Single Camera Techniques

Single Camera Production
Single camera production has risen in popularity in the past decade, due to the increase in television channels some of which will be produced with a single camera. These channels are often dedicated to particular genres that work well shooting with one camera, examples include drama's and sitcoms.

In this post, we will look at a number of aspects of single camera production such as  the skills needed to film, edit, light and create settings/locations. We shall take an in depth look at each aspect making references to commissioned work.  Each role in single camera production differs to multi camera production, so I shall make sure that I point out the differences were necessary.

Camera
Single camera production in its simplest form uses one camera for the entire shoot, only in certain scenes were heavy dialogue occurs will more than one camera be used. Single camera productions are often used in dramas as the style of SCP's creates a realistic view of characters. The viewer sees a scene or shot from a single point of view creating a personal effect that helps to involve the audience and allow them to learn more about the characters.
One of the biggest pros of shooting with a single camera is that the director is able to have complete control of the shot. Directors are able to film specific scenes controlling every aspect of the shot which ultimately allows them to shoot to their exact personal preferences. Their styles of shooting become much easier to control and the outcome is often far better detailed
Using a single camera to shoot a large number of scenes can be rather time consuming. A scene in itself may need to be shot multiple times from a variety of angles and shot lengths. It's also very costly to shoot with a single camera. Having to shot for a long period of time on set and at locations will see costs increase dramatically. Shooting on film will also be expensive when shooting with single camera as the more you shoot the more rolls of film will be needed.

Single Camera Set-up:

Multiple Camera Set-up:

Lighting
Setting up the lighting for multiple cameras can be a rather difficult in comparison to setting up the lighting for a single camera. When shooting with a single camera, each shot can be specifically set to create a certain mood and feel. However when using multiple cameras, the lighting has to be set for each and every camera. This takes away some of the creative element to the scene lighting and can create a toneless and monotonous feel to the lighting.


Example: Low key lighting in the film "The Godfather".

Sound

The quality of sound when shooting in general is very important as it can often be difference between a well received piece of work and a badly received piece of work. Using the basic camera mic can give poor quality in scenes with important dialog. Using multiple high quality microphones can enhance a video effect on the audience. 

Audio should always overlay the visuals in order to avoid jumpy and cut off audio. To avoid audio issues, start the audio recording a few seconds before you start shooting the scene, then wait a few seconds after the scene has ended to stop the audio recording. The audio files can then be edited alongside the visuals in post production.

In single camera production, a single stationary or controlled microphone will be sufficient to capture the audio for the scene. Multiple camera productions will often use hidden mics that are worn by the characters in order to avoid multiple pieces of equipment being visible in shot. The audio equipment increases the chances of boom mics being visible in scenes. Single camera productions will often add another camera in scenes with a large amount of dialog, so that the scene is less monotonous. Will all productions, audio effects are often added in the post production stages.

 

Film makers will often use a higher quality audio file from a different take to the one that fits the shots visuals. The audio from the on screen visuals will be removed from the shot in post production and switched with a higher quality version captured during a different take of the same shot. In some shots, the audio will be mixed with a different visual. Shots such as narrations and cut-aways allow high quality audio to be selected.

Coverage

The term "coverage" relates to the amount footage you have. Having a substantial amount of high quality footage means that you have a good coverage. Coverage is something that has become much easier to obtain with the ever evolving technology. Digital cameras and storage devices (hard-drives, SD cards) have allowed low budget productions to obtain good coverage. Shooting with film can be expensive and so good coverage becomes harder and more costly to obtain. Having poor coverage can cause issues during the post production stages. If a particular scene has continuity errors then good coverage will often be able to solve the issue. Poor coverage will result in these errors being unsolvable and the overall scene can be ruined. 

Single camera productions particularly need good coverage as you are relying on the one camera to shoot entire scenes. If you have poor coverage with a lack of shot variation and techniques then it can often lead to a flat looking film. Scenes should always be shot numerous times in order to avoid issues in the first place. Being experimental with your shots will give you multiple options during the editing stages of your production. 

Master-shots should always be obtained before you begin varying your shots.The master-shot is often shot at a wide angle in order to include all of the action and characters. The master-shot should be used as a platform when editing as it introduces the scenes location and characters to the audience. Single camera productions allow time for the talent to check their lines in between shots. This is a often overlooked by young directors but it allows new and inexperienced talent to learn their lines in a less daunting and pressured situation. In multiple camera productions, scene are often simultaneously which means that the talent has to learn large proportions of lines with little to no time to check them before shooting.

Editing 

The editing process of any production can take a long period of time to complete. Certain productions will need more time for editing than others depending on the genre and style of the production. Good coverage is a good thing to have but can be a long process to look through. Multiple camera productions will often not use a large amount of footage and so this can  be expensive if shooting with film. Multiple camera productions will spend less time shooting than single camera productions so both productions have their pros and cons. Using a single camera will generally mean that the shooting period is longer. Sets and locations are expensive to hire and will therefore effect your budget dramatically. Multiple camera productions that shoot with film will also see an effect in their budget as film is expensive. Single camera productions will often take advantage of locations and shoot entire scenes in those locations. This is very cost effective and an efficient way to shoot with a limited budget.

Using multiple cameras for live events such as the X Factor allows the producer to mix shots in real time. This would not be possible with a single camera as each shot would have to be edited together in post production. The producer will have a live feed to the individual cameras as they record the event. He/she will choose which shots the audience will see. The multiple cameras make for a more engaging experience for the viewer. The shot variation of close ups, tracking shots etc, allow the audience to view the entire event in detail.

Shooting large productions such as feature films with a single camera can leave an editor with a mountain of footage to look through. This process of post production is arguably the most tedious and least enjoyable. Particular shots could have at least three other variations from a different angle or length. The editor will have to work alongside the director in choosing which shot will be chosen. The process of simply choosing the shots to edit can be a tedious process for the post production team. Most directors will use a shot log that keeps an account of which shot variations were successful and which were not. Shot logs can save the editor a lot of time as he would usually have to search through each shot.

Genres

Many films and television programmes use single cameras. These productions are used for a number of purposes. The three most popular genres that use a single camera are listed below.

Period Dramas
Period dramas, otherwise known as Costume dramas are period pieces in which elaborate costumes and sets are designed to generate an aura of a particular era in time. Time periods including the 1920s and 1940s are particularly common with British period dramas as they focus on the effects of  both Word War I and World War II. Most period dramas include romantic elements such as Downtown Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. 

Crime

Single camera productions are often seen in crime thrillers such as Breaking Bad. The use of a single camera not only allows the actors to develop their characters roles but it also allows the director to capture the characters emotions more effectively with the use of low key lighting.

Horror

Horror films use single camera productions as a tool to create a realistic feel to the film. The best horror films utilize the single camera and use its an effective tool to create the scare factor. Horror films such as Paranormal activity use a single camera to capture that horror in a first person experience. The camera acts as viewpoint for the characters so what they are seeing, is what the audience sees.

Comedy

Single camera productions in comedy are generally less popular to multiple camera productions as the reactions to comedic elements feel more natural. Single camera productions have to shoot the reactions to jokes individually. These reactions can often seem artificial and detract from the purpose of comedic films. In my opinion, the best comedies often use improvised jokes and reactions as they feel genuine.  In the film "This is 40" there is scene including the hilarious Melissa McCarthy, who plays a furious mother who's called into a meeting with her sons headteacher to solve an issue with another students parents. In the scene, she abuses not only the headteacher but the other parents. When is was watching this scene, I noticed that it felt very improvised. In the end credits, it shows alternative variations of the same scene which also seem improvised. The improvisation in the scene is in my eyes, the main catalyst for the effectiveness of the comedy.

Soap Opera

Soap operas such as EastEnders use multiple cameras as they are usually produced at a frequent rate. The multiple use of cameras allows them to produce the episodes at a high rate. Single camera productions take far more time to produce due to the amount of various shots that need to be captured. Sets are usually created to house the amount of cameras needed. Single cameras are used in some Soap Operas as in some cases locations such as actual houses can not house the large quantity of equipment.

Formats

Series

"Lost "

This TV show has a main plot through each series but has sub narratives within each episode, some running over more than one episode.

Serial

A serial such as Boardwalk Empire has a continuous plot that slowly unfolds and evolves as each episode is watched. Series usually form from story arcs and transform into entire seasons. As the story evolves, knew characters are included and removed from the main story.

Single Drama

A single drama is the equivalent of a television film. In a period of a single episode which can be as long as a 90 minute film, will follow an entire story. Single dramas are usually very immersive as they follow the main character through a part of their lives.