From the name “single camera set-up “you already know that it uses only one camera. All the camera angles and shots are taken by using the same camera and not by more than one camera. If a scene cuts back and forth between just only two actors, in a single camera then they will record all parts from the first actor ( 4,6,8) and also the second actor ( 3,5,7) then at the end when they are editing the can put all the correct shots in order. Furthermore, single-camera filming is usually not in order and later on they re-arrange it. On the same hand when a single camera is used they tend to forget the slightest things because there is allot to remember. For example in the film Top Gun, at first when both actors are hugging each over one actor has no sunglasses then suddenly when lifted up he has sunglasses on.
As it’s just one camera it gives the director/head more control and also makes it more accurate over each shot because its only using one camera however this will take more time because it’s just one camera and tends to be a bit more expensive then multi-camera.
There are many key features in a single camera set-up. For example you can move around allot more and not worrying about seeing other cameras this has a big advantage on many films, soap operas and some television series which use a “single camera”.
As you can see above there are 2 basic diagrams showing us the difference between a single camera shot and a multi camera shot. The first obvious clue is that in a multi camera shot you will use more the 1 camera.
In most cases the 2 cameras tend to shoot close up shots of the 2 actors on the set at any time while the other cameras get a clear shoot of the background and environment (establishing shot). This is very clever because multiple shots are done in 1 shot and you don’t need to start or stop. This is very helpful for programs that are to be shown a short time after being shot as it reduced the time spent film editing.
Near enough all of the shot in multi camera are about the same. Most commonly what happens in “multi camera set-up” is that one camera will be set just to focus on the whole set and the rest of the cameras will be set to focus on each character or they will be assign them to a part of the set so that none of the actions/ reactions are missed.
The great thing about multi camera set-up is that you can record a scene one and you wouldn’t need to worry that u missed anything out because the other cameras will be there like a back-up however in a single camera set-up there are possible errors which can occur such as objects being moved about or even if a actors hair is curly at one point then next point its straight, these are called careless mistakes and it’s the reason why a lot of TV shows use the 4th wall technique. (The fourth wall is a convention in the fiction medium which separates the action from the audience. By convention, the fourth wall is not mentioned or disturbed).
The advantages of using a single camera then to a multiple camera set-up would firstly you wouldn’t need to worry about any other camera getting into the shot because you only have one camera. On the same hand it is cheaper to use a single –camera set-up. With this producers who are working with a low budget tend to use single camera set as you will need only one camera. Also while having a camera you will need camera men which are more expense, so that’s why produces who are working with a low budget use a single camera set.
On the other hand if you use multi cameras you won’t have the same freedom as the single cameras because you wouldn’t want to see a camera in a program so you will have to take into consideration of where the other cameras are at the point. I feel the most disadvantage of single camera set-up is the time consuming and trying to cover all shots and angles, meaning repeating shots more than what a multi camera set-up will require. Multi camera set-ups are usually used in soaps this is because single camera set-ups are much more difficult to film conversations between actors and will be hard to see all their reactions at the same time.
Using a single camera set-up means you won’t take as long editing because all of the recorded scenes are on 1 camera so it will save time.
The best situation to use a multi camera set-up is when programs are live. For example the Jeremy Kyle show is played live and it would be very difficult to capture the audience reaction as well as the people on stage with one camera because you may miss what an audience said because the camera was aimed at Jeremy, so that’s when multi camera’s comes in, with multi cameras you will not miss anything and would not worry/ be confused about any props in the wrong place because all the cameras will have recorded it.
Below are a few types of programmes which use a single camera set-up. They use a single camera set because it saves them time and money:
The reason why a single camera set-up will not work for a news programme is because a single camera is not live shows/ programmes. You may miss a shot with a single camera and you wouldn’t be able to nothing about it because its live however with a multi – camera you can record several clips while live and you won’t miss any shots because you have more than just one camera.
