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SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION

Single Camera Production

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SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION

Why use single camera?

Film producers almost always choose to shoot using a single camera set-up. The name single camera is a little misleading as multiple cameras are used at times. This tends to be for action sequences which would be too costly to repeat numerous times. Single camera set-ups have been in use since the earliest days of film. Back then it simply was not possible to synchronize multiple cameras for a single set up. Nowadays filmmakers choose to shoot in single camera because it results in high quality results. This is important in film which is shown in the cinema on a large screen and requires higher resolution images than television. Also the larger screen means that more detail is visible.

The detail in this shot of The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) would be lost on a smaller, low resolution screen.

Advantages of single camera

Higher quality more detailed images due to fewer logistical compromises.

Fewer cameras are needed.

Smaller crew as fewer camera operators are required.

Greater portability.

Director on set instead of in a control room. This enables the director to interact directly with cast and crew.

Disadvantages of Single Camera

Takes longer to shoot than a multi-camera set up.

Having to adjust lighting between shots.

Time in the editing room.

More risk of continuity errors or mismatched action.

Often more expensive.

Blocking and Staging

The New York Film Academy website defines blocking as “working out an actor’s moves in relation to the camera.” It is essentially choreography for actors. It is important in single camera production as it helps work out problems in advance. It consists of:

1. Blocking – Figuring out where the actor needs to be and when.

2. Lighting – The cinematographer lights the set and positions the camera.

3. Camera Rehearsal – The actors run through the scene with the crew.

4. Adjustments – Any necessary adjustments (lighting etc.) are made.

5. Shooting – Filming of the first scene.

Formats

Series: A TV show consisting of a a short number of related episodes eg. Broadchurch or Friends. This type of show can be single or multi-camera.

Serial: A long number of episodes in which a continuing plot is relied upon eg. Eastenders or Coronation Street. These shows are often multi-camera in order to save time as large numbers of episodes are filmed.

Single Drama: A one off drama production eg. Jane Eyre or The White Queen. Often done using single camera techniques for a higher quality finish. These programmes only consist of a few episodes so more time can be spent on creating a better product.

The Single camera sitcom Spaced uses dramatic lighting and unusual camera angles to homage films such as The Shining , One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and The Matrix. The cinematic look of the show could not have been achieved using a multi-camera set-up.

Sitcom Arrested Development uses handheld camerawork, narration, split screen, archival footage and flashbacks. All of these devices are best suited to a single camera production.

Narrative/Story

Single Strand: One story is told from start to finish.

Multi-strand Narrative: Two or more stories told at the same time often weaving in and out of each other.

Linear Narrative: This is the simplest form of narrative structure. The plot starts at the beginning of the story proceeds to the middle and then to the end. It is suitable for both single and multi-camera productions.

Non-Linear: The plotting of non-linear narratives is more complex. The story is presented out of order. For example it may begin at the end and end at the beginning. Examples of non-linear narratives include Pulp Fiction, Memento and Rashomon. This is best suited to single camera productions.

Flashback: A point where the present day narrative is interrupted by an episode from the past. The opposite of this is a flash-forward where the narrative leaps ahead in time before returning to the present. Such devices are best suited to single camera productions.

Genre

Movies and TV shows can be categorised into various genres. Popular television genres include medical, costume, crime, comedy and supernatural. Popular film genres include action, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, horror and romance. These genres can be further subdivided, such as slasher movies which are a subgenre of horror, or mixed to create new genres such as romantic comedy. Different genres are shot in different ways for example we might expect the pace of a crime movie to be much faster than that of a costume drama or the lighting of a comedy to be much brighter than that of a horror.

IconographyWe expect to see certain images or elements in films depending on their genre. This is called iconography. For example horror iconography includes blood, darkness/shadows, knives, masked killers and mist/fog. Despite being filmed nearly 30 years apart Halloween (1978) and Scream (1996) share many similar elements.

LIGHTING

During the 50s the preferred method of shooting a sitcom was with a multi-camera set-up. Cinematographer Karl Freund developed a style of high key lighting which eliminated shadows making it easier to cut between multiple cameras. Filmmakers using single camera were able to use more dramatic lighting as they used a single camera set-up. Low key lighting was especially popular in horror and noir films. Lighting for a single camera can be very specific. When more than one camera is being used the lighting must be adjusted to accommodate all cameras and cameras may need to be moved to ensure they do not appear in shot.

Lighting set-up for a single camera news item.

The Big Combo (1955)This dramatic low key lighting was in stark contrast to the flat look of television at the time

Murder my Sweet (1945)The shadows in this scene enhance the dark tone of the story and add a psychological dimension.

I Love LucyThe high key lighting on this show ensured that cameras could be placed almost anywhere and be able to capture a well lit shot.

FriendsThis modern multi-camera sitcom also used a high key lighting style and was filmed in front of a live studio audience.

In an interview on The Charlie Rose Show (21/12/12) director Quentin Tarantino stated “It’s standard on most movies now and all television shows to at the very least have two cameras operating at all times… but you have to split your lighting. I don’t want that. I have one camera on the set and the only shot we’re shooting is the one I’m framing.” Such nuanced lighting as in this shot of Inglourious Basterds (2009) would be difficult to achieve using multiple cameras.

Editing

Multi-camera productions are mostly edited live (vision mixing) whereas single camera productions are edited after filming when all the relevant footage is gathered. Keeping an accurate record of the footage (called a log) whilst filming helps cut time down in the editing room. Editing consist of 4 main steps:

1. Previewing the raw footage.

2. Preparing the session.

3. Laying down the shots.

4. Recording and labelling the final tape or disk.