Single Camera Technique

Single Camera Technique is where they use one camera to take each shot and angle, they then have to repeat this shot from every angle. Single Camera doesn't necessarily means it's just one camera with two or three cameras used to take different shots, such one camera may be taking a long shot with the other camera taking a close up. These shots are then edited together later on to give you the creative freedom you need to get the correct shots. Single cameras also give producers and directors more control over the shots although because each shot has to be done separately it's very time consuming.With single camera as it is very lightweight it is able to go anywhere.

Although more than one camera is used this is a single camera shot because the cameras are being used to shoot different angles. 

Single camera shots are very common and are mostly used for films, TV dramas and music videos, while multi camera shots are used for live chat shows, the news and live sporting events. The main difference between multi camera shots and single camera shots is the amount of cameras used, in a multi camera shot the director will cut between each of the cameras in order to get a quick editing process, they do this due to the lack of time they have. Multi camera shots are most likely to be taken inside a TV studio where they have have a set because there is usually a live audience. This is because on a live set you are going to have a lot more room for multiple cameras because this is what the studio was designed for.

Here is what a Multi Camera shot would look like. 

The main advantage of the single camera is the better quality of shots due to not having to worry about being in the view of another camera, the directors are able to move around freely. There isn't the worry about coordinating several camera and therefore are relieved of the tensions of continually cueing, guiding and inter-cutting between cameras. The directors have control over everything in their shot from the lighting, framing to the positions of the actors. They are able to select and rearrange the material. There isn't a feeling of instant commitment which can typify a multi camera show as it is very slow. Single camera allows the directors and actors to concentrate on doing one thing at a time. The shooting can degenerate into a self indulgent experimental session. They are only having to focus on what they are doing at the time as background music and video effects are added on later.

The disadvantage of a single camera shot is that it is very time consuming as you would have to repeat the shots over and over again unlike a multi camera shot where this wouldn't have to be done as much. Another disadvantage is that single camera shots are used outside which means if the weather has changed or something in the background has moved the shot would look odd because it would be different from every angle. This is where continuity is very important to make sure nothing is different from the previous shot. A big problem with single camera is that you will finish with a collection of tapes containing a mixture of good, bad, indifferent and mistakes. They are all shot in any order which needs to be sorted therefore it takes a lot of time.

When shooting with multi camera it switches from one to another this is an advantage when shooting a series of events going on a the same time or same area. The director of the multi camera is located away from the action. The director would be watching a series of picture monitors in the production control room. All of the instructions would be to crew members of their intercom headsets. The floor manager would be in charge of everything.

Multi camera production can degenerate into a shot grabbing routine by inter-cutting between several camera view points for the sake of variety.

There are three options when it comes to shooting in multi camera:

• 'Live on tape' - Beginning to end without a break. 
• 'Scene by scene' - A scene or act at a time, correcting each in turn. 
• 'Shot by shot' - Short action sequence with inter-camera switching to avoid interrupting the action. 

Multi Camera Variations 

When action cannot be repeated some directors use ISO (isolated) camera. his is used for when the camera is connected to the switcher as before but one of them is also continuously recorded on a separate VCR. ISO takes wide shots of action of the guest without any fear of missing a moment.

There are ways to tell whether it's a multi camera shot or a single camera shot. In a multi camera shot it's going to be live action as there is an audience. Multi camera shots are used when there is a lot of movement in the shot as one camera isn't going to be able to capture it all, e.g. a football match. These shots are used in a controlled location which is why the majority of the time these shots are used in TV studios.

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/film-production-advantages-disadvantages-using-single-camera-multi-20110404-184900-752.html - 4th October

http://sallycartmellbtectvandfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/unit-21-single-camera-techniques.html - image used 4th October

http://accad.osu.edu/~midori/Materials/camera.html - image used 4th October

Video Production Handbook Third Edition - Gerald Millerson 2001 (Focal Press) - 10th December 2013