Single Camera Production

Features of Single Camera Production

Single Camera vs Multi-Camera

Single Camera Production is where only one camera is used to record various shots,
whereas Multi-Camera Production is where multiple cameras are used.

What are the advantages of using Single Camera?

● There is less equipment on set , this means that it is easier to film and to
move around.
● Less money is being used on cameras and other equipment , so as a result its
less expensive/lower cost.
● Less equipment results in the less of crew members needed , again this
means less expensive as there is less wages to be paid.
What are the disadvantages of using Single Camera?
● If the camera breaks that ‘day of filming’ then you have to stop the process of
production and wait for the arrival of a new camera, so it's time consuming if
the camera breaks.
● You are only covering one angle at a time , so if multiple angles are needed
then it's time consuming as it requires the camera to move around, whereas if
you use multi camera the process of different shots and angles can be
completed rapidly quicker.

What are the advantages of using Multi-Camera?

● If the producer wants different shots , say for example of reactions , then with
Multi-Camera Production , you don't have to redo the scene to capture the
different shots/angles as there is more than one camera covering a certain
part of the scene.
● If one camera breaks , the process of production isn't ruined as there are
backup cameras.
What are the disadvantages of using Multi-Camera?
● It takes longer to set up , as a result of more equipment.
● More expensive , in comparison to single camera , due to more than one
camera needing to be purchased.
● More expensive , with regards to staff , as more staff is needed to use the
cameras on set meaning that there are more wages to be made.
 Single Camera Production

Formats
Within Single Camera Production , there are various Formats. These are as follows:
Film,Series,Serial, Single drama.

A Serial has a set amount of episodes and a definite end. This however does not
mean it can't have more than one season , as the story may continue onto the
following season. One example of a Single Camera Serial is ‘The Cry’ , which has 4
episodes. As it has 4 episodes and no more continuing, this makes it a Serial.

A Series is something that will eventually have an ending but will last usually over
several amounts of season. For example ‘Breaking Bad’, ended in season 5 , with a
total number of 62 episodes. However some Series , such as ‘Coronation Street’ ,
‘Eastenders’ ext, have continued broadcasting for years but is still a Series as it will
at some point end. Another example of a Series, which uses Single Camera
Production, is ‘Hollyoaks’.

A Single Drama is a one-off production for TV. In other words it has no further
episodes or any forms continuing the story, as it is a single drama. One example of a
Single Drama, which uses Single Camera Production, is ‘The Ebony Tower’.

A Single Camera Film , is a film produced via using Single Camera Production.
There are lots of Single Camera films , such as ’Star Wars’, ‘Lord of the Rings’.

Genres
Within Single Camera Production, there are various Genres. These are as follows:
Period Drama,Crime,Comedy,Soap Opera,Drama Documentary,Sci Fi,Fantasy,
Horror,Sitcom.

Narrative Structure
Within Single Camera Production ,there are 6 Narrative Structures , which are :
Linear Storytelling,Non-Linear Storytelling,Realist,Non-Realist,Open Ending,Closed
 Single Camera Production

Ending. Following is each Structure , which will be addressed and evaluated with
examples of each , used in Single Camera Production.

Linear
A Linear Structure is when a storyline runs in chronological order , which means in
order of time , which means there is no flashbacks or anything surrounding time
change within the story. In simpler terms , Linear Structure , is when the story occurs
in the order in time , so there can't be any use of flashbacks or flash forwards within
the story. One example of a Single Camera Production , that uses Linear Structure ,
is ‘Eastenders’. Furthermore , other soaps like ‘Hollyoaks’ also use Linear Structure.

Non-Linear
A Non-Linear Structure is when the storyline isn't in chronological order. This means
that the storyline doesn't run in order of time. Non-Linear Structured Single Camera
Productions use many things, within the storyline , that mean it is Non-Linear , such
as flashbacks. One example of a Non-Linear Structured Single Camera Production is
‘Titanic’ which as a whole is a flashback following the story being told by a woman
who survived the events, as the beginning scene is the women many years after the
‘Titanic’ occured and she goes on to explain what happened , in the form of a
flashback.

Realist
A Realist Structure is when the storyline is connected to
the real world , as a result of the content ,within the
‘Production’, linked or based upon actual events. There
are many examples of films, series etc, which use realist
as one of its structures. One example is the film ‘War
Horse’ which is based on WW1. As WW1 was an actual
event and ‘War Horse’ is based upon this event , this is a
Realist Structure as ‘War Horse’ is linked to a real life
event. This is an effective structure to use as the
audience can in a way , relate to the message or situation
in hand as its more believable due it being based upon a
real event.

Anti-Realist
An Anti-Realist Structure is when the content is disconnected from the real world. On
the other hand to a Realist structure , an Anti-Realist Structure does not use facts or
non fictional events within the content. This structure may be demonstrated via , for
example , cartoon characters within the real world. There are many examples of
 Single Camera Production

films,series etc which use Anti-Realist as one of its structure , such as ‘Space Jam’.
‘Space Jam’ is a film , made in 1996 , which includes
characters from the animated series ‘Looney Tunes’.
This is an effective structure to use as some viewers
are really intrigued with regards to things like ‘fantasy’
and as some of the situation or events , which occur
in these films, wouldn't happen in real life , we as the
viewer are in a way fascinated and intrigued to see
what happens as it is ‘unknown’ to us. In a nutshell ,
anti-realist is effective as viewers are drawn in to see
what happens in these unrealistic , fantasy situations that don't occur in our world.

Open Ending
An Open Ending Structure is when the film, episode etc, comes to an end without the
resolvement of all the storylines. For example, a ‘cliff hanger’ is when the narrative
finishes with an unanswered or unresolved situation , for example if someone gets
shot but we don't know who , in an attempt to intrigue the viewer into watching the
next narrative. So a ‘Cliff hanger’ is a great example that demonstrates an Open
ending structure. This Technique is used alot in TV soaps , as the producers want to
lead the viewer's into watching the next episode.

Closed Ending
In contrast to Open Ending Structure , Closed Ending structure is when the
film,episode etc, comes to an end with the resolvement of all the storylines. This
means the narrative is left with no confusion or uncertainty about what will happen
next. However the ‘Protagonist’ may still have more stories , but at that moment the
story is over. Most films use this , as its effective because equilibrium is restored and
this does not create confusion or drag on the story to the point where it can come
un-enjoyable for the viewer and so ruin the film. One example where this is mainly
used is in action films , where at the end the Hero defeats the villain.

Technical Aspects
Within Single Camera Production , there are various Technical aspects , which are
as follows: Camera,Lighting,Sound,Editing,Scripting,Building a scene and Building a
story.

Lighting
 Single Camera Production

The common set up of lighting for any kind of filming is called the ‘Three Point
Lighting Setup’ and there is a diagram below which shows the setup clearly with
annotations. Many productions like , ‘Match of the Day’ , use this setup as its suitable
to there program. ‘Match of the Day’ is where professional football games played that
day , are discussed between 3-4 people. So this particular show uses this type of
lighting setup as it creates focus on the speaker. Furthermore the lighting setup
almosts points the speaker out, making them look bold via the shadow behind the
speaker as a result of the lights.

Sound
Within Single Camera Productions there are different types of sound which are
used.These are the following: Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound, Sound effects and
On and Off screen sounds.

Diegetic sound is sound which exists in the narrative , meaning that it can be heard
by the characters. For example dialogue , which can obviously be heard by other
characters within the narrative , is classed as a Diegetic sound. Whereas
Non-Diegetic sound, is sound which does not exist within the world or the narrative.
One example of a film which uses Non-Diegetic sound is in ‘Jaws’. When the great
white shark , within the film , is projected to be heading towards people in the sea, a
short song is played. The song , which can be watched via the link below, is
Non-Diegetic as it is used as a theme song of the Shark and so it can't be heard by
other characters in the narrative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tMqcARKRSE
 Single Camera Production

Sound effects are mainly short sounds , which are added in during Post-Production.
They are used mainly to emphasise action or mood, even feeling. They are mainly
used effectively in cartoons again to emphasise action. Some sounds can be off and
on screen sounds which obviously the difference between is in the name.

Editing
Editing is where all the footage is brought together and assembled with all unwanted
footage removed , within Post-Production. Furthermore there are also other
processes that can occur to , like adding Effects (CGI) which stands for - Computer
Generated Imagery) and altering time/speed. There are also things like Sound
Effects that can be added in , also scenes may be cut to another shot to create/build
tension.

Scripting
In contrast to multi-camera productions , single camera productions are fully
scripted. A script is what the actors are given to follow, or in other words actors are
given lines to read , which are part of the squad.

Building a scene (mise-sen-scene)

Mise-sen-scene is a term , which
equivalates to building a scene , used
to describe the placement of
actors,props ext. There are many
aspects of Mise-sen-scene , but the
key aspects are:
● Space
● Costume
● Lighting
● Composition
● Acting

Building a story
Below this paragraph is a table which shows ‘Vladimir Propp’s 8 character roles’.
This is a theory , made by a man called Vladimir Propp , who used to analyse tales
in the early-mid 90s. While carrying out the analysis of many stories , he came p with
a theory behind 8 main character types , and this theory is addressed below in the
table.
 Single Camera Production

Binary Opposites
Binary opposites are a pair of related terms which are completely opposite in
meaning, such as Good vs Evil. There are a number of Binary opposites and below i
have listed 10 more examples, which surround Single Camera Productions.

● Good vs Evil
● Boy vs Girl
● Black vs White
● Light vs Dark
● Protagonist vs Antagonist
● Man vs Woman
● Young vs Old
● Strong vs Weak
● Rich vs Poor
● Open vs Closed
 Single Camera Production

Links
SPACE JAM - The Upland Brewing Co. FREE TIME Movie Series — The …
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117705/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568911/?ref_=nv_sr_1
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Paperback, 2011) | eBay
What are the Advantages / Disadvantages of Mechanical Seals? - Leak-Pack
Original 1977 Star Wars 35mm print has been restored and released online | Ars Technica
Κι όμως, κάποιος είδε το «Lord Of The Rings» 361 φορές μέσα στο 2017 (vids) | Plus: Celebrities |
gazzetta.gr
Three Point Lighting — Life Of Mike
Video Production Tips: The Basics of Lighting, Camera Angles
Best Making Of Books Ever: JAWS LOG - The Script Blog
Media narrative propp and todorov
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/characters/propp_personae.htm
Welcome to the world of props......May these pages inspire, inform, and guide all who are curious
about this most creative and collaborative of art forms. Click on a topic below to learn more:
https://screencraft.org/2016/06/21/differences-single-camera-multi-camera-tv-pilot-scripts/
http://mrhoyesibwebsite.com/Critical%20Theory/Discourse/Binary%20Opposition.htm

Ethan Forster
Single Camera Production