Intro
In this essay, I will be exploring the differences between
single and multi-camera productions.
A single camera production filming is any production that captures scenes using
one primary camera. A multi camera production is where several cameras record
or broadcast a scene at the same time.
There are many ways they differ, for example, how the footage is shot, lit, how
sound is recorded, how they are edited, and how certain genres fit either single
camera or multi camera productions better.
Camera
In a single camera production, each different shot and angle are taken using the same camera. If a scene was two people talking, the director would point it towards actor A while they ran through the scene, then the camera is reset on actor B and the scene is run again.
Some directors prefer single camera productions as they believe it gives them more control over the camera and how they are set up. They’re also easier to film as they take up less space, and are easier to move, which makes finding locations easier.
Some directors prefer single camera productions as they have more control. For example, the film 1917 (Sam Mendes, 2019) was shot using a single camera, which allowed the actors to really get into their role as they had to do the scenes again and again.
However, filming scenes over and over can be expensive if filmed on reels and take up lots of storage if saved onto hard drives and disks.
Brooklyn 99 (2013-2021) is an
example of a single camera production. This is to make the viewer feel as if
they are in the precinct with the characters, so they can make a deeper
connection with them and the story lines.
There is only a few exceptions in a single camera production where more than one camera is used, for example in the film Kingsman and the secret service (Mathew Vaughn, 2014), there is a scene where
the room floods. It was filmed by lowering the room into a pool; however, the computer went wrong and dropped the room in fully. This scene obviously could not be refilled, as it would require setting the entire room up again and waiting for the water to drain.
Multi camera productions are different, they have multiple cameras
set up for the same scene. They are usually cheaper to film as things do not
need to be reshot lots and are usually quicker to film for this reason too.
The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) is an example of this, a US comedy show
filmed with multiple cameras and a present audience.
Coverage
Coverage is getting all the shots needed to make a final
edit.
In single camera productions, usually they should begin with
a master shot, which then cuts to the action or people who are talking.
In multi camera productions, however, long scenes are filmed one after another,
which can lead to actors forgetting their lines. One example of this is the
live East Enders (1985 -) episode. Where one
of the actresses said, “How’s Adam?” instead of “How’s Ian?”. Adam was the
actors name she mistakenly called instead of the character he was playing.
In multicamera productions, such as The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019), productions do not use all four walls when filming to allow the camera to have more flexibility when filming. This also allows somewhere for the audience to sit and watch everything without having to move their heads or change seats.
Lack of coverage can also lead to continuity errors, for
example, the film Clueless (Amy Heckerling, 1995) there are three people
at the table eating, and the number of asparagus in the main characters hand
changes with each shot.
Here, in the first shot you can see she has a full asparagus shoot.
Lighting
Lighting in single camera productions is much easier to control, as it can be individually set for each shot. Where as in multi camera productions, the lighting may not look good in certain shots as they cannot be changed for each angle. Single camera productions are easier to get an emotional response from the lighting too for this reason.
Citizen Kane (Orson Welles,, 1941) is a good example of this, how lighting could be individually changed for each shop in order to get a different emotional response.
Lighting multi camera productions are not as effective emotion wise, as a light source from directly left to the actor would have one side very bright, but if a camera was the other side of the actor, the other side of the actor would be in darkness. Therefore, its more difficult to get an emotional response, as the lighting is usually blanket lighting from all angles.
|
Single
Camera Productions |
Multicamera
Productions |
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Flat lighting  |
Stylistic lighting  |
However, some shots need to be specifically lit, which can be difficult to do in a single camera if it is a deep focus. Deep focus cinematography is a kind of camera angle that allows the Cinematographer to keep everything in perspective without favouring foreground, mid-ground, or background. Everything is lit and visible.
In order to get this scene from Citizen Kane perfectly lit,
they filmed and lit the two separate people as separate shots then spliced them
together during editing.
Sound
There are several advantages and disadvantages to sound in a
single camera production. Usually, foley footage is recorded after the
production to add to the realism. One advantage is if an actor gets their lines
wrong, it can be edited out, whereas multi camera productions are usually live
broadcasts which cannot be edited. Audio is synced using a clapper board to
ensure the sound and film is lined up correctly.
Certain types of mics are used, for example a directional mic makes sure that
it is only recording what is in a certain direction, instead of the general
noise. This is useful in a single camera production. Sometimes, on live single
camera TV shows, mics are held. However, if these mics fail, there is usually
no backup as they are one directional.
Most sound in single camera productions are added and spliced together in post-production.
Young Sheldon (2017-) is an example of a single camera show, in 2019, it
was fined a six-figure number for using a sound that was added in editing, as
it was too like the official EAS emergency sound used in the US.
In multicamera productions, sound must be linked up. For example, in an over shoulder shot, where the camera flips between each person talking, sound would have to link up from one recording in order to make it flow rather than making lots of cuts. This is also simpler as in over shoulder shots you can only see one person talking which makes it easier to record audio.
do not have ceilings for this. However, some of the newer sets are specially built with mics hidden around.
For example, on a live sports show such as Match of The Day (1964 -), the hosts or presenters would usually be holding mics or have mics close by them on a table. However, in shows where the watcher wants to feel involved, like a soap, mics would not want to be seen as it would break the realism.
Editing
In a single camera production, editing takes a long time, as
the editor has to comb through every shot and decide how good they are, and if
it is useable. Usually, as soon as a scene is filmed, it gets sent to the
editor in order to cut down time.
Live editing, such as in sports programmes or talent shows involves live
mixing, where someone must pick what camera footage is shown on the screen and
must make quick decisions to get the right faces when they are talking, reactions
or the action. This does lead to ‘wasted footage’ as lots has been recorded but
not much used.
Multi camera productions can be edited live using sound
mixing and cutting between different cameras. However, this doesn’t mean
mistakes can’t be seen. For example, in 2010, news presenter Tomas Schafernaker
reacted to some goading by the presenter by sticking his middle finger up,
however the camera cut to him as he did this, which was aired in live TV at
11am.
However, in single productions, editing is done after the shots have been
filmed rather than as they are being made. In this, an editor can watch all the
footage and pick what looks good and what doesn’t rather than making decisions
on the spot.
Single camera genres and formats
Some genres of TV and Film lend themselves to either single
or multi camera productions.
Period
A period drama is a drama set in a
specific era in the past. Sometimes, they are romances, like the show Bridgeton
(2020 -), however can also be adventure.
popular period drama. Usually, period dramas are a series, a run of episodes with the same characters but different storylines. They may also be serials, a show running for a specific amount of time. For example, Bridgeton is based on the book, and in the series the characters develop across the episodes. Usually, period dramas are single camera productions. This photo taken from onset from the show Downton Abbey (2010-2019) show scenes being shot with just one camera.
Crime Drama
Crime dramas are usually single camera productions, so that
the lighting and camera can be completely focused on one character, and the
drama. Sherlock (2010-2017) is one of the most famous crime drama
series, which has won 93 awards, and been nominated for 183.
Crime Dramas can come in a range of different formats, for example, it may be a
one off, self-contained single drama like a documentary. However, it may also
be a series, like Brooklyn 99 (2013-2021).
Horror
In most cases, horror films and TV shows are single camera,
as lighting is vital in horror films, it allows the lighting to be set up for
each shot and allows the watcher to feel a part of the action. Horror can take
many different formats but are usually a single drama so that the viewer
doesn’t get bored and expect the same thing each episode.
Comedy
Some comedy shows, for example The Big Bang Theory
(2007-2019) use multi camera techniques as they are filmed in front of a live
audience. However, Scrubs, another TV comedy series is single camera. The
reasoning behind this is multi camera productions can allow for a more natural
response from the other actor once something funny has ben said. However, in
single camera, is allows the watcher to feel a part of the joke, and like they
are there in the room. Comedies usually run as a series or serial, to allow
viewers to get attached to the characters and therefore find them funnier.
Soap Opera
Commonly, soap operas are filmed using multi camera
techniques. This is because they have many episodes come out and filming needs
to be done quickly, for example Coronation Street (1960-) usually has
3-5 episodes a week. Hollyoaks (1995 -), however is an example of a
single camera soap opera, which is filmed to make the viewer feel like they are
one of the streets. Soap operas are a never-ending serial, where the characters
and storyline develop each episode, but has no ultimate closure. Coronation
Street was first aired 9 December 1960, and has been going since.
Netflix
Netflix is a multibillion-pound production streaming service,
which means their shows usually have a higher look. For example, their tv shows
have a film like quality. Shows such as Squid Game (2021 - ) received
top views for their storyline and quality, which differs from companies such as
NBC and streaming services which perhaps have a smaller budget, for example Brooklyn
99.
Single camera cannot be used for every
style and type of films as certain formats, for example soap opera cannot be
single camera as it would take too log to film each shot for episodes to be
coming out at the rate they do. Comedy shows and sports are the same, if sports
were filmed as single camera, then lots of action would be lost.
References
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