Camera And Meaning Assessment.

SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION VS. MULTI CAMERA PRODUCTION.

I am going to be talking about multi camera production vs. single camera production. First what is a single and multi camera production?
Single camera production is the use of one camera to shot/film but gets shot from only angle but gives out detailed shots and very good for dramatic effects and its more suitable for filming series and movies.
Multi Camera production is the use of more than one camera to film or shoot it enables the scene to be gotten from different angles and can easily cut between shots. Its suitable for live and studio filming.

DIFFRENT GENRES
Multi camera and single cameras both have different genres in which they can be and used and also in others where they cannot be used.
For a Talk Show a multi camera will be used because its been produced in the studio and sometimes its aired live. They cannot use single camera for this because different shots are meant to be taken from different angles which makes it a lot easier with multi camera because you do not need to set up the camera again once its been set up the set up doesn't change but if a single camera was used you would have to set up the camera each time you need to take a different shot from a new angle which won't be suitable for a live TV show. An example of such TV shows that use multi camera techniques is the Jeremy Kyle show. Below is a video from the show baring in mind that the show must have aired live on a particular change I want you to notice the quick change and cut between shots.

In this video above we can notice the quick cut in shots between the talent Jeremy Kyle and the guest on his show as they battle out their problems, we can also see that the show is on a stage and there is also a quick cut between shots from the audience and what's happening on stage. All this cannot be caught with just one camera as it is airing live so therefore it is done with multi camera.

For a Sci-fi movie/ series and Teen Drama single camera will be used, there will need to be a lot of dramatic effects and facial expressions shown also drawing audiences attention to a particular thing in the movie/series. This ideally will be done with a  multi camera because its cheaper to film with a single camera and because only small amount of money are allocated for the budget of the movie/series and therefore would be wise to use a single camera as it will cost less than using a multi camera.
When filming a movie/ series using a single camera there is no need to worry when filming and using the 180 degree rule that another camera is going to get in shot and then waste more time redoing the shot but the disadvantage about the 180 degree rule is that it can easily be broken while in a multi camera shoot you absolutely do not need to worry about the 180 degree rule. Another benefit of single camera technique is that the scene can be done over and over again until its gotten right but the disadvantage here is that more time is wasted in filming and editing but gives us variety of shots to chose from.
 Another major reason why single camera will be in other to use a lot of coverage shots in other to get as much dramatic effects in as possible. In the video below we can see the use of different single camera techniques such as close ups, extreme close ups, long shots and extreme long shots to show different emotions and send different dramatic effects.

For teen drama we can look at Skins and how it uses different camera techniques  in the video below, I would like you to notice the use of single camera techniques such as close ups and establishing shots to keep the video interesting.

For Comedy shows and thrillers shows both use single cameras but for comedies it can vary when it is a comedy talk show because a talk show is live and need to get shots from different angles. When filming a comedy documentary for example Come Fly With me we can notice that a lot of over the shoulder shots and close ups are used as well as some high angle shots we can see this in the video below;

Thrillers such as Utopia uses single camera production as the shot are gotten from different angles using shot types that are single camera techniques such as close ups to drag importance to a character or object, two shots to show relationship and a lot more. It won't be a good idea to use multi camera to shot a thriller such as utopia because when you have to do a shot that means you will have to set up the three different cameras again and if one of the cameras gets in the way you will have to re-do all the shots again. I have also filmed a thriller and it was easy using a single camera as I had a lot smaller team to control, had varieties of coverage shots to use and also master shot all shot it one camera, below is a video of my webisode which contained mainly single camera techniques and was a single camera production and also a scene from Utopia.

USES.
Multi- camera production is used for filming live shows in other to get different shots from different camera and to also enable the editor to quickly and easily cut between shots to show the action as its happening due to movement of certain characters. Films are mainly single camera but in other to get all the action for example in a fighting film such as 007 multi camera will be used to just capture the action only.

Single Camera production is used for the filming of films, series, serial and single dramas. Single camera is used because its cheaper as these formats require just low budget, in other to get all the dramatic effects. Due to using one camera the shots can be redone until its right .

PURPOSE
The purpose or reason for using multi camera production is simply  to be able to film live shows such as a football match, instead of a camera man running around following the players on the side line as the match is been played he can sit at one end of the stadium filming just a particular section or angle while there are also other camera men filming other angles or section round the pitch thereby getting the whole pitch at ones and been able to follow the action and broadcast it live to viewers.
The purpose for using a single camera to film a serial is in other to save money, to get loads of dramatic effects and also to get a lot of coverage shots to enable continuity and to make the video or episode more interesting and more engaging to viewers for example when a pan is used on a character it engages the viewer and makes the viewer follow the character as well.

ADVANTAGES OF S.C.P.(single camera production)

• Single camera production is cheaper as you have only one camera to pay for rather than multi where you have pay for two or more cameras.
• It allows you to be more detailed on dramatic effects this is possible through the use of coverage shots such as close ups. long shot, extreme close up, it also allows us to think about the angles of shot in order to cause suspense and meaning alongside character.
• You do not have to film in storyboard order, you can start filming from any part of the story board as all your shots are on one camera which allows you to rearrange them in the editing suite.
• There will be a variety of different shot types used
• Allows us to re-do our shots more than once
• Allows us to see relationship between two different characters
• Due to its variety of shots single camera production can be used in different genre of TV/FILM as they show emotion and other dramatic effects.

DISADVANTAGES OF S.C.P

• More footage which will result to a lot of time wasted in other to sort out which is useable or not giving you varieties of shots to chose from.
• Its time consuming because you have to set up the camera more than once while in multi camera production you don't have too.
• The longer you film the more time you will run out of day light while a multi camera is done there and there.
• It is very easy to break the 180 degree rule and the rule of thirds without even noticing
• there is a possibility that the camera runs out of battery and won't be able to film.
• If the camera is destroyed all the work/filming is gone as that is the only copy of your filming.

ADVANTAGES OF M.C.P(multi camera production)

• The camera set up is done only once while for the single camera production its done frequently.
• If one camera is destroyed the other ones are available with footage from the same scene.
• There is no 180 degree rule to follow
• Multi camera production is for live shows and its easier to cut between shots.

DISADVANTAGES OF M.C.P

• Multi camera production  is expensive as you will have to buy more than one camera and hire more than one camera men.
• You don't get to  redo shots
• M.C.P cannot be used for different TV/Film genres as it hardly shows or picks up any dramatic effects
• other cameras can easily get on scene

FORMATS OF S.C.P
There are three main formats of single camera production which are;

• SEREIES
• SERIALS
• SINGLE DRAMA

SEREIES: This is when every episode tells a story based on a particular character and it ends, the next episode starts with a different story about a different character but both characters are related to each other or have a relationship with each other. For example; the flash.

SERIALS: This is when the story doesn't end in one episode but continues and carries on from the next episode and its usually based on one character or two main characters e.g. breaking bad and my web serial Followed.
SINGLE DRAMA: is a show that finishes within the time its shown  and never returns and its usually 90 mins for example a touch of cloth is a perfect example of a single drama.

Below embedded is my webisode production called followed which falls under the category of serial, my webisode is a serial because I have used a single camera to film it, the story is set in  a way that   allows continuity every episode picks up from where the last one stopped and its mainly based on two characters Alice and Matt.


NARRATIVE STRUCTURES

• Linear(3 act structure): This is when the story starts from the beginning and leads to the middle and then to the end therefore it goes in a straight line.
• Non-Linear: This is when the story either starts from the end or the middle and uses series of flashbacks to tell the story.
• Episodic narrative: this is when a story is been told through a series of episodes or segment.
• Open: this is when the story goes on and there is no sense of an end
• Closed narrative: this is when the story is brought to an audience and then ultimately brought to a conclusion.
• Realist: this is a story that aims to present the viewers with a real life feel.
• Non-realist:  this a story line that presents viewers with a situation or concept that is clearly made up.
• Single stranded: This is a one story or plot in the sense that it just tells a single story.
• Multi stranded: This is the use of more than one story line or plot but at the end all connect to one story or all affect each other.

My webisode which is embedded below has episodic narrative because the story is told over different episode and not just one and the story continues from where the last episode stops each new episode. Its also multi stranded as there are so many events that will be going on but in the end relate or still direct to the main characters. Its also going to have an open ending in other for it to allow continuity the last episode is going to be where the two main characters regain their memory but are in a lab from here the story can go on and no in the next season. My web serial is not linear its non linear in other to cause suspense and create mystery .

SINGLE CAMERA TECHNIQUES

I'm writing this blog post to outline the uses, advantages of single camera techniques and everything you need to know about single camera techniques. I have used a single camera to film a webisode called Followed in there I used various single camera techniques which I will be explaining bellow.
First I'm going to start by stating and explaining the types of single camera techniques we have:

1. Master shot , Establishing  shot and a Sequence of Shots:  

Establishing shots is the shot that usually comes first in a clips and shows/tells the audience where the action is taking place or the scene is shot, this is usually a long shot or extreme long shot this can also be the master shot in some cases. The advantage of using these shots is that it tells or shows the viewers where the story actually starts and it also allows continuity and also incase of any disruptions when filming once you have the master shot you can develop the story from there rather than having coverage shots which wont really make sense without the master shot.
Below is an establishing shot from webisode of a house which the shot will be taking place in it has already told the audience that they will shortly be seeing the inside of the house as the story continues this can only be dine with a single camera as the shot is needed from only one point of view and not different angles.

Sequence of shots: this is using a series of shots such as the master and coverage shots to tell or establish a story. The advantage of this is that it allows continuity and dramatic effects such as suspense and it also tells a story as the shots are aligned to tell a story.
Below is a screen grab from my webisode in which i have used a close up which is an establishing shot as the clip can diverse into different sections from just this one clip. This shot can only be possible by using on camera because the shot can be redone all over again and other cameras don't get in the way  which is a disadvantage for multi- camera and an advantage for single camera because when using multi camera it will be difficult to redo the shots again.

High angle shots, Low angle, tilt shots: An high angle shot is when the camera is taken from an high angle which means the camera is lifted higher or above the character that is been filmed to show that that character is small or the character is dominant to another. While low angle shots are shots that are taken from a low angle that makes a character look bigger or superior or intimidating to the audience or to another character. Low angle shot is filmed from a camera which has been set under a characters eyes. A Tilt shot is where a shot is filmed to slant and also  changes the horizontal and vertical lines to allow a better composition the reason for a tilt shot is in order disturb the viewer or just to cause a feeling of danger. The advantages of using high angle, low angle and tilt shots is in other to add more dramatic effects, to cause a certain or particular feeling as the clip is been watch. this shots will not be possible by using multiple cameras as they can easily get in shot. Below is a screen grab from my webisode where I have used/ filmed an high angle shot.

 3. Shot types: There are different types of shots an I'm going to be talking about a few of them here
The first is a Mid shot; this is a shot of a character from their waist up this shot is usually trying to establish a character. The advantage of using various coverage shots is that it allows continuity, allows the use of  different dramatic effects. I used this shot in my webisode as I used it to establish who my characters were we can see where I used these shots in the screen grab below. The advantage of this shot is that it allows the viewers to pay attention to a character and what is happening to them.

Extreme close up; this is a close up on a particular object or characters body part e.g. the eyes to attach importance to the object or to show facial expressions of the character. I used this on my webisode to attach importance to a particular mystery character. The advantage or purpose of an extreme close up is to attach importance to a particular object or to show facial expression based on the characters reaction on what has happened.

Wide Shot: this shot is used to show the background of the video as well giving away the location and also it shows the relationship between the character and their surroundings. This shot creates suspense as it doesn't reveal anything detailed about the character except few parts for example a wide shot of a character in a dark room shows that the character is isolated from the world. I didn't use this in my webisode because I didn't want to reveal the locations of the characters twice as I have already used the master shot to do that. The advantages of using a wide shot is that it applies certain effect on the clip and also says quite a few about a character.

Close ups: this is a zoomed in shot on a characters face to show facial expression in other to tell the audience what they are actually feeling, it can also be used on an object to show importance to that object. The advantage of this shot is that it allows you to add dramatic effects to the shot. I used this shot on my webisode to draw importance to a particular character, we can see this in the screen grab below.

Over the shoulder shot: this is when the camera is placed over the shoulder of a character and puts the other character in the scene. It is usually used when two characters are having a conversation. The advantage of this is that it allows us to see the characters from a different angle. I didn't use this in my webisode because wasn't a scene where there was dialogue between two characters.


Pan/Following shot: Pan is a moving shot that follows a character or an object its mainly used to add dramatic effects to the video and also causes suspense and also to make the viewers follow a particular object or character. I used this in my webisode to show that a particular character is been followed and also a pan of a room to show that the room is scattered. The advantage of a pan is that it allows viewers to be able to see the nearly the whole set on screen and also makes viewers to follow a certain object or character.

180 degree rule: This is an imaginary line that goes between two characters on screen, the camera stays on one side of the line which has to be where the establishing shot was taken from and doesn't crossover to the other side. Over the shoulder shot is used to film each character in other to make sure the camera doesn't cross the line. The advantage about this shot is that it doesn't allow the characters look like they are facing the same way but the disadvantage about this shot is that its very easy to break the 180 degree rule.

Rule of thirds: this is the using of gridlines to control the depth of field, the depth of field will line up on the grid lines this is good for establishing shots and tilt shot, advantage of using this shot is that it allows you to control the tilt shot perfectly as the horizontal and vertical lines are present.

Lighting: lightning describes a scene or character and it also sends outa feel or creates a feeling of fear and other dramatic effects it is very important in film making as it creates scenes and tells a story about a character or an object. The advantage for lightning is that it sends out a certain feel or says something certain on how a character is. In my webisode I didn't really pay attention to lightning but if I had it would have been a lot better than it was right now. There are three different types of light which are the key light. fill light and background light.  the key light is the light that shines directly on the character while the fill light is the light that shines from the side and the background light is that shines from the back of the character.



Match on Action: This is a shot that shows that a character is focused on an object or another character the camera cuts to the object or character and then to the character. The advantage of using this shot is that it explains scene and scenario. I used this shot in my webisode and we can see this in the screen grab below. In the scene below the character is focused on the young boys leg which is in the screen grab below.

Shot Reverse Shot: This a shot between two characters that is taken from the back of one of the character also showing the other character that is on set its almost like an over the shoulder but not quite. The advantage of this shot is that it gets both characters on scene I didn't use this shot in my webisode because I didn't have a shot where two characters were actually engaging in a conversation but in the future I will be using the shot. Depth of field: this is when the background or the foreground of a shot has been blurred out so that the audience and focus on an object or s character. The advantage of using this shot is that it draws importance to an ordinary object or a character or building. I didn't use this shot in my webisode because the camera I used didn't have the capability to take such shots, the shot is mainly used to draw or attach importance to an object.

Framing: There are there different types of framing which are; head room is when space is been created fro characters over their heads its not good to leave  excess space because it will ruin the shot the only time space should be left in a relatively high amount is when conveying someone in the back ground. Dead space is when a lot of space has been left over the head of the character this is not good as it will shorten the shot and the view if the character but when conveying something in the background then its good. The last is lead room shot this is the space left for the input of dramatic effects such as close ups and extreme close ups. The advantage of framing is that it aligns your shots in the right manner and allows characters to be visibly seen, I didn't use this in my webisode because I didn't know about it but it will be very effective in my webisode if I had added it.

Blocking: this is simply where a particular character or object will be place on set and also determines the position of the camera. The advantage of this is that it allows us to plan properly before shooting. I did use this on my webisode to determine where my character will be lying on the bed we can see this in the screen grab to the right.

The advantage of using different variety of coverage shots allowed me to add a lot of dramatic effects and attention grabbing shot which is much more easier doing with a single camera than a multi camera because there is no fear of any other camera getting on set. The use of single camera allowed me ton use coverage shots such as close up which cause suspense and mystery in my webisode.
Being on set with a smaller crew was a very big advantage as they was a smaller number of people to mange and everyone was busy either filming or acting so there wasn't any problem of anyone getting on set and causing us to retake the whole set all over again. The advantage in having multiple  takes of  the action left me with a lot of different shots to chose from rather than stuck with just one that is not of good quality because I have only filmed the action once. A very big disadvantage would have been keeping the 180 degree rule even though I didn't use it but it would be difficult as it is an imaginary line and not one that is visible. Another disadvantage was that due to the  fact that we had only one camera and we had to shoot over 10 shots there was no way we could dived it as we had only one camera so we had to take each shot one at a time which took time. Another big disadvantage is in the editing suite because due to the amount of shots we must have taken which will be much because we filmed with one camera will take longer to edit also we would have to be extra careful when planning our story bord and getting the amount of shots we were going to use.

Master shot & Building a sequence of shot

FOLLOWED.

GOOGLE DOCS

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tKwpHeWPWRnbMxOY_YDEIdb06r50N3GWcCvIl6kmoaM/edit?usp=sharing

Production Requirements

Type Of Production
The type of production I will be looking to produce will be a web-serial and its genre is Thriller.

Finance

• Source Of Finance: Most film producers get their finances from either investors investing a particular amount of money in their production to be paid back after the production of the film, while others might get their finances form their own personal savings which in return when the movie makes profit is going to benefit them in a long run there are still other get theirs through lottery and other ways. For my production I'm not going to be needing a lot of money because the essential materials are going to be provided to me by my school for my production. The only thing my school is not funding is feeding for me and my actors which I will be funding myself from own personal savings, my transport and actors transport is already covered as we all have free oyster bus passes.
• Budget Requirements: Ideally as I will be shooting a web-serial below will be a layout of how much is needed and what for they are needed for:

1. Cameras-  Ranges form £93.99 up to £32,549.46, I will have to purchase one as I'm using a single camera to shoot my web-serial. I will be using the colleges camera which is free on booking.
2. Lights and Microphone: £54.99 + £183.64 for both lights and microphone. I wont be needing this as I will be shooting my web-serial during day time and my actors voices will be recorded for a voice over on the videos, it also cost around £500 per day to hire a camera man and sometimes they come with all their equipment's and sometimes they don't.
3. Editing suites: can be hired for £500 per day/hour but I'm going to be booking the colleges editing suite for editing of the web series.
4. Talent: to hire a talent/ talents will cost like around £500-£700, but I will be using my colleagues who take acting or drama as a course as they will be more professional than others, and because they are my colleagues they will not ask for any pay.
5. Crew: To hire a crew for a web series in the real world will probably cost more than £5,100. For my web series we will be in groups of 6 and we will make up the crew as jobs will be split between us. 
6. Facility Hire: in a real life experience to rent an edit suite for the videos to be edited will probably cost around £550 per day. I will be using the schools editing suite which is free to use.

• TIME

Time and scheduling in the media industry is very important because of a deadline is not met the producers start to lose money as they will spend extra money to buy more time to spend on their project. I will be mostly filming on weekends as the week is occupied for me and most of the actors because of school we should be able to do a lot of different shots in three days so ideally two - three weeks should be enough for filming and editing of my web series. Some work can also be done during week as well.

The equipment I'm going to be using are going to be free as the colleges equipment are free on booking but I will still need to buy some few equipment like props which would normally cost around £500 but can get it for a more cheaper prize.

• CREW& PERSONNEL

For the availability of personals I'm going to be doing this project with 3 or 2 other people so the roles of production will be split between us, for actors we will be gathering talents form our colleagues who study acting and drama as they will fit in and look more professional on set but in a real world auditions will be held to get actors and this will cost the production crew money as they will have to rent a location for the auditions and it will probably cost more money getting a professional crew together such as camera men, directors e.t.c.

• MATERIALS

Clearance is paying for copyrighted materials to used e.g music tracks/ sounds. For every time a copyrighted material is shown on another show the owner of the material gets paid some certain amount of money which usually ranges form £50 upwards depending on how much is agreed, because this is a school project we won't have to pay for the use of other sound tracks but for my web serial I am planing on creating original sounds my self as I and most people in my group know how to use Logic Pro X. Also we can get non copyrighted form you tube and its also free download   here is an example: https://www.youtube.com/user/uncopyrighted4u

• LOCATION

Most of our shots will be filmed local that is within and around Kent and we will need a permit form the Kent council to be able to film in specific places, when the weather is not favorable for us while filming we can either film it that way and edit it to look better or use the weather to send out a mood in the series. 

The distance for filming spots won't be far away form where crew members live as I said earlier it will be local and all the crew members do live local.
Most materials will be provided by the college as it is free on booking and for the ones that aren't they will be either bought or booked off a booking company for a period of time
Recces is us going out to take pictures and scouting out the locations we are going to use for our web series in real life situation an  agency will be paid to do so and usually  cost quite a lot of money.

The BBFC won't regulate my web series as thy only regulate movies and cinematic shows and theater shows.

• FACILITIES

Production Equipment: equipment such as cameras, lights and other things can be booked for free form the college.  But in a real life situation it will cost around 1000 pounds as to get a camera man alone cost around 500 pounds that half of the money gone already.

Post- production equipment: edit suite can be booked for 550 pounds a day and this suites will contain macs which will run the software Final cut x which is the software that will be used to edit their shots. I will be using the editing suites in school as they are free to use.