Single Camera Techniques
Intro
In this essay, I will be looking at everything to do with single-camera productions and all of the
techniques that come with making a single camera production. I will be looking at the camera,
lighting, sound, editing single cameras use in genres and formats. I will also look into the
advantages and disadvantages of a Multi-camera production.
Camera - how is the camera and the footage shot / obtained
For the majority of single-camera productions, only a single camera is used and only more tricky
and demanding shoots will use more than one camera due to it being easier to get a good shot
without the risk of messing up or a continuity error if it was tried again, as it would be incredibly
time absorbing to re set up a set after it had been trashed for example in 'Citizen Kane' (Citizen
Kane room trash Susan Alexander). Many directors will favour using a single camera as they
gain more control over what the camera actually does, and often allows them to get into almost
any shooting location. In single-camera productions, scenes will be recorded multiple times
across multiple takes from a few different angles. Single-camera and multi-camera productions
might not be much difference in pricing when using film stock as either way you will be using a
lot on film which costs a lot but with the move to more digital storage methods using a single
camera or multi-camera production a lot more affordable. 'While the "single-camera" label is a
misnomer — such shows often use more than one single camera — the key element is that the
show is shot much more like a film, without a live audience.' (https://screencraft.org/2016/06/21/differences-single-camera-multi-camera-tv-pilot-scripts/)
Lighting
When making a single camera production lighting is more simple compared to a multi-camera,
as you can individually light each shot because it only needs to look good in one camera
compared to 4 cameras where each cameras lighting has to look the same. Lighting for a single
camera is time-consuming as each individual shot has to have a different lighting setup meaning
the movement of all the lights to keep the shots consistent but this does enable for an overall
more stylistic effect. When lighting for a single camera production you won't need quite as much
light, this can help give it a more realistic feel rather than a flat feel that the lighting for a multi-
camera can sometimes emit. Lighting a single camera production can enable for a style to be
implemented by the filmmaker. This lighting setup would be fairly basic lighting setup for a shot
which lights one side of the face and leaves the other side in shadow, other than the little amount
of light that will be reflected off the reflector, and it will also leave the back of the shot in
shadow.
A multi-camera production will need more lights like in this example where there are 3 giant
lights that flood the set with light to enable the main camera that captures the people and then the
3 special cameras for capturing the specific crafts that are shown on this kind of production. The
cameras that our providing the bird's eye view of what they're doing on the table require the high
amount of light to enable them to to be able to pick up all the details and because they are also
most likely digital cameras they will require more light than a traditional film camera.
Sound
When making your own single-camera production you might just decide to use the built-in audio
from the camera but this isn't good enough. To avoid using the built-in audio of a camera in a
single-camera production you will normally use a central or directional microphone normally
plugged into a form of external mics, sometimes a boom mic will be used as this allows for the
microphone to get nice and close to the action without being visible as its above shot and can
capture sometimes better quality audio than a directional mic, but using a boom mic or a
directional mic will need to operate with a pretty steady hand as often takes can take a few
minutes and the mic has to stay in an exact location or move with a character without ever being
seen on camera. An audio track will be started a few seconds before the actual video has been
started this enables the audio and video to be synced far more easily. Some sounds in films our
added during post-production with foley artists being employed to create the specific sound
effects that are needed for each film. In some productions, certain mics will be hidden away for
example in Citizen Kane they had them installed above the fake ceiling.
Sometimes a microphone is visible in a shoot this isn't normal but their our a few actions where
it is acceptable, for example, if the scene shows a report it would be strange if a form of
microphone wasn't visible in the shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq7q8u2YAAE
Editing
Each location in either a single or multi-camera production is filmed at the same time instead of
following the story as its shown on screen as this would increase the cost of the production and
wouldn't make any sense as you would have to go back and forward and would be constantly
setting up and tearing down sets. Live productions our often edited live as otherwise, it would be
a bit boring being stuck on the same angle, Live productions our almost always multi-camera as
this enables them to be mixed live (edited) for example The X Factor where there will be
different shots that focus on the audience to the contestants to the judges.
The X Factor auditions might not be edited live as they are pre-recorded so could be changed
afterwards but there is probably some form of live editing happening which is then touched up
before it goes out but the finals will all be mixed live as they are completely live. When filming
you capture a lot of footage that can then be hard to find when it comes to editing and this is why
shot logs our used as it makes it easy to identify certain clips and gives each shot a description
which enables the editor to pick the best one just by reading through the shot log.
Multi-camera productions will have far more wasted footage than a single camera production
this is simply because you have more than one camera rolling. The use of a single camera can
help continuity as its a very small proportion of a room that is in frame and is easy to look back
on if something needs to be filmed again, compared to a multi-camera where a whole room will
be captured so any retakes have to be put back to the exact start position. A multi-camera setup
will help you gain coverage a lot quicker as you get a lot of angles and shoot types caught at
once and not individually which is the case for a single camera.
The first 4 minutes of this video shows a selection of scenes that didn't make the cut of the final
film but are often included in the DVD release of the film as its extra content that otherwise
wouldn't have been seen, also in some of these scenes characters suits are not finished and this is
down to it being a visual effect and if they decided the shot wasn't going to be used there is no
point animating it.
Period drama
Period dramas are often filmed using a single camera, period dramas often have vast sets and
props and costumes to really draw the audience in this is why a single camera works well as it
also enables them to light the piece in a way that makes it look like any given time frame.
Poldark for example where it is mostly set outside on the coast and this means that because of the
weather it would be harder to have many more than one camera and all the other shooting
equipment setup as it would take time to dismantle and could cause damages, also using a single
camera means that it can be placed in more places that are smaller like small paths or small
building. They also always have a very cinematic feel as a lot of work goes into costumes and
locations which all adds to a cinematic feel.
Crime Drama
Crime dramas use a single camera for most of the same reasons as a period drama but for an
instant, Sherlock which uses a single camera has long tracking shots where it follows a character
around and this wouldn't be possible if they were using multiple cameras. These also often look
very cinematic this is down to being able to change lighting because of it only being a single
camera.
Horror
Single cameras our used in horrors to create a sense of reality, which helps the scare's become
more realist and unpredictable. It also helps the lighting as you can create more dramatic lighting
that helps portray a more dark effect or a creepy feel that helps engage the viewer. Using a single
camera in a horror can also help an actor get into character as they just have to avoid looking at
that one area and it also confines the audiences view meaning that there is less chance of the
audience knowing when the next scare is coming from. Horror is the place where the deployment
of a single camera can shine as you are lighting for one camera you only have to position one
camera which means the possibilities are endless and glorious effects can be created to suit the
kind of horror film you are going for. One of the main lighting techniques in Horror is called the
chiaroscuro which is just harsh lights, this kind of lighting isn't possible in a multi-camera as
everything has to be lit so much more.
and demanding shoots will use more than one camera due to it being easier to get a good shot
without the risk of messing up or a continuity error if it was tried again, as it would be incredibly
time absorbing to re set up a set after it had been trashed for example in 'Citizen Kane' (Citizen
Kane room trash Susan Alexander). Many directors will favour using a single camera as they
gain more control over what the camera actually does, and often allows them to get into almost
any shooting location. In single-camera productions, scenes will be recorded multiple times
across multiple takes from a few different angles. Single-camera and multi-camera productions
might not be much difference in pricing when using film stock as either way you will be using a
lot on film which costs a lot but with the move to more digital storage methods using a single
camera or multi-camera production a lot more affordable. 'While the "single-camera" label is a
misnomer — such shows often use more than one single camera — the key element is that the
show is shot much more like a film, without a live audience.' (https://screencraft.org/2016/06/21/differences-single-camera-multi-camera-tv-pilot-scripts/)
Lighting
When making a single camera production lighting is more simple compared to a multi-camera,
as you can individually light each shot because it only needs to look good in one camera
compared to 4 cameras where each cameras lighting has to look the same. Lighting for a single
camera is time-consuming as each individual shot has to have a different lighting setup meaning
the movement of all the lights to keep the shots consistent but this does enable for an overall
more stylistic effect. When lighting for a single camera production you won't need quite as much
light, this can help give it a more realistic feel rather than a flat feel that the lighting for a multi-
camera can sometimes emit. Lighting a single camera production can enable for a style to be
implemented by the filmmaker. This lighting setup would be fairly basic lighting setup for a shot
which lights one side of the face and leaves the other side in shadow, other than the little amount
of light that will be reflected off the reflector, and it will also leave the back of the shot in
shadow.
 |
| These two images both show a multi-camera production with one or two cameras point at the presenters and at least another two above the table creating a bird's eye view. The amount of cameras is the reason why the shots need to be well lit, in these cases three strong key lights illuminate the shoot with minimal shadows being left, this done to make sure each shoot looks the same no matter what camera we are looking down. |
 |
| This is a lighting setup for a single camera production, it is only using one light in this example this will be down to the style of shoot a director wants with plenty of shadows and tones being cast over sections of the subjects face and background. |
A multi-camera production will need more lights like in this example where there are 3 giant
lights that flood the set with light to enable the main camera that captures the people and then the
3 special cameras for capturing the specific crafts that are shown on this kind of production. The
cameras that our providing the bird's eye view of what they're doing on the table require the high
amount of light to enable them to to be able to pick up all the details and because they are also
most likely digital cameras they will require more light than a traditional film camera.
Sound
When making your own single-camera production you might just decide to use the built-in audio
from the camera but this isn't good enough. To avoid using the built-in audio of a camera in a
single-camera production you will normally use a central or directional microphone normally
plugged into a form of external mics, sometimes a boom mic will be used as this allows for the
microphone to get nice and close to the action without being visible as its above shot and can
capture sometimes better quality audio than a directional mic, but using a boom mic or a
directional mic will need to operate with a pretty steady hand as often takes can take a few
minutes and the mic has to stay in an exact location or move with a character without ever being
seen on camera. An audio track will be started a few seconds before the actual video has been
started this enables the audio and video to be synced far more easily. Some sounds in films our
added during post-production with foley artists being employed to create the specific sound
effects that are needed for each film. In some productions, certain mics will be hidden away for
example in Citizen Kane they had them installed above the fake ceiling.
 |
| In this shot, we see the fake ceilings that were used in Citizen Kane. the ceilings look solid but are actually made of cloth making it easy for lighting and microphones to be hidden away. |
 |
| Boom mic and operator. |
 |
| An external microphone. |
it is acceptable, for example, if the scene shows a report it would be strange if a form of
microphone wasn't visible in the shot.
 |
| Horns (2013) Daniel Radcliffe, the scene with the reporters |
Editing
Each location in either a single or multi-camera production is filmed at the same time instead of
following the story as its shown on screen as this would increase the cost of the production and
wouldn't make any sense as you would have to go back and forward and would be constantly
setting up and tearing down sets. Live productions our often edited live as otherwise, it would be
a bit boring being stuck on the same angle, Live productions our almost always multi-camera as
this enables them to be mixed live (edited) for example The X Factor where there will be
different shots that focus on the audience to the contestants to the judges.
The X Factor auditions might not be edited live as they are pre-recorded so could be changed
afterwards but there is probably some form of live editing happening which is then touched up
before it goes out but the finals will all be mixed live as they are completely live. When filming
you capture a lot of footage that can then be hard to find when it comes to editing and this is why
shot logs our used as it makes it easy to identify certain clips and gives each shot a description
which enables the editor to pick the best one just by reading through the shot log.
Multi-camera productions will have far more wasted footage than a single camera production
this is simply because you have more than one camera rolling. The use of a single camera can
help continuity as its a very small proportion of a room that is in frame and is easy to look back
on if something needs to be filmed again, compared to a multi-camera where a whole room will
be captured so any retakes have to be put back to the exact start position. A multi-camera setup
will help you gain coverage a lot quicker as you get a lot of angles and shoot types caught at
once and not individually which is the case for a single camera.
The first 4 minutes of this video shows a selection of scenes that didn't make the cut of the final
film but are often included in the DVD release of the film as its extra content that otherwise
wouldn't have been seen, also in some of these scenes characters suits are not finished and this is
down to it being a visual effect and if they decided the shot wasn't going to be used there is no
point animating it.
Single camera genres
Period drama
Period dramas are often filmed using a single camera, period dramas often have vast sets and
props and costumes to really draw the audience in this is why a single camera works well as it
also enables them to light the piece in a way that makes it look like any given time frame.
Poldark for example where it is mostly set outside on the coast and this means that because of the
weather it would be harder to have many more than one camera and all the other shooting
equipment setup as it would take time to dismantle and could cause damages, also using a single
camera means that it can be placed in more places that are smaller like small paths or small
building. They also always have a very cinematic feel as a lot of work goes into costumes and
locations which all adds to a cinematic feel.
Crime Drama
Crime dramas use a single camera for most of the same reasons as a period drama but for an
instant, Sherlock which uses a single camera has long tracking shots where it follows a character
around and this wouldn't be possible if they were using multiple cameras. These also often look
very cinematic this is down to being able to change lighting because of it only being a single
camera.
Horror
Single cameras our used in horrors to create a sense of reality, which helps the scare's become
more realist and unpredictable. It also helps the lighting as you can create more dramatic lighting
that helps portray a more dark effect or a creepy feel that helps engage the viewer. Using a single
camera in a horror can also help an actor get into character as they just have to avoid looking at
that one area and it also confines the audiences view meaning that there is less chance of the
audience knowing when the next scare is coming from. Horror is the place where the deployment
of a single camera can shine as you are lighting for one camera you only have to position one
camera which means the possibilities are endless and glorious effects can be created to suit the
kind of horror film you are going for. One of the main lighting techniques in Horror is called the
chiaroscuro which is just harsh lights, this kind of lighting isn't possible in a multi-camera as
everything has to be lit so much more.
Comedy
If a comedy is filmed in a studio with a live audience behind the camera like Friends or Mrs
brown boys then you get instant laughter and it can feel more like a live show and because of the
feel, they try to create when they make it live they use a multi-camera setup as then the live
audience isn't distracted by a cameraman constantly walking around, you can see in the studios
that most rooms that are shown are from the same angle as the camera is fixed in position and
will probably just pan if needed but sometimes a hand-held camera will be used to create an
effect.
Soap opera
Majority of soap operas our filmed using multi-camera techniques because of the speed they
pump out episodes. Eastenders airs 4 times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) So
they need to complete each take in as little takes as possible so that they can get a whole episode
produced and released on time. Some of the indoor shoots might be using only a single camera
due to the small spaces that some of the rooms have.
The set of Eastenders is set up constantly, as it needs to have a feel of reality.
Multi-camera techniques, Eastenders currently is shot in HD as they do not want people to
realise that the set isn't very modern as it was first built in 1984 and was supposed to be used for
only 3 years but Soon a new set that will look the same will be finished and will enable them to
film in HD. Certain shots will be filmed out of the set and for those shots, a single camera is
probably used as it does not enable much setup, in soups every little decision is down to get the
production time down to a minimum due to them airing four, 30 minute episodes a week.
Soaps come under the serial format as they do not have a set end date and have multiple episodes
airing each week this is why filming speed but also they have to be edited quickly this can be
done through a form of live editing but in the case of a soap that doesn't come live this will be
doe after filming and is most likely the part that takes the longest, this is why soaps can be up to
6 months ahead in filming on certain scenes.
Formats
 |
| Series on netflix |
Depending on what a series is showing some will be single camera and others will be multi-
camera, as when you are making a series you are making a set number of episodes this enables
more time to be spent on each shoot and really refining down certain things. Things like Game of
Thrones our series as they ran for a set number of episodes over 8 different seasons/series.
Things like Game of Thrones will use multiple cameras for most of its shots down to the high
action that is captured in most of its shoots. Whereas something like Sherlock which is shoot
using mainly one camera due to the constant fast-paced nature and travelling around multiple
areas it's easier for them to use a single camera setup.
 |
| British Soaps |
A serial is a show that doesn't have a set end date, so it will run until it is cancelled. Soup operas
our a good example for this as they run for a week in week out and only aren't shown if a
sporting event is on. Most serials will use Multi-camera techniques as when you're showing a
minimum of 4 episodes a week then speed is everything so you can't be held up by having to use
one camera to film the same scene multiple times.
 |
| The Cyberbully |
Single Dramas are often short and will be only one episode with a single story and these will
mostly use single-camera production, as this enables them to use any locations and leaves them
with no limits
If I had a choice in choosing what either single camera or multi-camera, I think that I would pick
single camera as I think that it opens up a lot of opportunities like more movement and also
greatly increases the number of creative ways the film can be filmed which overall would give a
film a better look.
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