Single Camera Techniques

In this post I will be addressing various single camera techniques and the ins and outs of the process. 

Camera

Single Camera Productions are typically shot with one camera (sometimes more for action scenes or heavy dialog) The camera is a way of allowing an audience to get right into the action and the one camera allows the director to get right up close and not have to worry about the position of any other cameras. Using a single camera is also good for the director as they can get to have more control over the whole scene and set it up exactly how they want. Actors will often replay a scene over and over so that they get all the shots and angles that they need to ensure they have backup footage should anything go wrong.

Lighting

Lighting for single camera is a lot easier than for a multi-camera setup as you don't have to have several sets of lights for different cameras, and you have more control over the lights. Lighting is a key component for any production but using tools such as a Reflector will enable you to get the best lighting possible. Lighting makes the scene come alive so don't be afraid to use it.

Sound

Single camera productions also allow you to be more creative with the sound elements. Often, you will need an overlay of sound to ensure that the sudden cuts do not create any unnecessary noises in the track - to avoid this, you could use a crossfade and gather some ambient noise before and after the shot so that you have a little bit to play with regarding the sound. Also, never be afraid to add sound in after; Foley sounds, ambient noise and dialogue can be placed in during post production and also add to the feel of the production. Multi camera productions cannot be as free with sound as single camera production as equipment cannot be visible, so directors will have to think of creative places to hide the mics. Having said that, some multi camera panel shows/talk shows will have visible mics, this is just to make things a little easier.

Editing

Editing with film can be a lengthy process but thanks to modern technology, it just got a whole lot easier. Single camera productions are often edited after all the shooting as done but trawling through all the footage captured can take some time aswell (Care is taken when shooting with film as it costs quite a bit to buy) Multi camera productions are often edited/mixed live in a gallery - The producer will often tell people in the gallery to "switch to camera 2". 

When filming, shot logs come in really handy as the editor will know the footage that is needed and will make his job a lot quicker and easier.

Single Camera Genres and Formats

Certain genres and formats lend themselves well to the Single Camera style of shooting - for instance shows like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead are single camera; This style allows for the camera to get up close and personal in the scenes and immerse the audience. 

Comedies and panel shows tend to be shot with multiple cameras; this to to ensure that everything is captured and the reactions are genuine. If they were shot with a single camera, the reactions from the actors wont be genuine and therefore wont look real.

Multi-Camera Techniques

Shooting with one camera sometimes just isn't enough; Xfactor, QI and shows of similar nature would be very difficult to capture everything with just one camera would be very hard! Four camera's is the average but it can be more or less. Live shows are usually shot with multiple cameras to capture everything they possibly can. Shows and films are usually shot with one camera but may need more than that when it comes to an intricate stunt or dialogue that cannot be repeated. Although having multiple cameras seems to be they was forward in terms of capturing the most footage but there are some disadvantages - Lighting can be difficult to manage, The director has to control all of the cameras at once, ensuring that they are all perfect and the locations you can use are limited as there's now a lot more equipment than there would be with only one camera.