Multi-Camera Techniques

LO1

In this essay I am going to be analysing multi-camera techniques in live events and studio

productions. Multi-cameras are a multiply amount of cameras from different angles and

distances that are filming/covering an event/ production. This is what the viewer’s see and

what is used to help connect the viewer’s attention to the show.

Live Event

Comedy Show- Kevin Bridges- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpXxkyftpxs

The first live event I have decided to analyse is

a stand-up comedy show. It is important to

have a wide range of different camera angles

during a live event as it enables the viewers to

take in the whole scenery and action of what is

going on from different perspectives. It also

allows them to view the action from different

distances- close-ups, mid-shots, long shots. For

example, during the comedy show, we are able to see different shots of Kevin Bridges

during his performance such as mid-shots, long shots, crowd shots, etc. All these different

shots helps to keep the audience engaged.

The shots used communicate meaning to the viewer in different ways. For example, when

there are shots of the audience, the viewers are able to see their reactions which will then

influence the way in which they react. So, if there is a shot of a member of the audience

laughing or sounds of the audience laughing, then that will automatically make the viewer’s

react the same way. This is almost like they are there at the show and helps keep them

apart of it.

Visual style is how the viewer’s see the programme that they are watching and how well

each shot can change to another with the editing. With the Kevin Bridges comedy show, the

shot change isn’t fast and obvious as such, as it is quite slow but still manages to keep the

viewer’s engaged. The shot changes work well and aren’t drastic or make the viewer

question what is happening.

The camera shots and what is happening on the TV are what helps to maintain the viewer’s

interest. For example, if the whole show consisted of just one shot, it would be very boring

to watch and would definitely loose the viewer’s interest. This is why having a wide range of

different shots is very beneficial to an event

when maintaining the viewer’s interest. For

example, when I watched the Kevin Bridges

clip, I wasn’t bored as what was happening on

the screen and the changing camera’s kept me

interested as a viewer and didn’t make me

think about turning it off. Seeing the

comedian’s facial expressions while he is

speaking is also very good with keeping the viewer’s interested. For example, camera one

brings us in with a mid-shot of Kevin on stage talking, then into a long shot from camera

two. This engages the viewer’s straight away as we can see what is happening. Also, the

shots aren’t stationary as they follow Kevin, but also they change every couple of seconds to

keep the viewer’s engaged. Camera three is a shot of Kevin at the far end of the camera and

then the audience in the background. This draws the viewer’s in as it’s almost like they are

there in the crowd.

There are not many constraints of multi camera use at the comedy show because the action

will be happening in a set place-the stage. Where as in a rugby match for example, it cannot

because the action takes place on a wider place, and also in the audience. The only

constraints of multi camera use at the comedy show is if someone got in the way of the

camera during the show, causing the camera to miss what was happening on stage. Also if a

camera was pointed at the audience and a member of the audience does something

inappropriate, the producers wouldn’t be able to cut it as it’s a live event. Another

constraint that may occur is a power cut. If this was to happen, all the cameras would be cut

and the viewers wouldn’t be able to see anything. This is always a risk during a live event as

they wouldn’t be able to just re-film, instead they will have to carry on, which may result to

a loss of viewer’s.

Multi-Camera simultaneous recordings is when

each camera that is filming a different shot is

connected to a multi-camera console and the

person who is in charge of this console

alternates between the different camera angles and shots which will be shown on TV.

During recording, shots can also be changed by the person controlling the console

communication to the camera operators by using tally lights to change the shot.

Live Event

Rugby- Wales vs. England Highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq4UWfZgt-s

It is important to have multiple cameras in a

sports event because there is so much action

going on that having just one camera would result

in a lot of the action being missed. It also helps

the viewer’s to create a better bond with the

athletes. This can be captured from the range of

different camera shots that will be used, for

example, close ups which enables the viewer to see them and create a bond with them. This

helps to make the sport more involving for the viewer’s making the sport more popular and

enjoyable. Also using a large range of camera angles can help to keep the viewer’s engaged

in the action because it makes it more exciting to watch. Whereas, if it was just one single

camera, it would be very boring to watch as it’s just from one view for the duration of the

80 minute game, making it very non-engaging to its viewer’s. The fact that there is a camera

almost pitch level helps to reach the viewer’s from the athletes level as it is almost like they

are there on the pitch with them.

Multiple cameras are needed at an event such as this one as, again, it helps to keep the

audience interested and captivated in the action that is taking place on their TV screens.

Having a single camera- one camera angle- can cause an audience to get bored and not

want to watch the programme due to lack of interest. Multiple cameras help to make a

sport seem more exciting than it might be in real life as the different angles and views give

the TV audience a good view of all the action that is taking place. In this sports case, action

that is taking place on the pitch is very exciting to watch and the shots of the crowd also

draws attention as it helps to capture the atmosphere in the stadium. Multiple cameras and

angles help to catch all the action that is taking place. For example in rugby, it helps to catch

views of the action from above, on level, and at the side of the pitch. For example, camera is

a brids eye view of the game which gives the viewer’s a chance to see the game from a view no one

in the audience will be able to see. This will have a positive impact on the viewer’s as its something

different and keeps them engaged. The first shots we see from camera one and three are of the

teams coming out onto the pitch. This will draw the viewer’s in staright away as its who they will be

watching, and also means that the game will be starting shortly. These shots also make it feel like

you are there with them as its on their level and close to them.

Depending on the sports event depends on the amount of cameras that would be needed,

for example more cameras and angles would be needed in the example I’ve used of the

rugby game then there would in an indoor sport like swimming as the action in the pool can

be guessed/ predicted and also there is less moving around randomly as it is kept in lanes

and it a more back and forth sport. The action in the rugby game cannot always be

determined so having more cameras in vital to them in order to catch all the action. In the

sports event that I have chosen to talk about, I would guess that there is about 16 cameras

at work that can be moved around to catch different angles and action.

Visual style is how the viewer’s see the programme that they are watching and how well

each shot can change to another with the editing. With the rugby highlights, the shot

changes are quite fast and range widely. This creates an exciting pace and visually helps to

keep the viewer’s interested in what is happening on screen. All these shot changes work

well as they don’t confuse the viewer’s as to what is happening on the pitch, but manage to

show the atmosphere and enthusiasm at the same time.

There are a few constraints of multi camera use at a rugby game because the action cannot

be predicted where as in a swimming event it can be to a certain extent. Example of

constraints of multi camera use at a live rugby game event is if someone was to stand in

front of the camera during an exciting part of the game, it would result in the action being

blocked so people are home wouldn’t know what had happened. Another example would

be if a member of the audience was to do something inappropriate, the camera would not

be able to cut this out as it is a live event so this is a reason why it is very risky filming the

audience. Another constraint is that if an athlete was to have an accident while they are

being filmed, the people operators would have to act fast to prevent the audience from

seeing any distressing images as this would not be able to be shown at this time during the

day on TV.

Multi-Camera simultaneous recordings is when each camera that is filming a different shot

is connected to a multi-camera console and the person who is in charge of this console

alternates between the different camera angles and shots which will be shown on TV.

During recording, shots can also be changed by the person controlling the console

communication to the camera operators by using tally lights to change the shot.

Studio Production

Jonathan Ross show- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj9epgQedSI

It is important for a chat show to have a

multitude of different cameras so that they

can capture all the action that is taking

place on the stage, for example the show

that I have chosen has a host that usually

stays at his desk while the guest sits on a

couch next to the host. But sometimes the

host- Jonathan Ross- will get up from there

if he and the guest are doing something practical. So this is why it is good to have a range of

different cameras to capture all the shots of what is happening. This is so the audience is

able to see what is happening and react along with it in the instance.

In this clip from The Jonathan Ross show, there are roughly 7 different cameras used. This is

a normal amount needed for a standard chat show. As there isn’t much action going on,

because they are sitting and talking, most of the cameras are static and focused on the

different faces of the presenter and guests to capture them talking and the facial

expressions as they are using while talking. This is done by facing cameras on the guests and

host at all times, and then changing between the different cameras for when each one talks.

The cameras are set up this way as it is a comic chat show, so the viewer’s at home can see

each person and not miss out on any jokes or action. They see everything as it is happening.

This is important so the viewers can feel as if they are there. In this chat show, like many

others, there is a live audience in the studio. This helps to create a strong connection

between the people who are actually there and the presenter and guests. But, for those

that aren’t there, the producers want to try and create the same effect by using multiple

cameras and getting even closer to the people so the audience watching still have the

opportunity to create and feel a bond. Many of the camera positions and angles used are in

places of where the live audience can see. This is done so that the viewer can watch the

show from the live audience’s point of view.

For example, camera one- which is a mid-shot- is positioned on the main presenter,

Jonathan Ross. This is to capture his reactions as well as when he is talking and asking the

guests questions. Camera two is a wide shot of the presenter and guests. This is used to

show all of them at once from a different angle and show them responding to each other

and their reactions as the show continues. Camera three is positioned on a single guest-

Kevin Hart- which helps to show and create a bond between the viewer and that one guest

in particular. It also helps to show who is being focused on and the different expressions

that guest is showing. This is stereotypical of chat shows to keep the audience entertained

and a close connection to the actors or comedians featured on the show. By using this

techniques it communicates to the audience as they can see close ups of the actors and

laugh with them. There is also a camera used for all the guests, this is used to show them all

together to capture them all talking and having a conversation from the audience’s point of

view.

The visual style of the chat show is of a

slower pace compared to my example of

the rugby live event. This is because it

focuses more on the guests and host for a

lot longer, creating a calmer and more

relaxed atmosphere. The studio is also well

lit, with good lighting to help capture every emotion of the people on screen, for example

the host, guest and even live audience.

Using multiple cameras in this show is important, primarily so the audience is entertained,

amused and engaged throughout the whole show. Some of the constraints and issues they

may come across are that the cameras are big and could be hard to move around depending

on what they are trying to capture. Another issue is that within a studio there are many

dangerous and unpredictable pieces of equipment, for example the lighting. Also the

cameras are on the ground, so the host and guests have to try and keep there show in the

area of the camera. For example, if something was to happen in the audience, the viewers

wouldn’t be able to see it as the cameras are positioned the opposite way.

Multi-Camera simultaneous recordings is when each camera that is filming a different shot

is connected to a multi-camera console and the person who is in charge of this console

alternates between the different camera angles and shots which will be shown on TV.

During recording, shots can also be changed by the person controlling the console

communication to the camera operators by using tally lights to change the shot.

Studio Production

Armstrong and Miller show- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GABT_l6VF0

The second studio production I have decided to analyse is

a clip from the sitcom ‘Armstrong and Miller show’. It is

important to have a range of different camera angles in a

studio production like this because it gives a sense of

where it is taking place and who is in the scene. This then

enables the viewers to take in the whole scenery and

action of what is going on from different perspectives.

Having shots from different angles and places also allows

the viewers to experience the show and what is happening from different distances- close-

ups, mid-shots, long shots. For example, we are brought in with a long shot of everyone in

the scene as it moves round, and are able to determine that it is taking place in the mess.

There are also mid shots and close-ups during the scene. All these different shots help to

keep the audience engaged.

The shots used communicate meaning to the viewer in different ways. For example, when

there are mid-shots Miller and Armstrong talking, the viewers are able to see their reactions

which will then influence the way in which they react. There is also the effect of background

laughing which has been added in. this will again influence the way in which the viewer’s

react. The sounds of the audience laughing will automatically make the viewer’s react the

same way. This is almost like they are there with them and helps keep them apart of it.

Visual style is how the viewer’s see the programme that they are watching and how well

each shot can change to another with the editing. With the Armstrong and Miller show, the

shot changes aren’t fast paced and confusing to watch. Instead, it is slower paced making

sure the viewer’s understand what is going on and who is saying what. Changing shots also

helps to keep the audience engaged.

The camera shots and what is happening on the TV are what helps to maintain the viewer’s

interest. For example, if the whole show consisted of just one shot, it would be very boring

to watch and would definitely loose the viewer’s interest. This is why having a range of

different shots is very beneficial when trying to maintain the viewer’s interest. For example,

when I watched the Armstrong and Miller show clip, I wasn’t bored as what were happening

on the screen- what they were saying and the actions- and the changing camera’s kept me

interested as a viewer and didn’t make me want to stop watching it. Seeing the characters

facial expressions while they were speaking is also very good when hoping to keep the

viewer’s interested. For example, camera two, which is a mid-shot of an officer informing

the pilots with information keeps the viewers attention as it is a quick shot which changes to

camera one with a long-shot. Due to the first shot from camera one not being a stationary

shot, it makes the scene more interesting to watch. Camera three is an over-the-shoulder

type shot of the two sitting at the table. This draws the viewer’s in as it’s almost like they

are there sat next to them o in the audience.

The constraints of a studio location usually involve space. This is because in a studio you

only have a certain amount of space, so you will have to make sure that you only use the

space that you need and make the most of what room you have got. You can then use

lighting and the different camera angles to make the set look the size you want it on screen.

If you have a small set then there is less space for cameras, so this is why they used the

camera one as a panning shot. This may have been because they couldn’t fit as many

cameras onto the set as they could on a bigger set like the chat show I analysed before.

Another constraint of a studio is that moving cameras around can be quite difficult, so some

of the time a show is made up of stationary cameras because of lack of space. This is shown

in the chat show where nearly all of the cameras were stationary.

Multi-Camera simultaneous recordings is when each camera that is filming a different shot

is connected to a multi-camera console and the person who is in charge of this console

alternates between the different camera angles and shots which will be shown on TV.

During recording, shots can also be changed by the person controlling the console

communication to the camera operators by using tally lights to change the shot. This is

mostly used in live events as there is a lot of action to cover. This technique can also be used

in a studio, but as the events in a studio aren’t live it isn’t as important. But in game shows

such as Pointless, this technique would’ve been used to show the reactions of certain

people in the show at certain times, as well as following conversations that would have

taken place. The editing team will then be able to choose the footage that they want to use

for the finished edit of the programme. So the use of this technique is important because it

provides variety in shots that help keep the audience engaged and interested in what is on

the screen.