UNIT 22: Single camera techniques

TASK 1

Task 1: Understanding 'single camera production'

a) Define 'single camera production':

Using one camera during the whole production

b) Identify the advantages and disadvantages of single camera production (refer to examples where you can):

Advantages small budget - less crew, cheaper  easy set up  less space required for shooting  realistic  fewer cuts create more natural/beautiful shots  take time to set a perfect shot	Disadvantages can only shoot one angle at a time more time consuming to cover all the camera shots and editing - filming longer move and relight - camera angles and lighting

c) How does multi-camera differ to single camera productions?

Multi camera differs to single camera as multiple shots are obtained in a single take without having to start and stop the action.
disadvantage - 

Expensive because there is more than one camera so more staff too. Lots of Studio work
several camera so you need a crew to work them and pay them

advantage - 

multi cam works with several cameras on set
typically used in a studio setting
edited live -  it is a quick process and saves time
lighting is above the studio floor - it is controlled remotely which is easier and faster to set it up, keeps the continuity of the production
quicker to film
varsity of different shots in one take
if one camera doesn't work you still have other camera to use

d) List 3 examples of single camera shows/films (aim for different genres)

1) The Office 

2) Alice in Wonderland 

3)  

List 3 examples of multi-camera shows (aim for different genres)

1) Mock The Week

2) Friends 

3) The Big Bang Theory 

e) What is the definition of genre? Why is this important for audiences?

Genre is the type/style of film or tv show eg drama, action

This is important for the audience because it shows them what type of film they are watching and what to expect from the film.

Format

single - self contained story 60-90 minutes 

serial format - multiple instalments, several episodes 

series - continuing characters to tell a different story each week 

Genre
categorising films based on their theme 

list of genres : 
action 
comedy
romance
sci fi - aliens, spaceships, lasers
horror
thriller
drama 
adventure 
fantasy 

Series	stranger things
Single drama	Black mirror
Crime drama genre	true detective
Soap Opera genre	eastenders
Sitcom/Comedy	the office (us)
Linear narrative	toy story
Nonlinear narrative	Bad Times At The El Royale
Flashback narrative	Titanic
Open ending narrative
Closed ending narrative
Realist narrative
Anti-realist narrative

Platforms

single camera platforms - tv, film festivals, online youtube, social media 

Framing - two elements 

shot size: how far away the object/person is that the directors wants us to focus on 

camera angle: where the camera is in relation to the object/person that the director wants us to focus on 

• the director has put a lot of thought process and makes the final decisions 
• the story will mean certain things need to be shown on screen but the director can choose how to show this - this is why we have a variety of camera angles 
• different camera angles can show us different points of view 
• camera angles can build the story, setting, establish different characters - where the location is and what can potentially happen 

1. extreme long shot 

shows she is completely alone in the desert

2.long shot

establishes main characters all together






3. medium long shot 











4.medium shot 

5.medium close up

 

6.close up

   

7.big close up

  

8.extreme close up 

 see the anger in his eyes 

Camera Angles

1. over the shoulder 

shows who the conversation is between 

2.low angle

shows that they are in control 

3.high angle

conveys that they are looking up 

4.canted -  A camera angle which is deliberately slanted to one side

5.birds eye - as seems from a birds vision 

6.worms eye -a view as seen from below or from a humble position.

7.eye level -An eye level shot refers to when the level of your camera is placed at the same height as the eyes of the characters in your frame. 

Four categories of camera movement 

• pan & tilt -  (horizontal) camera pivots from left to right / used to readjust the frame/ convention requires it to be brief / ARC shot where it pivots around a 360 degree. tilt - up to down / down to up calls attention to new areas of the scene (vertical)
• dolly/tracking - the camera on the tripod and base physically travels through space , they produce motion perspective 
• boom/crane - mounting a camera on a boom/ crane creates a powerful dramatic effect by revealing the scale of the scene of the action 
• steadicam - mechanical system which produces very steady, jitter free 

to reveal dramatic information by enlarging the viewers field of view 

it expresses a dynamic sense of movement that makes a shot / scene more sensuous or dramatically exciting 

not always the same dramatic effect 

lens movement - zoom out/in 

Framing styles 

tight framing - image where there is a lack of space around the subject and gives a sense of constriction ( close up )

loose framing -refers to shots where there is a great deal of space around the subject ( mid long shot) dramatic effect give isolation / freedom 

deep focus framing - object / characters remain in sharp focus from positions near and far from the camera , helps to build a story and relationship between the two characters 

lighting continuity - about the creative choice to maintain or willingly not maintain lighting consistency throughout a sequence of shots 

Narrative

Act one - the beginning. the main character or characters are introduced as is the setting and the story begins

Act two - the story becomes more complicated, especially for the protagonist they have overcome an obstacles

Act three - the resolution of the story , where the various strands of the narrative tie up

The Five Step Structure

1. Exposition - this is where the story begins, and we are told essential information. the setting is established 
2. Development - the story progresses, the situation begins to change 
3. Complication - An event, or events, change the situations for the main character
4. Crisis and Climax - events accelerate leading to a crisis and a climax is where everything is at stake
5. Resolution - the outcome of the story is revealed 

Tzvetan Todorov's 5 Stage Narrative Structure

Stage 1 - Equilibrium 

A state of equilibrium is defined 

Stage 2 - Disruption

Disruption to the equilibrium by some action or crisis

Stage 3 - Recognition 

The character's recognition that there has been a disruption; he/she sets goals to resolve the problem

Stage 4 - Attempt to Repair

the character(s) attempt to repair the disruption, obstacles need to be overcome to restore the order

Stage 5 - Reinstatement of Equilibrium 

Reinstatement to the equilibrium. situation is resolved, a conclusion is announced 

Familiar Story, Familiar types

Non linear narrative

example - 'Pulp Fiction' by Quentin Tarantino " the film is ostensibly three short stories, which, upon closer inspection, are actually three sections of one story with the chronology broken up; no "flashbacks" are involved." 

other examples - Magnolia, Memento, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind