Task 1 - Single camera vs. Multi camera.

Single camera vs. multi camera.

 

In video production there are 2 types of camera techniques used to record a production, these are single and multi-camera techniques, here I will discuss what they both are, both negative and positive aspects of each set up, and why each set up is used for certain types of video recording.

Single camera techniques.

Single camera technique is a technique using only one camera. Each shot is taken with the same camera but moved and re set up to give different angles and different shots. This is done for every shot that you see cut back and forth. however that doesn’t mean to say that all the shots taken are in the order they will appear in on the finally video or even that they were taken on the same day, these shots are then later edited together to produce a video in sequence.

Single camera techniques are often used for movies, prime time dramas, advertisements, and music videos. This is due to the director being able to have more creative control over the video produced.

Here are examples of single camera techniques being used:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BlHY69ZsZ0

Here is a clip from step brothers, as you can see there are definite cuts between the scene, from the 2 brothers, to the parents, to the wide shot of all characters. These would have all been taken using a single camera. All the wide shot scenes would have been shot at the same time, the same for the close up of the brothers and the same for the parents, they then would have been edited together to produce the sequence that was finally used in the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIQToVqDMb8

Here is a music video as we can see there are clear obvious cuts in the scenes which show us that the single camera technique has been used here. Not only does the characters change some times but the whole location and scene changes, however there is an exception to this particular video as a multi camera technique has been used at 1:09 in the video to record an explosion scene as a single camera would not be able to capture the 2 shots in the time of one explosion, even though it is still classed as a single camera production.

 

Pros of using a single camera technique:

·         Director has more control over each shot.

·         More control over lighting

·         If one actor makes a mistake the whole scene is not ruined.

 

Cons of using a single camera technique.

·         More time consuming as equipment has to be moved and re set up.

·         More editing as each shot has to be edited together

·         More expensive

·         Difficult to capture action

Here is an example of a single camera set up:

 

Here the camera would typically film person A. once all the shots required are taken the camera would then switch position to focus on person B and capture the required shots finally these shots are edited to create a production.

Sourced:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-camera_setup

 

 

Multi camera technique

Multi camera technique is a technique using 2 or more cameras, however typically there are 4 used. These cameras will all be constantly videoing or recording the whole take at the same time, with no interruptions from start to finish. The cameras on set carry out instruction from a director who decides which camera will be used and when throughout a production. This is achieved by the director usually located in a room with each camera view shown on its own screen, there will then be a master screen to which the final production will be displayed in real time. The director will give orders to the camera operators of which he wants to display creating a seamless recording or live feed of the production/ event.

This technique is used to record many program formats such as soap operas, sport events, live TV, and talk shows. It is also sometimes used in movies or programs with big action scenes such as explosions, to provide multiple angled shots from one take.

 

Here are some examples of multi camera technique being used:

In these clips we can see it is clear that more than one camera has been used to create the production. There are numerous shots wide angle and close-ups of the same scene, and a live audience in both clips:

The big bang theory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXPH5j-KWFA

it would be impractical to use single camera techniques for this type of production, because it is filmed in front of a live audience the scenes would need to be acted out in sequence for the viewers to understand, and if a single camera technique was used it would take far too long to record even one episode with all the scene and angle changes.

 

Khan and Prescott fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shUqYIkMXu0

Again it would be very impractical to use a single lens technique for this type of production as all the action in the fight or even the whole fight would be missed if you were to move the camera and set up to capture a different angle.

 

Pros of using a multi camera technique:

·         It’s quicker: as there is no need to re light or re set up scenes, there is no need to re set up camera to capture different angled shots.

·         Less editing to do as shots from the same scene do not have to be edited together

·         A lot easier to capture action as its being captured from multiple cameras and multiple angles.

·         It is consistent, keeps up the consistency of soaps/ live broadcast programs

·         Not as expensive as single camera techniques as there is a lot less editing to be done.

 

 

Cons of using a single camera technique.

·         Lighting issues as there will need to be compromise for all camera angles

·         Less flexibility, needing to keep equipment and other cameras out of the shots

·         A bigger production team is needed

·         If an actor makes a mistake it effects everyone in that scene.

 

Here is an example of a multi camera set up:

Sourced: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-camera_setup

Here cameras 1 and 4 would be used to concentrate on the main characters of the set and also providing the close up shots. Cameras 2 and 3 would be used to capture the wide angled shots capturing all the action and establishing the scenes space.

Although this is not an exact replica of the layout used by all TV productions it is set out similar to receive the same results.

 

In conclusion both techniques have their pros and cons, but both are suited to their type of production, using a single camera technique where a multi camera technique is needed and vice versa is impractical and would cause complications throughout the productions.