Hannah Hussey BTEC TV and Film: Unit 22: Multi-camera techniques

Multi-camera techniques

Task 1: Define Multi-camera techniques through a written report or an audio-visual presentation.

Multi-camera techniques, well what does this mean? the simple answer would be that it is a production which uses two or more cameras, but its much more complex than just that; why do studios choose to use this?, what are the advantages/how will multi-camera techniques differ to that of a single-camera drama?.

why do studios choose to use this?

The main reasons why studio companies use this technique would be for shooting a live production, for example: The x-factor, Dancing on ice, live sporting events and Big brother. Also panel shows such as: 8 out of 10 cats, mock the week, QI and never mind the buzzcocks. The companies would choose to use this techniques as it is a quicker format which would mean there is no need to set up the scene many times. It is also a cheaper way of filming and the editing process will be simpler to do. This is because The cameras contain a wider range of footage, more angles to work with a

nd, in cases of a live production, control of what is happening. Saying this the numerous angles produce a perfect way for an audience, watching a live program, to view all aspects of the events and emotions produced. This will then maintain more interest in the program. Continuing with the audience, Using multi-cam will ensure a feeling of observation, almost as if they are in the room with the characters/people from the program. So, answering the question 'why do studios choose to use multi-camera techniques?', It is because the technique is cheap, fast, simple and produces more footage to edit.

what are the advantages/how will multi-camera techniques differ to that of a single-camera drama?

The difference between Multi camera techniques and Single camera techniques are quite simple; Multi-cam use a variety of cameras to capture different angles of the same scene, Single-cam uses only one camera to capture the scenes. In my opinion, I believe that multi-cam would be the most useful of the two techniques, simply because there are much more advantages in the method:

There is more footage to fit together when editing.
More angles are created at one time.
It is faster to produce.
There is more control from the cameras.
the filming would not have to happen in clusters.
And finally, It is a cheaper technique.

There are many multi-camera production roles which all enable the production to run smoothly, some include: camera operation, sound mixing and overall management. Also there is the production documentation; timed scripts, shot lists, location plans, lighting plans, risk assessments, equipment check-list and camera script. Multi camera technique proves to be a very big time saver in the world of filming. Apart from having a wider range of clips for editing, scenes are shot quicker and things such as the sound checks, lighting and set up are not needed to be repetitively organized. In a studio the set up would usually look like this...

This allows for an abundant coverage of the studio, grabbing angles from each part of the set. It is useful for capturing the audiences reaction along with facial expressions (with an E.C.U) and the overall location (with a L.S).

Task 2:

Watch the clips below and explain how the clips do the following….

Communicate meaning to the viewer

Maintain viewer interest

Kraftwerk:

Kraftwerk incorporates an array of shots almost simultaneously. The main shot I identified would be the tracking shots which not only identify the people involved in the performance, through a M.S of the group, but also add much needed suspense and action to the production. The music is technical and the group members are almost robot-like. This would connote control and signify a futuristic and modern interpretation on music. The shots would then back this up by maintaining the viewers interest. They would jump-cut

at very short periods of time which adds action which is lacking in the performance. Mystery is also created here, as the synthetic music changes as does the shots, they mirror the production of the music. The cameras want us to pay close attention to every part of the production and by doing this they will draw us from a C.U of the synthesizers to an E.L.S of the location. A birds eye view shot is produced looking down on the stage as a tracking shot, a still shot here would not work with the theme and therefore but using tracking shot it has created an excitable atmosphere. The Ariel tracking shot enables us to see the size of the venue, which in this case would be an extremely large hall, and signifies the bands success. There are many shots like this and they all fit perfectly with the music of the band. Overall, I feel that the smooth organic movement of the cameras allow fo

r a more robotic futuristic atmosphere, and the fast paced movement of the shots allow for excitement and movement which is needed to compliment the performance.

Fashion show.

The fashion show consists mainly of still shots which are repetitive throughout. The long shot of runway, establishes the setting and nicely introduces the whole show. A panning shot is shown as the modal walks down the runway, this is to show how the clothes move on the model, it is a way that the viewer can see what the clothes are like on a real person and is crucial in the filming of a fashion show. Close-ups are also used on the clothes to identify the detail and patten on the items. They produce a closer look on the clothing allowing for a more precise opinion. Close-ups on the model's faces show their expressions, in this case a serious face, and produce a kind of professionalism and seriousness to the show. A ped up is used to show a mid-shot of the whole outfit. It somehow creates mystery as it gradually u

nravels the clothes. The repetitiveness of the shots (L.S, P.S, M.S, P.U) make it simpler to follow, we can watch the show easily and it it light entertainment. The worm eye shot used connotes the power of the models and therefore the clothes they are wearing. This could suggest that the women who wear these clothes will be powerful and strong. finally, the long, low angle shot shows the model to be the centre of attention, she is the important aspect of the show.

Task 3: Produce a mind-map of ideas that develops your plan under the following headings…

Task 3: Use the ideas from your mind-map to write a treatment for your programme giving an overview of the programme and how it will be appropriate for your target audience.

The studio is going to be set up using a variety of equipment to fill the studio. We are going to have: two Panasonic video camera’s, one will capture a mid-shot of the presenters while the other camera will focus on getting a close ups. We also will have two lights in the studio, which will be positioned left and right of the presenters to help enhance my facial expressions. This will be done by using high-key and ambient lighting. We will also have two stools, which will be positioned in front of the backdrop and behind the table. The backdrop will be a painted canvas, which is of a suitable nature for our primary target audience of our show. Finally we will have our two presenters and our camera crew located in the studio, which will be positioned around the equipment they are in charge of.

We will produce a series of pre-collected footage that will appear in our live show. The production will include one music video; a single camera production, which was shot in the school to provide the live audience with a high sense of personal identity, which will hopefully engage them with the show. We will also have another piece of pre-recorded footage that will appear on the show, which will be aimed at our primary target audience. However we will have a large amount of live footage, which will mainly be the presenter’s speech dialogue, a small mini game such as a game of Cards or Blow Football to engage the audience with the production. We will also have a small introduction from the team to anchor the meaning of the show and create several enigmas, which will hopefully suspend the audience’s disbelief and provide them with a high level of diversion.

The content of our show will mainly consist of: presenter’s dialogue, music video, a single camera production, a small production which will be based on a well known music bed to give the audience a high level of personal identity. The small mini game will be broadcasted as a live feed to the main hall. As our primary target audience is people of the younger generation, we feel that all primary needs and typical conventions of a television production will be met as we will create several enigmas and provide them with an unrestricted range of information on the show.

Our visual style of the show will very much reflect on the mood we want to create in our production. But as we are aiming our broadcast at the younger generation a lot of the colours will be saturated to make our production stand out. Additionally we want to use bright colours on our set to develop pathetic fallacy so it generates a happy mood, which will hopefully be reflected in our live production. Also as the backdrop is bright blue, our presenters will be juxtaposed from the background, which will create a good mise en scene. We will have a modern dress code within the production to help create a high level of personal identity as we have the same dress code as our primary target audience.

We will try approach our live show with an informal style of address, as the typical convention of a children’s show is filmed with an informal style. However we are going to use a direct mode of address to engage the audience with the production. We’ll do this by asking rhetorical questions on the show to the live audience and creating mini-games where the audience members will be involved. Additionally we will use simple dialect in our script as our primary target audience will respond better to simple vocabulary.

Task 4: Create a production table that can be accessed by the whole group. Create a section for each of the following…

Equipment: