Single Camera Set-Up – Introduction
Unit 22
The single-camera setup is a method of shooting films and television programs. The shots are often taken out of order and the single camera film or video is employed on the set. As you can guess from the name, only one camera is employed. Each of the various shots from high to low, side to side is taken by one camera. Which is either reset or moved to capture each shot? Single camera setup is usually used for prime time dramas, made for tv movies, music videos and commercial advertisements. With Single cameras you are allowed to do different sections of the scenes and start from the end and put it all together when editing, single cameras are good to be used when you have time on your hands. Otherwise a multi camera should be used where all scenes are filmed in order and shown live without having the time to go through and edit them.
A single camera set up is different to a multi camera set up. One being the obvious where more cameras are used to shoot the production. It’s known as an alternate method, which uses two or more cameras running simultaneously and not one camera. Multi shots are generally taken, and you do not need to film a scene from beginning, you can cut to other scenes. Whereas you would have to do that in an editing room if you use a single camera. Generally in a multi camera scene, there are three cameras set up. Two outer cameras are placed to shoot close ups or crosses, and the centre camera is used to capture the overall action and establishment of the scene, which we can call being a master shot. Using a multi camera is efficient because it takes up less time and there is no need for lighting up the scene, or setting up the alternate angles for the scene to be shot again from the different angle.
The advantages of using a single camera setup is that it allows the scene to be filmed perfectly, by adding the lighting and other features to make the characters and scene look amazing. Furthermore it’s also essential because the person filming can move freely with the camera. They are able to film all around different angles, without having to caution themselves to the fact that another camera may be seen in the scene. Therefore it is common for a single camera to break the 180 degree rule as it doesn’t really apply that much of a great deal as it does to a multi camera scene. However a disadvantage of a single camera setup is that it is much more time consuming, because it has to cover a series of shots and angles meaning that you would have to repeat shots more than what a multi camera would require. Also using a single camera may be a challenge as it may be hard to make the films continuity perfect, especially if the scene is where there are a load of people involved or a crowd. The cuts may be spotted. This means there will be even more time wasted in the editing room where everything will be required to put together perfectly and fitted in. Moreover it’s hard to repeat the shots especially if it’s high drama or chaotic.
The types of programs that tend to use a single camera setup are usually documentaries and TV Dramas such as Merlin, Scrubs, Gavin and Stacey ect.. These are all series. Therefore it is suitable to use a single camera, as special lighting is required to light up the characters to make them look perfect for the scene. Also there is time to edit, reshoot and go through the scenes.
A single camera setup would not work for a news programme; because the new is a live show and more cameras are required. One camera is needed in the studio where there are people presenting the news and more cameras are needed where people are being interviewed, outside or there is a scene represented live outside. Also because the news is constant and has to be ongoing for 24hours, there is no time for cuts, edits or reshoots. Therefore a single camera would not work in this case. It would cause disorientation and contribute to a crash in the news system.
