

Crime drama:

Law And Order: SVU

Horror:

Walking Dead

Thriller:

Braking Bad

Teen drama:

Glee

Soap opera:

Hollyoaks?

However soaps are nearly always done using multi-camera because there is so much happening in each, this can be action or dialogue,  episode or scene and there is also the fact that soaps have a fast pace of release compared to other shows or films, meaning soaps come on tv nearly daily where as other shows are released made once a week or every other week and films come out only once and take up to two years to make and soaps are filmed almost every day.

Comedy:

Malcom in the middle