Unit 22: Single Camera Techniques

Single camera production uses only one camera to shoot TV programs and films. There are both advantages and disadvantages of using a single camera as oppose to multi-camera production. This technique has been used since the 1960’s and has recently been popularized by shows such as “Scrubs”, “30 Rock” and “Malcolm in the middle”. One of the biggest disadvantages to using single camera production is only being able to get one angle or shot at a time. This makes the process of shooting one scene a lot more time consuming, compared to using multiple cameras. A benefit of using a single camera is the cutting back of employees as only one camera operator is needed.

Sitcoms such as “Friends” and “the Fresh Prince of Bel Air” that are filled on a three walled set in front of a studio audience are multi-camera. Films and hour long dramas like “Dexter” and “Game of Thrones” are shot with a single camera, to try and emulate the style of a film. All narrative structures such as linear, non-linear, flashback, flash-forward, realist, anti-realist, open ended and closed are possible using a single camera. A linear narrative structure is a story line that runs from start to end in chronological order including no flashbacks or flash-forwards and not broken up in anyway. The most popular linear story lines are included in Soaps such as Coronation Street and Eastenders.

Flashbacks are points in a narrative story line were it goes back in time to show something that has happened in the past. There are several ways that the director can enter a flashback. Such as a bright flash, or zooming right into the eye or face. The flashbacks usually exit the same way as they entered although this is not necessary. Flash-forwards are the opposites of flashbacks; they are used to show the audience a section of the future that is important to the story line. These are very similar to the flashbacks in the way that they are presented, however flash-forwards are frequently used to open a film. Both of these techniques can be used with a single camera

Realist narratives are story lines that are believable by that audience because they appear real, or are based on a true story that has happened in the past. This is a used to good effect in many horror films as something is much scarier to the audience if it could happen or has happened before in the past. The Blair Witch project is a very good example of a realist narrative as it if filmed using a hand held camera, this could be done by anyone using a camera. This is scarier because it feels real.

Anti-Realism is a narrative that is blatantly not realistically filmed, and used a lot of after effects. Providing the movie involves good quality effects and actor’s anti-realism can be used to create good films in all different genres by applying suitable effects. Star Wars is the most popular example of an Anti-Realism narrative, this style maybe the hardest to pull off using the single camera technique.

The 180 degree rule is one of the key principles in single camera production. It is employed mostly in the filming of dialog between two or more characters. By following it, you reduce the risk of making a scene that both disorientates an audience, and makes no sense. The rule consists of the scene having an imaginary line running through the middle of it. By staying to one side of the line when filming, you reduce this risk. By venturing over it, you break the rule.

There is a lot of editing involved when creating single camera productions. The reason for this is because all of the scenes are shot with the same camera. There still is not as much editing involved as multi-camera production, this is because it is easier to edit the footage from one camera as oppose to several. Techniques have been developed to help cut down on shooting time and editing, such as videoing all of one persons lines, covering half of a two-way conversation before moving the camera to record the other persons responses.