Single Camera Techniques

In this essay I will be looking at single camera techniques that are used in film and television. Single Camera techniques have become very popular in recent years with audiences and broadcasters and are mainly used for drama series. With the popularity of Single Camera techniques increasing, this means that there will be more job opportunities for people that specify in using this technique. In this unit, I have been looking at single camera techniques and bringing it together with everything that I have learnt over previous units to develop my ideas my productions.

Single Camera techniques means using only one camera. Using only one camera is effective because it builds suspense in a drama or horror. It’s a technique that is very effective and grabs the interest of the audience into the production. Sometimes single camera shots aren’t always used if a scene has to be filmed that may contain a stunt. Single camera techniques are effective because it allows the audience to see from every character’s perspective. When filming a single camera production it is split up into sections of scenes and requires the actors to film the scene several times from different angles. This is effective as it allows the actor to get into the character.

Lighting in a single camera production becomes much easier to have control over. This is because all of the shots of the scene are shot individually. For example, if shooting a scene with multiple cameras, the lighting must be the same as each shot that each camera is taking. If not, the lighting looks inconsistent. Whereas shooting with a single camera makes the scene look a lot more fluent and makes the style the scene has been shot look effective.

Using sound in single camera techniques requires professional and decent sound equipment as built in microphones on cameras isn’t good quality. High quality equipment would include using a boom mic or separate microphones for each person. If the sound that is used on a production is good this can improve the production a lot. It makes it clearer and easier to follow. When filming with single cameras, one of the requirements to use overlay. This means to leave a little bit at the start and end of each scene to make sure that the whole scene was captured. Some of the dialogue used in the scene isn’t often used from the same take. It’s normally dubbed over the top of various takes. If shooting an over the shoulder shot or cutaways that it isn’t essential to see the character that is speaking.

Coverage is important in filmmaking because in comparison to digital storage, film is expensive. However when filming digital video it is much cheaper, this means the director can shot as much as he wants including the rehearsals because cost isn’t an issue. Before filming it is essential to work out how many hours of film you have and what of it you need. This can take a long time and cost money. When shooting a scene, it is essential to shot the scene from a variety of angles so that there is enough coverage to use after finishing filming. This way, no scenes have to be reshot.

All of the editing in single camera production takes place after the film has been filmed in an editing studio. If filming is needed at one location but for a number of scenes, filming is done all at the location at the same time. At a specific location it could be for a number of scenes or just one. Multiple camera productions such as sports events or talent contests are normally edited live. For example, whilst filming the Olympic Games, the editing would have been done live. The cameras would flick from each camera to get it from different perspective. This however wouldn’t work using a single camera as it would be boring for the viewer at wouldn’t allow them to look up close at the action.

Filming a single camera production must be planned and prepared in detail. This is because if a scene hasn’t been filmed and is not on the coverage, the cast and crew have to go back and shot the scene or if because of financial issues or time schedule filming is impossible, then the scene that hasn’t been shot would have to be cut out of the production. Many scenes are not filmed in the order of the script; however the production team would look at the script and can decide what needs to be filmed, when and where.

When building a script these points are important to the development of it. Firstly, building the story of what is going to happen in the production and what the audience is going to like and relate to. The structure and style of the production would make the production more real and the characters and plot of the production is what the audience are going to be interested in. When considering what to have in a scene, the main points are the location it is set, the characters in the scene and the progress in which the scene helps the story to develop.

There are many genres that use single camera techniques but some are more common than others. A period drama is set in the past and using a single camera creates an atmosphere of a specific period in time. Period films and TV shows are often about adventure or romance. Set, props, and costumes have to be taken into consideration when filming a period drama. Drama Documentaries combine dramas and documentaries together to dramatize what the documentary is about. Crime dramas also use single camera techniques in order to show from the point of view of the villain or detective. TV show such as ‘Sherlock’ uses single camera techniques.

Horror films use single camera because it makes the production more real and make it more personal and make the audience scared if a specific part of the production is meant to be frightening. Soap operas such as ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Coronation Street’ normally use multiple cameras to film however some are filmed using a single camera if for example there’s only one person in the scene. However, Brookside was filmed with single camera technique.

As well as the same as soap operas, comedy shows are also used using multiple cameras but a comedy series such as scrubs is used using single camera. Comedy is good with multiple cameras because if a character says something funny, it’s good to see the other characters reaction which could also be amusing.

Whereas the Linear is where narrative follows the sequence of a beginning, the middle and an end sequence. The Non-Linear format is where there isn’t a sequence and the story is told through flashbacks throughout. A realist narrative aims to show a realistic of a character or an event where as a non-realist narratives that the audience can see is fictional.

An open ending often occurs in a film where the audience are left with a cliff-hanger which could lead to either another episode or film being made about what happened next. This is used in the film ‘Castaway’ as we know that the character escapes of the island but we don’t know much about what he did after that. A closing ending occurs when there is a conclusion or resolution to the storyline. This would leave the audience satisfied as they know what happened. This is often used in romance and action/adventures. A series is a sequel of episodes that run over a period of time in each series which eventually come to an end. For example, ‘Sherlock’ is series and episodes in each series.

A serial is a continuously running set of episodes. A prime example of this is soaps such as Coronation Street which has been running for more than 50 years. A single drama is a single episode with the story being told in one episode.

The advantages of single camera techniques consist of the director having more control over the production and the scenes don’t have to be shot in order so the cast and crew are not waiting to film certain scenes. Also, multiple runs of doing a scene allows actors to get into character and if they make a mistake it can easily be repeated. The disadvantages are it can be a long process filming, whilst filming there could be continuity errors costs more money. Advantages of multiple camera shots consist of continuity are less frequently and the filming can be done quicker. The disadvantages consists of the lightning can be hard to control and the director has little control. A single camera set-up moves in the scene to make it more realistic and looks as though it comes from someone’s perspective. An example of this is ‘Peep Show’ as the camera moves around the room and shows from perspective of characters. I think that single camera techniques are very effective when used and also a lot easier to handle as there is more control over the production.