Unit 22 - Single Camera Production

Task 2

Single Camera production uses one camera during the filming of a scene, to get all the action. The shot angles and sizes can be changed by stopping the actors and moving the camera and starting the action again. A major benefit of using a single camera is that you don’t have to worry about other cameras being in shot.Using a single camera set-up allows the director to shoot out of sequence. For example in the comedy 'Citizen Khan' which has two locations, all of the mosque scene will be shot on one day and the interior house on another; the story might open in the house continual to the mosque go back to the house and end in the mosque. In a dialogue scene, the over the shoulder filming would not change camera position until the actor's lines are complete, the camera would then change position and film the other actor's lines. The shots will then be edited to appear as one continuous, fluent dialogue (continuity editing)

In a single camera production the director may choose to pan between subjects. The director can film longer takes or he can stop the camera and film from a new angle to get the shots he needs. When you film single-camera production, you're stuck with the footage you get. The first and probably most disadvantageous aspect of shooting with single-camera production is that you only get one angle at a time.

When directing single camera shows, the directors feel that by filming a single camera programme appeals more realistic and you touch a lot of the audience's hearts

Multi-camera productions are most often talk shows, sporting events and newscasts. Most multi-camera productions use 5 or more cameras that run simultaneously to catch the same action rather than having to run a scene over and over as is typical with most single camera shoots because if you are recording live you don't want scenes to be playing over and over gain. Additionally, they are extremely useful during live events because one camera can be focused on one individual or moment while the other cameras catch the reactions of other participants in that same scene or activity. multi-camera shots that are required are then selected then put together during the editing process.

With multi-camera production, you can get different angles and different takes at the same time, using different people operating different cameras. If one shot from the center looks bad, you can always replace those frames with a shot from the right or left to easily and quickly cover things up. On multiple camera production you have more freedom on how the camera moves - freedom in shooting on location in smaller rooms, etc. - if you're shooting each angle separately you have more freedom to control everything for each shot like lighting.