task 1 - single camera vs multi camera

Single and Multi Camera Set Ups

In media production there are two different types of camera set ups. These set ups are called single camera set up and multi camera set ups. These set ups are very popular in different areas of film and TV. Single camera set ups are used frequently in films and high budget TV series where as multi camera set ups are used more in soaps and documentarys to capture real life/live events.

Single camera set ups are when the film production is filmed using only one camera. This technique has always been very popular since it was discovered. There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages of using a single camera set up. The advantages are that using a singles camera set up allows you to film the production in a different order and then put it back into chronological order later on when editing. This means different scenes can be filmed on different days so this can be helpful. Single camera set ups also make the films look alot more realistic as they allow the director to have more control over each scene. It will allow him to be alot more precise with the positioning and the lighting of each scene. Its also more convinent when you have to retake a scene as theres only one camera filming. The disadvantages of using a single camera set up are that it is very time consuming as every scene has to be filmed using one camera. Its is also very time consuming when editing as there is only one camera so there will be lots of outakes.

Below is an example of a single camera set up. The graphic labelled 1 is the camera as you can see there is only one camera used in a single camera set up. The graphics labelled A and B are the subjects. Single camera set ups are used to pay more attention to detail. In this setting in particular it looks as if the camera (graphic 1) is focusing on subject B.

  Multi-camera set ups are when more than one camera is used when filming a scene. Each camera films at the same time but from different angles and are focused on different points. Usually the two central cameras are focused on the general action and pan around the scene. Unlike the central cameras the two outer cameras are used to focus on close up shots of the subject(s). An advantage of using a multi camera set up is that it is a lot quicker than using a single camera set up as there are multiple cameras which means more shots can be taken from different angles. This speeds the editing process up as well as the filming. Multi-camera set ups are most commonly used in things such as soap operas as the gave a strict time schedule and are aired on a regular basis. Multi camera set ups are great for filming live productions as the multipule cameras film different angles of the scene at the same time. It also provides more footage of the scene which could create a better production. A dissadvantage of using multi camera techniques is that if there is a mistake or a flaw in the scene the whole scene will have to be retaken as it will show on all cameras this problem is unlikely to occur when using a single camera technique. Another problem is that sometimes on a smaller set the cameras may capture something that is unwanted in the shot for example a light, microphone or camera. Using a multi camera set up may be cheaper and quicker however it does not allow you to get the exact shot that you would like everytime as you do not have as much control over the lighting and postioning as you do with a single camera set up.  Although it is very helpful and cheap in the long run using more than one camera, it is very costly paying for equipment before filming.

Below is an example of a multi camera set up. In this image graphics 1,2,3 and 4 are the cameras. A multi camera setup uses multipul cameras to shoot scenes from different angles and positions. This image is a perfect example of a multi camera set up where the 4 cameras are focusing on different angles of the subjects (graphics A and B).

I think that both set ups are very useful in there own ways depending on which type of production you are wanting to create.