Unit 23 assignment 1

Examples of programmes that use multi camera productions 

X FACTOR

LOOSE WOMEN

I'M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE!

DEAL OR NO DEAL

SKY NEWS

FOOTBALL AND SPORTS EVENTS

STRICTLY COME DANCING

JEREMY KYLE

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND

FRIENDS

A multi camera production means a programme that needs more than one camera to film, to capture every detail needed to keep the audience interested. Usually using over several cameras and camera men/women are employed on the set and simultaneously record or broadcast a scene. Multi camera productions involves various shots and angles, when we are watching a football match they're are many different players and we need to see the match from different angles and perspectives for example mid shots, birds eye view and close ups. Programmes such as live news need to be filmed with multi cameras to capture everything perfectly such as special guests, the news reporters, videos and weather and interviewers because there's a lot to film with just one camera. Film's also use multi camera productions whilst filming dance routines in musicals and dance films to capture every aspect of the dance. This is also used when filming expensive stunts this is used because it's too expensive to only use one camera and everything needs to be perfectly capture in different shots and angles. Although they're are two different types of multi camera productions, one uses a vision mixer this means the shots are changed by changing the channel whilst being filmed live example cutting to a break or different material and the second type is recorded on tape where this can be then edited in post production process. With multi camera sitcoms will only be 'fixed' locations in the show. For example there will be a "front door" that leads into the living room from the right of the set, which will feed into a kitchen on the left side of the set. There's usually a flight of stairs directly behind the couch in the living room, etc. Also, practically every multi cam sitcom will be a laugh track and you can see the generic conventions immediately. Friends is a good example because this scene is set in Monica and Rachel's apartment, which is one of the shows most used sets as we see this in every episode. There is a front door that leads to the kitchen and the front room. They also use laughing tracks when a character has said something funny. But a downside to multi camera productions is that there is less control over the angles of various shots and there is obviously a more limited range of shooting locations so it has to be filmed on a simple set. 

Multi camera production diagrams

SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION

A single camera production uses one camera, that are able to get up in the actors face, which helps the audience to feel what the characters are feeling by the camera movements and it's more free from the constraints of a multi camera setup. It's also free range and is able to be allowed the freedom of movement so we can see a lot more interesting movement with the camera shots. This also allows more varied cinematography and creative expression since the camera isn't stuck in one spot in a generic sitcom set up. This can mean that the show can have more complicated sets and a much higher prevalence for exterior shots. Single camera sitcoms also rarely use a laugh track when a character says something funny. They are generally far more energetic/layered than a traditional sitcom, especially since the actors don't have to compete with a laugh track, or have to deal with the other limitations of a typical multi camera studio set. 

EXAMPLES OF SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS...

 These programmes I have chosen pictures of are all single camera productions. Television producers make a distinct decision to shoot in single-camera or multiple-camera unlike film producers who almost always opt for single-camera shooting. In television, single-camera is mostly reserved for prime-time dramas, made for TV films, music videos and advertisements. And soap operas, talk shows and some sit coms more frequently use the multiple camera set up. The reason that these examples of Single Camera Productions have used this method of filming is because they use the technique to have specific camera angles and camera movements in their programmes. Mostly television producers use the multi-camera technique because it's a lot cheaper and takes less production time. Because these are single camera television shows they are mostly produced without a laugh track. 

The following web links talk about the pros and cons of working in a multi camera set up.

http://journeytosuccess92.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/multi-camera-techniques.html

http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-single-camera-versus-multiple-camera-filmmaking

http://jacksinglecameraproductionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-single.html

 Summary of these websites the pros and cons are...

• Time Saving – If you wish to view the same scene from many different angles, using a single camera set up would require the scene to be acted out three times. With a multi-camera set up footage of all three angles can be recorded at once.
• Live Events - Some events occur live and simply could not be repeated so that they could be filmed from multiple angles. This may include things such as sports matches or concerts
• Live Audience - Sometimes it is beneficial for a television show to have a live studio audience, to provide feedback to the writers and director in regards to the reception of their production and also to provide a laugh track. A multi-camera set up enables the scene to flow and allows the audience to react.
• Continuity - There would be less continuity errors using a multi=camera set up as the scene would only be being acted once.
• Editing - It will not be necessary to use time and money editing as this will have been done during production using a vision mixing desk.

Despite the above points there are times when Single camera production is a more viable option. Here are the con’s of Multi-camera production.

• Less flexibility - There are limited options on where camera’s can be placed in a scene. For example you may not be able to do an over the shoulder or point of view shot for fear of getting the recording equipment caught on camera.
• Lighting compromises - It will take a lot longer to light a multi-camera shoot than it would a single camera production because more of the scene will be on show. A better lighting set up would be achieved if the cinematographer only had to focus on how the scene would look from one camera angle. Also it is important to remember there are more people on set and avoid placing lights in places that could cast shadows across a scene.

One important thing to consider in any type of production is Cost. I feel it definitely needs mentioning however as times have changed it no longer seems to be a pro or a con…

• Cost – Initially equipment costs were what prevented multi-camera set ups from bein used. However in recent years equipment costs have lowered. Multi-camera may in some cases be the cheaper option nowadays if you consider the amount of money spent on locations, crew, and actors in a much longer single camera production.

The following types of broadcast use multi camera set ups:

Panel Show - 8 Out Of 10 Cats

"This programme uses multi camera techniques. The timecode 00:20-00.45 which shows how they have used different cameras to show mid shots of the guests who are starring on the show. They then show a wide shot at 00.53 and then zoom into the the host Jimmy Carr's face to show the audience who is hosting the show. We then see a tracking shot of the audience and panel at 26.14-26.17, this shows us that they have used more than one camera because if they we're only using one camera the show would be seen to the audience like this. 

So they have to use more than one camera because it would really boring for the audience and also viewers want to see the guests reactions to jokes and close up's of their faces. 

Quiz show - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Quiz shows need to use Multi Camera Productions to give the programme an intense vibe to make the audience wonder if the guest will win the quiz or not and walk away with a million pounds. 

While the questions are being asked at by the quiz host we see a high angle tracking shot  at 00.53-1.04 that moves down into a mid shot of the guests face. 

In my opinion I think this technique adds intensity to the show and captures every aspect of the show, plus if the camera was just on both men and they we're just asking each other questions it would be rather boring so choosing shots and soundtracks makes this multi-camera production a much more enjoyable show. 

Also at 2.19-2.20 we see a member of the audience overjoyed that the man has won a large sum of money, involving the studio audience into the show adds a sense of realism and this could only be achieved whilst using more than one camera.

Studio News - Sky News

At 0.16-0.36 we see a reporter in mid-show informing the viewers on a news topic in a studio with a multi-cam set up, showing the reporter speaking to the camera informing the audience about what is going on in America when 9/11 just happened.  

The camera then cuts to a VT showing the live footage of the buildings, they use multiple cameras to show 

Sports Events - Football Match

 "This programme uses multi camera techniques. The timecode 00:01-00:04 shows how they have used  one camera to wide shots of the field and then from 00:34 to 00:37  they have cut from a wide shot to a medium long shot of a player with the ball. They have had to use more than one camera because has to follow the action of the ball and filming a sporting event from one camera position would be really boring for the audience." 

Comparison:
When looking at 8 out of 10 cats compared to the live football coverage, they have both used successful methods of interesting the audience by following the action, Which is giving the audience the action from different angles and showing all of the action.  Out of these two multi-camera productions, i would say that the football coverage is most successful as it is keeping the match interesting for the audience as well as showing the action thoroughly and from different angles. I don't believe that this live coverage will have been able to be filmed as a single camera production as it would just be one static shot throughout, making it quite boring for the audience as well as not showing the whole action.