single cam and multi cam

single camera production

When looking at single camera techniques there are many different camera shots to consider such as over the shoulder which is watching what is happening from a persons point of view and pan shot which is capturing the whole area and all the action in the process.with single camera techniques you can alter certain things such as backlighting to give a silhouette look , half and half lighting to symbolise darkness in somebody and you can build up tension using enigma code or action code by looking up at a person then looking at a weapon.single camera production is in the whole different techniques you can use with just a singular camera.

 

 multi camera production

The multiple-camera setup, multiple-camera mode of production, multi-camera or simply multicam is a method of filmmaking and video production. Several cameras—either film or professional video cameras—are employed on the set and simultaneously record or broadcast a scene. It is often contrasted with single-camera setup, which uses one camera.

Live programs such as The X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing use the multi camera set up, as it means the audience can look at the program from different perspectives. The reason for using multi camera set up on Live shows is so the camera’s can be set up in place and ready for each shot, if the program was shot single camera, it would make it much more difficult to keep the pace of the show, and the camera would change position each time it was moved.
Other shows such as Jeremy Kyle, although this is pre recorded, still use multi camera set up, this gives the viewer the different perspectives of the guests on the show, the host, and the studio audience reactions, it also saves time in the post production stage.

 

 

single camera vs multi camera 

 

The advantages of single camera productions:

 

• This mode of production allows for the reconstruction of events in a different order than they may have occurred. For example, it allows many shots at different times of the day to be taken at one scene. On the next day of production, shots may be taken at a different scene and then the two can be edited together in post production. As a result this means that sometimes it can be a quicker process, which for other reasons too, makes it an advantage of single camera production itself.
• In some cases, the process can be quicker as explained in the advantage above.
• With single camera productions, it will also be cheaper to film, compared to the high cost of the multiple camera mode of production. This is simply because with this production set up, you are only employing one camera unit, which would obviously be cheaper to run than having multiple cameras set up. However, it may also cheapen the cost if you have expensive performers acting in the production, because with single camera set ups, seldom to you need all performers at any one time, whereas with multiple cameras, you would, as you are filming all action at once.
• The control of aesthetics is a big advantage to single camera productions. Depending on the show, the aesthetic can have a huge effect because the lighting and sound and other aesthetics are individually made up for each shot, it therefore makes everything look more realistic, which in itself is another advantage.
• It looks realistic.

The disadvantages of single camera productions:

 

• Unfortunately, single camera productions also come with its disadvantages too, one and probably a huge factor being the different angles. Different shots and angles can be very effective depending on the film or television program, especially within a specific genre such as action, where various shots and angles are needed to heighten the intensity of the scene. This in turn, could arguably ruin the aesthetic of the show, which ironically is an advantage of single camera production.
• As stated in the advantages above, you can play around with the order of the shots you take and at what location, to quicken the process and leave the work of reconstructing each scene to the editing. However, it is exactly this that will slow you down in the long run as it will take time to do this. In some cases, single camera set ups can be quick, but this only accounts for the production itself; in post production however, you have to take the time in editing and reconstructing the scenes together.
• In shows such as peep show and c.s.i they use a single camera and films such as shutter island and the tourist they also use a single camera.

The advantages of multiple camera productions:

• Of course the first most obvious advantage of multiple camera productions is that is a much quicker process. With multiple camera set ups, it allows you to record the action in multiple shots and angles all in one swift process. This is a necessity for shows that can't take their time in filming if they have to output their show on a regular basis; these are programs such as soap operas, which normally output their show once a week and sometimes even have live performances.
• Multiple camera productions can also be cheap, just like single camera productions, but for a different reason. This is because with a multiple camera mode of production, it means you can produce a film or television program in a shorter amount of time, which can make it the cheaper set up.
• Multiple camera productions also tend to capture the best performances from the actors and actresses. This is because, unlike single camera productions, you do not have to repeat each scene. Repeating a scene may make their performances worse as they are being forced to act out the same bit over and over. It isn't uncommon to find directors even record rehearsals because performers put most of their effort into their first few tries. However, it is also possible to find these performers are being secretly filmed in rehearsals because there is pressure on them to act well when they are put in front of the camera and the crew, which ultimately could even make their acting worse.
• Another advantage closely related to, and party covered in the first advantage of multiple camera, is that there is better coverage of the scene. More shots, angles, footage etc of the scene, means there is more material that could possibly make a better production.

The disadvantages of multiple camera productions:

 

• Ironically, as multiple camera productions are the much quicker process, it does still take a long time to set up at first. With more than one camera unit employed, as the same with other equipment, it means it will take longer to set it all up.
• The aesthetic is also not as good with multiple camera productions because unlike single camera productions where the equipment is reset after each shot to fit the atmosphere of the next one, with multiple camera you must stand by the aesthetic from the beginning as the equipment is already set up.

• Another disadvantage of multiple camera productions is that the locations in which the footage is shot, is less believable, because with this mode or production, the scenes are generally filmed on-set, rather than a real location, which otherwise would add depth and aesthetic to the film or program. 

• In shows such as scrubs and films such as bad boys 2 they use a multiple camera.