Single camera production enables the filmmakers to utilise a wide range of features. This technique has advantages that allows filmmakers to sequentially capture footage, retake footage and achieve a cinematic look through meticulous planning and refining set up to create the most dynamic footage wanted. The filmmakers can use this technique to create dramatic camera angles combined with strategic lighting setups. Although technically this process can aid continuity maintenance, in reality this is quite a difficult area to keep the set the same due to many external influences. Although this technique does give the filmmakers more freedom when it comes to lighting and number of retakes that can be taken given a greater selection to use in the post production editing process. When filmmakers combine all these techniques they can create and deliver a captivating cinematic piece to convey their message in an inspiring and captivating way.
Composition
A key feature of single camera production is the ability to meticulously control the composition of the shots. 3x3 grids are used to create the cinematic look to place mise en scene. This helps to create balance within the frame, combining with depth of field and focal point of the subject. Depth of field is how far the subject is from the camera, the closer the subject is to the camera the narrower the number of options as to where it is placed within the frame. A range of focal points can emphasise different elements of a frame from close up to wide angle depending on the choice of the filmmaker.
Camera Movement
Single camera production frees the filmmaker to use creative camera angles and movements to enhance the dramatic element of the storyline they are creating. An example of this technique is the use of a track to enable the camera to follow a character moving through an environment like a forest or a street, this helps to create a sense of urgency putting the viewer in the situation to intensify their experience; another is the use of a crane to move from street level to birds eye view in a single movement which is also used to heighten dramatic tension and give the audience an overview of the whole situation to add information to their perception of the scene. Added to the above mentioned techniques other methods can be used alongside these to create even more dramatic effect for example use of titling, zooming and panning.
Camera Lighting
Lighting is a vital tool in the single camera technique, it allows the filmmaker to set the mood, tone, atmosphere, depth and highlight subjects. This single tool can create so many different effects, some examples being low-key lighting; it can create dramatic effects between shadows and light, it can enhance a mysterious atmosphere, create intrigue, suspense, tension and depth of emotion. Overall it is used to strengthen the audience's immersion into the storytellers world.
Continuity and Coverage
Continuity is vital to create a seamless transition for the audience to enter the world of the storyteller, if continuity is not kept it will create questions in the viewer's mind as to what they have missed in the changes, drawing them away from the narrative. Examples of continuity and the facial expression of actors and object positions within a scene. Coverage which is linked intrinsically to continuity is shooting images using different camera angles and different depth of field to create numerous options for the editing process. Continuity helps the filmmaker to keep eye line, facial expression and actions linked from shot to shot, allowing the audience to maintain the immersion into the scene.
Post Production Editing
Post Production Editing is essentially the filmmaker's final decision on how he wants his story to be viewed. This involves organising and assembling the footage to create a coherent story. One effective editing technique is match cuts, where the editor uses similar visual elements or actions to create consistency between shots or scenes, this gives the viewer a smooth transition from one shot to the next. A classic example of a match cut is the use of a door, where you see the character exiting one scene through a door and entering another scene through the apparent same door. Another example of an editing style is cross cutting or parallel editing, this is where a story cuts from two key elements to create tension and develop a link between two events to add anticipation to the conclusion of the sequence. Overall effective editing makes or breaks the success of the storytelling.
Sound
Use of sound; this is another tool for the filmmaker to further immerse the audience into the world of the story he is telling. This element will build tension, create poignancy, create emotional connection with characters and remove external distractions through the style and genre of the music. One of the most famous musical tension builders in the history of cinema is the low ominous repetitive two note theme, which slowly builds in speed and volume as the megalodon Jaws approaches.
Here are a few examples of single camera production genres; A Period Drama is a historical piece set in a particular era, with costumes, setting and props linked to the time period; Crime Drama is a genre based on murder with a hero element set to solve the case. Horror is a genre based on the stereotype of creepy slow tension building up to a jump element to scare the audience. These types of productions due to their nature lend themselves to single camera production which gives the filmmaker most control over the process.
The following examples are more likely to use multi camera techniques due to the speed in which episodes are turned out weekly for an extended period of time. Comedy, specifically filmed in a studio keeps static lighting which does not specifically add to the storyline just adding illumination. A Soap Opera which is based on real life is a continuous story which does not have a specific ending in sight and characters are written in and out as needed, due to the weekly production of episode multi camera filming is needed for speed. A Series generally has a set cast with individual stories which are concluded each episode so dipping in and out of these is possible for the audience with no loss of continuous storyline, these also due to weekly production and series length are recorded with multi camera to speed. A Serial is a long form tv drama, its story has a beginning, middle and end through the whole series, but there are smaller narratives within each episode and season. Therefore it is harder for an audience to jump in mid-way due to character development throughout the storyline. A Serial can be either single or multi camera depending on the budget and time constraints. A Single Drama is a single story told in one episode which has a beginning, middle and end, it is a stand alone and is to be viewed as such.
Multi Camera is the alternative to single camera production, this is a much faster technique and is most useful when filming live shows where action is not rehearsed but needs to be followed from different angles instantly to give the audience the best perspective. This technique involves multiple cameras set up in pre-arranged positions, which covers many angles. The director then will choose to switch from different camera positions as the live action progresses. This method is also used as previously mentioned in filming of Soap Operas and Sitcoms for fast turnaround of episodes.
In conclusion the advantages of using a single camera for filming can be summarised as giving the director more artistic licence in all areas, to itemise these is as follows; there is less film wastage as one one reel of film is used even if multiple takes are filmed. The lighting and set is arranged for each shot and the crew are not left hanging around to re-organise each time this is more time effective in man power, but less time effective in having to retake shots to obtain the best possible effect. The actors also have the benefit of being able to vary and develop their performance in multiple takes giving the director a wider scope during editing. The cost of the amount of equipment is also reduced as there is only one camera to buy, insure and maintain.
In contrast there are fewer disadvantages, but this can be a significant factor in the deciding process, when the genre of the filming is limited to a single technique, like soap opera which needs a fast turn around for the weekly episodes. This reasoning highlights the most key disadvantage of single camera filming which is time. The process is time consuming and therefore increases the budget, this involves needing actors and sets for longer time periods. Finally the continuity between shots can be difficult to maintain and without care in editing the overall production can appear a little disjointed.
