A multi-camera production, however, uses more than one camera to capture more than one angle of a scene at the same time. The footage is cut together live using a vision mixer.
The difference may seem obvious, but it is not so. A single camera production can still use more than camera to shoot a scene and still be a single camera production, as long as it is edited together in post-production. The difference between single camera and multi-camera is in the editing. Multi-camera productions are edited live, single camera productions aren't.
Many different types of productions are multi-camera productions, including: Sports programmes (ex, Match of the day), news programmes (ex, BBC one), live events (ex, The Olympics), panel shows (ex, Eggheads), game shows (ex, Catchphrase), sit-coms (ex, How I met your mother), soaps (ex, Eastenders) and chat shows (ex, Loose women).
Of course, multi-camera setups are obligatory for some of these types of programmes because they cannot be repeated. Live events such as the Olympics, for example, cannot be repeated and so everything must be done right at the time of filming. A Jeremy Kyle guest probably won't want to re-enact their reaction to failing the lie detector test. That's also why, for programmes not being broadcast live, each camera is on record, meaning that any angle can be retrieved from any camera if the person on the vision mixer has made any mistakes.
Some of these types of programmes are simply aided by the use of multi-camera setups, but could easily be made in the single camera format. In soaps such as eastenders, for example, the performances could easily be repeated, but the use of multi-camera setups makes shooting quicker and more efficient. Also, there are tight deadlines to meet, as 4 episodes per week are broadcast. Around 25 scenes are shot each day. The occasional episode will be transmitted live to television. The actors can be noticed fluffing up their lines a little on these episodes.
Benidorm episodes are aired once a week, meaning there is more time to shoot each episode, which is why it is shot with the single camera method.
The multi-camera format lends itself to the linear type of storyline. Flashbacks and other techniques used in non-linear storylines can't be used in multi-camera productions.
Chat shows, quiz shows and panel shows obviously have to be filmed with multi-camera setups, unless they are being faked. These types of shows often have a presenter speaking into the camera and just before an advert, they will say "See you after the break" or something along those lines.
In multi-camera productions, there is normally a master shot (A.K.A Geography shot). This can be used a "safety net" to cut back to if any issues arise with the other cameras. The standard number of cameras used in a multi-camera setup is 3, though it is not unusual to use more.
The first show to use more than one camera was The Queen's messenger (1928). Three cameras were required, two for small gestures and one for big gestures, were needed because of the small size of television screens back then. Though it was edited in post-production, and thus wouldn't be classed as a multi-camera production, it is still an interesting piece of television history and a step toward multi-camera production.
The multi-camera format has its advantages and disadvantages.
It allows for shorter shooting schedules. Continuity errors will not happen because the scene is only played out once. In the studio, where multi camera productions are normally shot, there is more control over lighting than in a real location. It is cheaper than a single camera production to execute.
Many different types of productions are multi-camera productions, including: Sports programmes (ex, Match of the day), news programmes (ex, BBC one), live events (ex, The Olympics), panel shows (ex, Eggheads), game shows (ex, Catchphrase), sit-coms (ex, How I met your mother), soaps (ex, Eastenders) and chat shows (ex, Loose women).
Of course, multi-camera setups are obligatory for some of these types of programmes because they cannot be repeated. Live events such as the Olympics, for example, cannot be repeated and so everything must be done right at the time of filming. A Jeremy Kyle guest probably won't want to re-enact their reaction to failing the lie detector test. That's also why, for programmes not being broadcast live, each camera is on record, meaning that any angle can be retrieved from any camera if the person on the vision mixer has made any mistakes.
Some of these types of programmes are simply aided by the use of multi-camera setups, but could easily be made in the single camera format. In soaps such as eastenders, for example, the performances could easily be repeated, but the use of multi-camera setups makes shooting quicker and more efficient. Also, there are tight deadlines to meet, as 4 episodes per week are broadcast. Around 25 scenes are shot each day. The occasional episode will be transmitted live to television. The actors can be noticed fluffing up their lines a little on these episodes.
Benidorm episodes are aired once a week, meaning there is more time to shoot each episode, which is why it is shot with the single camera method.
The multi-camera format lends itself to the linear type of storyline. Flashbacks and other techniques used in non-linear storylines can't be used in multi-camera productions.
Chat shows, quiz shows and panel shows obviously have to be filmed with multi-camera setups, unless they are being faked. These types of shows often have a presenter speaking into the camera and just before an advert, they will say "See you after the break" or something along those lines.
In multi-camera productions, there is normally a master shot (A.K.A Geography shot). This can be used a "safety net" to cut back to if any issues arise with the other cameras. The standard number of cameras used in a multi-camera setup is 3, though it is not unusual to use more.
The first show to use more than one camera was The Queen's messenger (1928). Three cameras were required, two for small gestures and one for big gestures, were needed because of the small size of television screens back then. Though it was edited in post-production, and thus wouldn't be classed as a multi-camera production, it is still an interesting piece of television history and a step toward multi-camera production.
The multi-camera format has its advantages and disadvantages.
It allows for shorter shooting schedules. Continuity errors will not happen because the scene is only played out once. In the studio, where multi camera productions are normally shot, there is more control over lighting than in a real location. It is cheaper than a single camera production to execute.
However, there are some disadvantages too. The lighting has
to stay the same for the duration of the scene, so there aren’t many
opportunities for creative lighting effects. Also, the cameras have to be
hidden from each other, so shooting angles are slightly limited. More power would be required to power all the
equipment. Also, flashbacks and flash forwards cannot be used because the
location stays the same throughout the scene. The microphone must not be
visible, meaning that good quality sound is harder to record. The editor can’t
change how the film is edited, they must be able to do it live. Multiple locations can't be used in the same multi-camera setup.
Now, I'm going to analyse two multi-camera productions. The first one is an episode of The weakest link, which aired on 15th January 2007. The Weakest Link is a game show that first aired in 2000. It is presented by Anne Robinson and features a group of contestants having to answer questions to win money. At the round, whoever is voted "The Weakest Link" has to leave without money.
The show starts with a shot of a table with the Weakest Link logo on. The camera zooms away from it to reveal that a group of people are sat around it. A narrator explains the game, whilst the programme cuts between two shots of the contestants and a master shot. The Weakest Link logo wipes over the shot. Interlinking circles move around each other to form the Weakest Link logo. It fades from the VT to the live section in the studio. Anne Robinson says: "Welcome to the Weakest Link." The camera cranes up and zooms out from a medium close-up to a master shot. As she starts to explain the game to the camera, it cuts to a medium shot of her. The camera tracks around her slowly. She is lit well, whilst the contestants, whose names are visible in the background, are in shadow. She says: "Let's meet the team." She turns around to face the team contestants and it cuts back to the master shot. Dramatic music sounds and it cuts to a medium shot of George. There is a beam of blue light behind his head. He explains who he is. The camera whip-pans to Alexa, who does the same. This happens with the rest of the contestants. After the introduction the last contestant. Oscar, the camera zooms out and dollies away to the master shot. Anne Robinson starts to explain rules of the game. It cuts to a medium close-up of her, then a master shot. The camera dollies toward her. Money values then appear on the left hand side of the screen. It then cuts to medium shots of each contestant to build suspense before the game commences. It then cuts to a medium shot of Alexa, who is first, then the medium close-up of Anne Robinson, who says: "Lets play... the Weakest Link." The next shot is a master shot that starts low down and cranes up high. As the first question is asked, it cut to the medium shot of Alexa. She answers correctly and it cuts back to the master shot in which the camera is slowly dollying around the arena. It cuts to a medium shot of Simon. He is asked a question. He answers correctly, then it's Geri who is being asked the question. It cuts to the master shot, which is now at eye level with the guests, then to a medium shot of Geri. She answers correctly. The rest of the questions follow suit until Alexa shouts "Bank!". Dramatic music sounds and it cuts to the master shot. The camera cranes up until it is very high above the arena. It then cuts between shots of Anne Robinson, the contestants and the master shot as she explains that one of them is the weakest link. Over shots of the contestants writing their votes on their plates, a narrator (who probably recorded the narration after the show) tells us that Simon is the weakest link. The camera zooms slowly into Simon. Anne Robinson announces that it's time to reveal the weakest link.The camera zooms from a master shot to a medium shot of George as he reveals his plate to the camera. The camera then whip-pans to each contestant as they reveal their plates. It then zooms out to a master shot. Anne Robinson asks Kevin about his job. As they converse, it cuts between a medium shot of Kevin, a medium close-up of Anne Robinson and a master shot. They seem to be almost flirting with each other. This is just part of Anne Robinson's presenting style. Shen then speaks to Alexa and Oscar. The same shots are used. George is voted the Weakest Link. It fades from the master shot to a medium shot of him as he exits. The camera follows him, zooming out to keep him the same size in the frame. The Weakest Link logo wipes over the shot. It then transitions to an interview (obviously edited in in post-production) with George.
The Weakest Link has a witty, funny and often harsh presenter in the form of Anne Robinson. She plays a huge part in making the show entertaining. The music is mostly background music, which is non-intrusive, but plays a part in creating a certain mood. The dramatic music used in important points in the game helps to dramatise the game and involve the viewer.
Five cameras were used. Sometimes, it appears as if shots have been edited in post-production, such as the consecutive shots of each contestant as they listen to Anne Robinson explaining something. It may also be that 2 cameras are being cut between and they are panning to the different contestants when their shots are not being shown. You can tell that there is just one camera for the medium shots of the contestants as they answer questions. When Anne Robinson is asking them questions, the editor cuts to a master shot. This gives the camera operator time to pan to the contestant who is being asked the question before the editor cuts to the shot.
The lighting is very mysterious and atmospheric. A fog machine has been used to render visible the beams of blue light around the arena. Apart from that it's just total blackness.
The second multi-camera production I'm going to analyse a part of is a Siemens technology demonstration video. It is in a place called Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.
It starts with a VT containing text explaining what technology is being demonstrated. It fades to a master shot of the whole room. It is a vast room with lots of people in it. The editor fades to a medium long shot of the presenter walking to his podium. The camera pans with him until he gets to the podium. He welcomes everyone and introduces himself. His name job role appear below him. The camera isn't very steady. The presenter accidentally says something wrong at one point. He then welcomes the president of drives technology. The editor fades to the master shot. The microphone is given to the man and the presenter walks off stage. The editor fades to the medium long shot. The man starts to speak. He welcomes everyone and his name and job role appear below him. He talks about the company's technology for quite a few minutes. He makes a few mistakes in his speech, but they are not too noticeable. He closes his speech. The camera zooms out slowly whilst the editor fades to the master shot. Everyone claps. The editor then fades back to the medium long shot. The man walks off stage. A few seconds pass before the editor fades to the master shot. Two other people walk on stage. An animated VT plays with several pieces of technology and text to explain key points about them. It seems as if the VT hasn't finished playing when the on of the two people on stage start to speak. The editor fades to the master shot. The editor holds the master shot for quite a few seconds before fading it into the medium long shot. The other man starts to speak and the camera zooms out to encompass both the men. His name appears at the bottom of the frame.
This is clearly not as professional a multi-camera production as The Weakest Link. The shots and editing are still functional though, if sometimes a little faulty. It can be noted that the presenter and guests don't have earphones, meaning that they have no guidance from the director. This is a web video, as opposed to the Weakest Link, which is broadcast on television.
It seems that little work has been done in post-production, if any at all. The presenter seems to be a little nervous. Only 2 cameras appear to have been used. There are no hard cuts, the editor fades between every shot. The lighting is bright on stage, but dark in the audience area. The sound is being fed through a single microphone (either that, or there is a microphone situated elsewhere picking up the sound coming from the speaker the presenter microphone is attached to).
The medium long shot isn't too steady a shot, but it's functional.
Bibliography
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/things-you-never-knew-about-eastenders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135647
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/digital-cinematography/news/shooting-392-broke-girls39-adventures-multi-camera-production/6687
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYXRUjSWKMA
http://varunbhanot.com/in-the-media/the-weakest-link-contestant/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiBGbV2O_KY
Now, I'm going to analyse two multi-camera productions. The first one is an episode of The weakest link, which aired on 15th January 2007. The Weakest Link is a game show that first aired in 2000. It is presented by Anne Robinson and features a group of contestants having to answer questions to win money. At the round, whoever is voted "The Weakest Link" has to leave without money.
The show starts with a shot of a table with the Weakest Link logo on. The camera zooms away from it to reveal that a group of people are sat around it. A narrator explains the game, whilst the programme cuts between two shots of the contestants and a master shot. The Weakest Link logo wipes over the shot. Interlinking circles move around each other to form the Weakest Link logo. It fades from the VT to the live section in the studio. Anne Robinson says: "Welcome to the Weakest Link." The camera cranes up and zooms out from a medium close-up to a master shot. As she starts to explain the game to the camera, it cuts to a medium shot of her. The camera tracks around her slowly. She is lit well, whilst the contestants, whose names are visible in the background, are in shadow. She says: "Let's meet the team." She turns around to face the team contestants and it cuts back to the master shot. Dramatic music sounds and it cuts to a medium shot of George. There is a beam of blue light behind his head. He explains who he is. The camera whip-pans to Alexa, who does the same. This happens with the rest of the contestants. After the introduction the last contestant. Oscar, the camera zooms out and dollies away to the master shot. Anne Robinson starts to explain rules of the game. It cuts to a medium close-up of her, then a master shot. The camera dollies toward her. Money values then appear on the left hand side of the screen. It then cuts to medium shots of each contestant to build suspense before the game commences. It then cuts to a medium shot of Alexa, who is first, then the medium close-up of Anne Robinson, who says: "Lets play... the Weakest Link." The next shot is a master shot that starts low down and cranes up high. As the first question is asked, it cut to the medium shot of Alexa. She answers correctly and it cuts back to the master shot in which the camera is slowly dollying around the arena. It cuts to a medium shot of Simon. He is asked a question. He answers correctly, then it's Geri who is being asked the question. It cuts to the master shot, which is now at eye level with the guests, then to a medium shot of Geri. She answers correctly. The rest of the questions follow suit until Alexa shouts "Bank!". Dramatic music sounds and it cuts to the master shot. The camera cranes up until it is very high above the arena. It then cuts between shots of Anne Robinson, the contestants and the master shot as she explains that one of them is the weakest link. Over shots of the contestants writing their votes on their plates, a narrator (who probably recorded the narration after the show) tells us that Simon is the weakest link. The camera zooms slowly into Simon. Anne Robinson announces that it's time to reveal the weakest link.The camera zooms from a master shot to a medium shot of George as he reveals his plate to the camera. The camera then whip-pans to each contestant as they reveal their plates. It then zooms out to a master shot. Anne Robinson asks Kevin about his job. As they converse, it cuts between a medium shot of Kevin, a medium close-up of Anne Robinson and a master shot. They seem to be almost flirting with each other. This is just part of Anne Robinson's presenting style. Shen then speaks to Alexa and Oscar. The same shots are used. George is voted the Weakest Link. It fades from the master shot to a medium shot of him as he exits. The camera follows him, zooming out to keep him the same size in the frame. The Weakest Link logo wipes over the shot. It then transitions to an interview (obviously edited in in post-production) with George.
The Weakest Link has a witty, funny and often harsh presenter in the form of Anne Robinson. She plays a huge part in making the show entertaining. The music is mostly background music, which is non-intrusive, but plays a part in creating a certain mood. The dramatic music used in important points in the game helps to dramatise the game and involve the viewer.
Five cameras were used. Sometimes, it appears as if shots have been edited in post-production, such as the consecutive shots of each contestant as they listen to Anne Robinson explaining something. It may also be that 2 cameras are being cut between and they are panning to the different contestants when their shots are not being shown. You can tell that there is just one camera for the medium shots of the contestants as they answer questions. When Anne Robinson is asking them questions, the editor cuts to a master shot. This gives the camera operator time to pan to the contestant who is being asked the question before the editor cuts to the shot.
The lighting is very mysterious and atmospheric. A fog machine has been used to render visible the beams of blue light around the arena. Apart from that it's just total blackness.
The second multi-camera production I'm going to analyse a part of is a Siemens technology demonstration video. It is in a place called Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.
It starts with a VT containing text explaining what technology is being demonstrated. It fades to a master shot of the whole room. It is a vast room with lots of people in it. The editor fades to a medium long shot of the presenter walking to his podium. The camera pans with him until he gets to the podium. He welcomes everyone and introduces himself. His name job role appear below him. The camera isn't very steady. The presenter accidentally says something wrong at one point. He then welcomes the president of drives technology. The editor fades to the master shot. The microphone is given to the man and the presenter walks off stage. The editor fades to the medium long shot. The man starts to speak. He welcomes everyone and his name and job role appear below him. He talks about the company's technology for quite a few minutes. He makes a few mistakes in his speech, but they are not too noticeable. He closes his speech. The camera zooms out slowly whilst the editor fades to the master shot. Everyone claps. The editor then fades back to the medium long shot. The man walks off stage. A few seconds pass before the editor fades to the master shot. Two other people walk on stage. An animated VT plays with several pieces of technology and text to explain key points about them. It seems as if the VT hasn't finished playing when the on of the two people on stage start to speak. The editor fades to the master shot. The editor holds the master shot for quite a few seconds before fading it into the medium long shot. The other man starts to speak and the camera zooms out to encompass both the men. His name appears at the bottom of the frame.
This is clearly not as professional a multi-camera production as The Weakest Link. The shots and editing are still functional though, if sometimes a little faulty. It can be noted that the presenter and guests don't have earphones, meaning that they have no guidance from the director. This is a web video, as opposed to the Weakest Link, which is broadcast on television.
It seems that little work has been done in post-production, if any at all. The presenter seems to be a little nervous. Only 2 cameras appear to have been used. There are no hard cuts, the editor fades between every shot. The lighting is bright on stage, but dark in the audience area. The sound is being fed through a single microphone (either that, or there is a microphone situated elsewhere picking up the sound coming from the speaker the presenter microphone is attached to).
The medium long shot isn't too steady a shot, but it's functional.
Bibliography
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/things-you-never-knew-about-eastenders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112135647
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/digital-cinematography/news/shooting-392-broke-girls39-adventures-multi-camera-production/6687
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYXRUjSWKMA
http://varunbhanot.com/in-the-media/the-weakest-link-contestant/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiBGbV2O_KY
