Unit 20 – Single Camera Techniques Learning Aim A
Introduction
A single camera technique is the use of one camera during the production process. Multiple takes are recorded in this way of filming due to there being only one camera involved as different angles are needed. The use of single camera techniques began in the 1910’s and this has continued to be used throughout the years in film and television.
The History of Single Camera Production
Single camera production came to light in Hollywood cinema in the 1910’s and has remained a very common way of filming in the industry. Comedies and sitcoms were usually filmed using multi camera techniques until the early 1970’s when the television show M*A*S*H was created. Following this, Happy Days was shot suing single camera in 1974 before making the switch to multi camera. After this, single camera was used more for dramas.
Advantages of Single Camera Techniques
A big advantage of single camera production is that it is cheaper. Using more than one camera is more expensive due to having to pay for more cameras and for extra cameramen to help out. Creating a film using single camera means less people need to be paid and less equipment needs to be used, resulting in it costing less. Another advantage of this production process is that the actors that are in the scene don’t necessarily need to be on set at the same time. For close ups of characters only one actor is needed. This means that if two characters are meant to be conversing on screen, the parts can be recorded on different days and edited together, adhering to the actors’ schedules. The next advantage is that the scenes do not have to be recorded in chronological order. This is a good thing because it also adheres to the actor’s schedules as some may not be available to film a certain scene at a certain time. It also means that if different scenes are set in the same location, they can all be shot on the same day depending on which actors are involved. There is also more control when recording using single camera. Each shot can be set up perfectly, with the lighting and sound controlled to enhance any details in the scene. Another advantage is the practicality of filming this way means the scenes can be shot in smaller spaces. With the use of only one camera there isn’t a limit on how much space can be used.
Disadvantages of Single Camera Techniques
One disadvantage of single camera techniques is that it takes a lot longer to record the project. Every scene requires multiple takes from different angles which also have to be set up, taking a while to get everything done. Another disadvantage is the risk of less real reactions from the actors. If they are not on set at the same time and are just speaking to the camera, they are not getting the reaction to their lines from their costar, making the scene less genuine. The repetition in single camera production is also a big disadvantage due to the scenes having to be recorded over again to get the perfect shot with the different actors, possibly on different days. Editing a single camera project can also be long and tiring. This is because there is a lot of footage that has to be selected and put together in the correct order so that the project flows.
Examples of Single Camera Techniques
Film
The Tourist (2010) is a film that uses single camera techniques. The genre of this film is a romantic thriller, made to entertain and excite an audience. In a clip from the movie titled “Burn This Letter”, This way of filming is used to make the scene look more dramatic. The clip begins with a close up of the character with a focused look in her face as she reads a letter. There is a voice over of her reading the letter aloud in this scene and the next shot is an over the shoulder shot of what is written. The focused look on the character’s face is then shown again in another close up but this time it is slowly panning around her. These shots are used to enhance the drama and intensity of what is in the letter. In this part of the scene she also appears to be very calm. The camera clearly showing her facial expressions adds suspense to the scene as it looks like she is not phased by the contents of the letter. Another over the shoulder shot takes place, this time showing the female character on a security camera. This shot allows the audience to know that she is being watched by someone, continuing to add to the thrilling impact the other shots have already displayed. This shot then pans around to a close up, revealing the character who is watching her. He looks very cautious and concerned, implying that the female character he is watching is either hiding or is up to something. These shots add some mystery to the scene as the male character seems curious to know what is in the letter. The camera then cuts back to the close up of the female character as she finishes reading. She has been told to burn the letter and by her facial expression she understands why. This part adds more suspense to the scene. The camera then cuts to another close up of the male character, looking more concerned. In this shot he mutters the line “it’s from him”, showing that he could know whats going on. The close ups to this point of the female character's face lead the male character to realise a part of what is happening. The next part that is shown is an over the shoulder shot of the female character burning the letter as she was told to in the contents of it. This highlights the importance of what is written and could possibly show the trust she has in the sender of it. Close ups of the security camera footage and the people watching her quickly follow behind. This shows the outcome of the female character reading and burning the letter, creating a thrilling impact.
Television Drama
True Blood (2008 – 2014) is a television show that uses single camera techniques. It is a drama series that similarly to the The Tourist, uses a lot of close ups to excite the audience. A clip from an episode in season 7 begins with a two shot of characters sitting in a car. The male character begins by talking about a plan, saying “if we’re going to go through with this plan, you’re going to have to take my blood”. During this line, the camera cuts to a close up of the female character so that her reaction can be seen. She looks concerned in this shot, creating a sense that she is thinking about what has been said before agreeing with him. The Next shot is a medium shot of the male character biting his wrist so that the female can take his blood. This shot doesn’t show the aftermath of his wrist after it has been bitten, adding a small element of mystery to the scene. The shots that follow go back and forth between a medium shot of the girl drinking his blood and an over the shoulder shot of the male. Quickly changing between these shots shows the importance of what the characters are doing. After this a close up of the male character is shown, allowing the audience to see his expression as she finishes taking his blood. It appears that he may be in pain but it also shows a sinister expression on his face. This can be interpreted as him as a scheming villain.
Sitcom
Modern Family (2009 – present) is an example of single camera production in a sitcom. In a clip titled “Lily’s Musical Taste”, the opening shot is a medium shot of Lily in a car, beginning to open up about her music taste to her fathers. This shot centres the character and the point she is trying to make, showing that the topic in discussion is important to her. The camera then cuts to a close up of one of her fathers, gaining a reaction to what she is saying. The close up shows the father’s reaction more clearly. The camera then goes back to a medium shot of Lily so that she can explain further. She goes on to say that she “[doesn’t] like Beyonce”. This immediately changes to a close up of the other father to gather his reaction as well. The camera is positioned in the way it is due to the car being a tight space. Due to this the camera can be set in a way to position all cameras within the shot. It can then be moved for close ups eliminating the other characters from the shot to help add to the scene. At the end of this scene, all three characters are in the frame. This will have been done to add the comedic effect due to the reactions of the fathers as Lily plays her music.
