WHAT IS A SINGLE CAMERA TECHNIQUE?

The difference between a single camera technique and multi camera technique is quite simple and quite self - explanatory. The multi camera technique is used for most reality TV shows, news reports, soap operas and anything that is filmed in a studio. When using this technique, most production teams only have 3 walls of a studio, the fourth wall being replaced by the cameras, the production team and sometimes an audience.

Single camera technique is used for most music videos, and some sitcoms, such as The Mighty Boosh, The Mindy Project and New Girl. Single camera set up is simply when one camera is used to shoot the whole thing, sometimes as one piece, and sometimes as smaller separate shoots which are then edited together for the final piece.

There are many different advantages and disadvantages to both techniques, some of which are listed below;

Single Camera

DISADVANTAGES

-You have to shoot the same scene

again and again, with the camera in a

different position each time.

-This process takes a lot longer.

Because you’re shooting everything

separately, you have to be very

careful about continuity, such as

timing and positioning.

ADVANTAGES

-An advantage is that you get

maximum creative control over each

individual shot i.e. positioning, lighting,

framing and composition. 

-You also

don’t have to worry about the

cameras appearing in each other’s

shots.

-The camera is independent, standalone

– it is a single entity.

-Chance to edit everything you have

shot later on. This gives you

maximum creative freedom with the

material you have obtained.

Edit ‘live’ I.e. you cut between

cameras (like a TV studio setup).

Multi Camera

DISADVANTAGES

-You have to light the entire studio so

all shots have the risk of looking very

shady.

-You also must ensure that the

cameras don’t get in the way of each

other.

-Cameras in a proscenium arch, this makes multi-camera

look like you’re watching a

theatre studio i.e. a 3 wall studio, the

4th wall is all the cameras.

ADVANTAGES

-More than one camera all connected

to each other.

-Chance to edit everything you have

shot later on. This gives you

maximum creative freedom with the

material you have obtained.

Edit ‘live’ I.e. you cut between

cameras (like a TV studio setup).-You are editing live, which is speedy

and efficient.

-It’s cheaper. Time = money.