Unit 22: Single Camera Techniques

a) Define 'single camera production':

When a scene is filmed with only one camera

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

Advantages

Disadvantages

Easier to film in small spaces. E.g. in a house location. having a low budget. This is because having only one camera keeps equipment costs down. Single camera production is often used by filmmakers in observational style film making, which uses fewer cuts. This can give a film/music video or programme a more realistic feeling.  It is also cheaper because if more cameras were used, each camera man would cost money and lighting and sound units. More freedom on how the camera moves

Easier to cross the line because you can easily lose track of where the 180-degree line was originally located.  It takes longer to shoot than using multi-camera set up because you have to film the same sequence from different positions several times. Less realistic reactions because as one actor gets filmed at a time, the reactions aren’t natural. Editing will take long because all the shots have been taken. With multi-cameras, you could shoot different angles and takes at the same time, using different people for each camera. Expensive because you have to do multiple takes to get each camera angle in the scene

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

Multi-camera differs to single camera productions because there are more camera men in multi-camera productions and only one in single camera production. Which means more cameras are used in Multi-camera productions and one camera is used in single camera productions.

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

1)Modern family

2)Hollyoaks

3)Game Of Thrones

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

1)The Big Bang Theory

2)TheJeremy Kyle Show

3)East Enders 

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

Task 2

Definitions for format, genre and 

narrative structure

Complete the definitions below, giving an example of a SCP for each. 

You must provide a detailed explanation for each term, following class discussions and independent research. This will be vital for the assignment.

Series
Single drama
Crime drama genre
Soap Opera genre
Sitcom/Comedy
Linear narrative
Nonlinear narrative
Multistrand narrative
Open ending narrative
Closed ending narrative
Realist narrative
Anti-realist narrative

Task 3: Technical analysis

Define the following technical elements in detail.

CAMERA SHOT TYPES

Close up
Extreme close up
Medium shot
Establishing shot
Long shot
High angle
Low angle
Coverage

CAMERA MOVEMENT

Track
Pan
Tilt
Zoom

LIGHTING

High key
Low key
Natural
Artificial

EDITING

Continuity
Cut
Montage
Split-screen

SOUND

Diegetic
Non-diegetic

SCRIPTING

Building a scene/story