Single Camera Productions
Single Camera Production
By Harrison Sanders
Single camera production is a type of technique where a single camera is used during the production meaning different shots are all taken individually. However a second camera can be used for a close up shot instead of moving the original camera’s position. A single camera is often used in Sports and Sitcoms. Moving the position of the camera creates different angles for the shot. Each shot that makes up the scene is filmed separately.
(Example of single camera)
Single Camera Techniques or single camera set up is a method of filmmaking production. A single camera s used on set which captures each shot and makes each scene independently. Generally single camera setup is used in productions like comedies or situation comedies, dramas and documentaries. For example, a filmmaker shooting a documentary is more likely to use a single camera in the production because its basic and keeps production cost to a minimum. Single camera set ups can be used both in film and video production.
The reason for single camera production:
- It is Easier to film in small spaces
- It keeps equipment costs down
- Also single camera production keeps crew costs down meaning a production can use a small team.
One of the best examples of singles camera use in TV production is the BBC Production situation comedy series “Outnumbered”
In the video above the techniques involved in using the one camera setup are clear to see especially how the same scene is repeated to be shot from different angles. Because of the need for audience intimacy with the characters and realism Outnumbered is filmed this way. Some other examples of sitcoms filmed using this technique are Peepshow (Channel 4 ) and The Office (BBC 2). These sitcoms rely on the realism and intimacy the single camera production produces.
In single camera production, the director has to shoot a scene as many times as there are different shot types. For example, in a conversation between two characters there will be 3 shots required. The first character talking, The second character talking, and a medium shot of both characters. This means that this one scene will be filmed 3 times. The first filming would capture close shots of the first character. The second filming would capture close shots of the second character and the third filming would capture a medium shot of the whole scene. In editing all the shots would be cut into the correct linear or sequential narrative order.
In the television and film industry, it is common to find the single camera mode of production. It can be the prefered method of filming for some directors as they have full control over individual shots. Lighting and camera positioning can be more precise than using multi cameras to film a scene.
In Television there are a number of different formats of programme some of which dependant upon the style of filming the director wishes to achieve lends itself easier than others to single camera production.
Period Dramas are TV shows that could be a mini series , single one off drama or long running series. Based some time in the past the production can benefit from single camera filming techniques to add intimacy , realism and set the mood of the time through the control of lighting.
Single dramas are singular one off productions. They range from short films to feature length. As with a feature film a single narrative is explored throughout the drama and resolved in its conclusion. This type of drama sometimes known as made for TV film can lend themselves to single camera production for a number of reasons. In short film production the use of single camera can be cost effective both from the hire or purchase of equipment and crew needed to operate the equipment. As short film production tends to have a more limited budget than the higher production values of feature films or feature length dramas, then single use camera production can be more cost effective. Production time may not be an issue as much as for a regular TV show or series so allowing for both the editing process and filming to be completed within a given achievable framework. The director would be able to have full control on how the drama feels and looks by concentrating completely on the one camera.
Dramas create a world and tell a story. The story has to be believable to help immerse the viewer and engage them. To build a story multiple variables have to be considered such as the characters, place and length of the drama. To create that belief in the story the scenes need to appear real. When building the story narrative theories are useful.
These are the steps for all traditional stories as stated in Todorov’s Narrative Theories.
1. Equilibrium (everything is as it should be)
2. Disruption (by an event)
3. Recognition of disruption
4. Attempts to repair disruption
5. Return to equilibrium
Using a single camera technique a scene can be build in various ways such as using various angles to film the scene, filming the scene from one characters view then refilming from another's view , shooting an establishing shot like outside of house or view of the location or even shooting a different place to help change meaningness of the parts of the scene.
Disadvantages of Single Camera Productions.
It takes longer to shoot a scene than multi camera productions as to shoot the scene from different angles the camera has to be moved and the whole scene re-filmed.
Single camera production is therefore more time consuming and this can be more costly than multi-camera setup,depending upon the type of production.
The single camera setup needs much more time in post-production and requires careful editing to cut the filmed scenes correctly and sequential.
It is common particularly in sitcoms that productions filmed in front of a live audience will have to use the multi-camera setup as multiple cameras would be the only way to film all the on set ensemble performances. Single camera production therefore can not be effectively used for sitcoms in front of a live audience.
Soap operas are TV serials that have a number of episodes with ongoing storylines set in the same location with regular characters. Soap Operas rely on tight production schedules and quick turnaround for filming. This is usually because they are broadcast in quick succession sometimes more than four times a week. Due to the slower nature of single camera production it would be far to time consuming both in production and post production for the most popular soap operas that broadcast regularly a number of days in the same week to use this style of filming.
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