Unit 22: Multi-Camera Techniques

TASK 1

The multi camera technique, is a form of filming television programmes or films, where on the same scene or set, there are more than one cameras in operation film the same ordifferent parts of the scene. There are a veriety of different programmes which opt for this form of filming rather than the single camera technique. For example, talk shows such as The jeremy Kyle Show or Friday night with Jonathan Ross uses the multi camera technique. Within these shows, not only do they producers have cameras directed at the guests and hosts, but they also have cameras pointed at the audience. This allows the audience recactions to be shown in there true forms, increasing the sense of realism and make the viewers feel as if they're part of the set. Other programes which use the multi camera technique are those which are filmed live , this includes sporting events such as football games or even live music. The primary reason for using this technique in these events is due to the fact that if the audience watche the whole event from one shot, then they would lose interest. So the multi camera technique keeps the audience anchored. Another good thing about this technique is the fact that each camera can be at a different angle, for example one could be a long shot to convey the overall scene, where as another could be an extreme close up to cature facial expressions.





Info: Wikipedia

Below is a typical set out for a multi camerad talk show:

As we can see, camera is specifically being used to film the host, whereas camera 3 is specifically being used to film the guest. Theis means that the person incharge of selecting the shots to be shown, can continuosly swithch between the two cameras to so the audience can see what both the hosts and guests are doing. Camera 2 however is a longshot, and is filming both the host and guests, this will allow the viewers at home to feel as part of the audience and will vary the effect of the programe to avoid continuosly switching between the same two shots. It would also be typical to see a 4th camera if the programme was fimed infront of a live audince to gain their reactions as well. The shots here would range from filming the whole audience from a long shot to an individual person with a close up.

TASK 2

In the clip of Lamar singing, there are a veriety of different shots used all to good effect, for example the opening shot immediately fades to an extreme facial close up, shots such as this one may be very popular with som audiences, as the singer will keep fans anchored into the show, and in mny cases they re a star vehichle, increasing the popularity of the programme just because of their apperance. Over shots used include the typical long shots and panning shots, by using these, the audience gets a wider picture of the actual scen, and considering the uses and gratification theory, will create diversion from there current lives and make them feel part of the audience seeing what you would expect the actual live audience to see. The transitions within this clip consist of the single effect of fading too and from each of the different shot, and when considering the spped of the transitions aswell as the peed of the camera movement, these are all used for the exact same reason, to suit the pace of the song. The song is veryslow paced, thereofre using abrupt fading, or even direct cuts to and from each shots aswell as speedy camera movement or zooming, then it wouldn't suit the pace of the song whatsoever. Therefore by using these simple but effective slow paced camera movements and trnsitions, the miseenscen can be established extremely well.

In the blue peter Grease scene, the shot we are firstly presented with is postioned directly at the presenter, by having this mid shot directly looking at him, it adds to the diversion and surveillance effect within the uses and gratification theory, as if he is actually having a conversation with us as the viewer and informing us about tthe scene coming up. When the scene begins, there is a panning down shot of the the wole set, this allows the audience to see the whole picture and feel which is trying to be created, there are then two cameras which long hots are positioned between the group of men and the group of woman. By doing this a signifier is created to convey the fact that the location of these two groups are infact in different places rather than on the same stage creating this sense of effective anti-realism. Aother effective shot which are used when filming both groups, is the shot which beginsed focused with the close up of the two main charectars, and the zooms out to film the rest of the group. By doing this, audience can establish the main charectars, and possibly the scenes hero and damsil and distress, before being introduced to the supporting cast. Unlike the previous clip of Lamar, the camera movemnts and transitions are much more abrupt, to begin with however they are fairly slow, to suite the pace of the song and justifying the secen, however as soon as the musical bet and singing speeds up, so does that of the transitions and effect, and by doing this the scenes tempo is increased, and due to the ever changing montage like effect of clips, ythe audience is continuosly anchored in.


Task 2 cont. . .

In the formula one clip, the main meaning is to basically inform viewers of the sport. This is done to great effect using the voice over. The deep voice as well as the music bed used within the opening introduction conveys it's meaning by having a fairy serious mode of address. The fact that all of the opening shots a in black and white, and dark, creates a rather film noir effect. However although this formal and serious mode of address is created, the shots used which insome cases seem to serven no purose to the actual meaning, create a sense of anti realism, distracting viewers, grabbing their attention and keeping them anchore into the programme. The programme is obviously aimed at those who enjoy the sport, and have a keen interst in cars, this is the main justification behind the content of which the narrative speaks. However the short clip of Lewis hamilton is used within the introuction, as the will be an immediate signifier of the sport meaning if anyone saw this clip familiar with the atlete, then they would instantly know the purpose of this clip. However lewis hamilton will also be used as a star vehicle, having a hudge fan base, and by seeing this clip, views are more likely to keep watching than if there would have been no shot of him whatsoever. Finally many of the opening shots are close ups, and as a result, the audience is given a strong desire to keep wathin as not much is being given away up until the poin where the music, and transition speed increases due to the sudden change in pace with the much quicker music bed juxtaposed against the shots.

In the match of the day clip, the main purpose is to inform viewers of the results of the football. Obviously the primary target audience here will be football fans all over the world. To inform viewrsin many ways through the surveillance factor when considering the uses and gratification theory, there are the tables featuring the results, juxtaposed the premiere league trophey, signifying the fact that these results are obviously for that specific trophey. There is the voice juxtaposed againt the results which i fel is a very good way of acheiving its purpose, as the viewes will no longer be distracted by anyone one on the programe, instead they can look and listen directly at the scores and remained acnhored, also in a sense of diversion away from eveything else. The main part of this clip comes when there is the montage of the different games which have taken place within the seaon, this montage is created using the original clips and commentary from the games, then combined, this is juxtaposed against the action like musical bed. By doing this, a serious amount of tention is created keeping a veriety of primary, secondary and niche audiences anchored to the programme, there are purposely quick transitions within this clip, and by doing so the sheer pace of the shots and the atmosphere created matches that of the tension created by the musical bed. The panning round of the trophy at the start of this montage is obviously nother signifyer which connotes the relevance of the up coming clip, and the faded in shots of the four managers around this trophey is a signifyer that these were the four main contenders for this prize.

TASK 3

Below is the mind map of all the initial ideas which our group has come up with when considering the different content to place within our own multi camera programme.

TASK 4

Bleow is a list of all the different peices of equiptment we will ee using within this programme, some of the key features and how many peicies of each individal modal we will be using.

TASK 5

Below is the shooting script for our multi camera programme, within it is estemated time for each shot or clip, what the cameras will be doing, what the two hosts will be doing and what the content will be.

TASK 6

below is the risk assesment for the actual multi camera drama it'self

TASK 7

MULTI CAMERA DRAMA

TASK 8

Unit 22 evaluation

The purpose I feel was achieved within this production, as we hosted a live multi camera television programme, which was the main goal of this unit.

Audience

We showed our multi camera programme in front of a live audience, there were some fairly negative comments for the following reasons: The camera shots didn’t work extremely well, and the order in which they cut to each other were fairly unsuccessful because sometimes they focused on the wrong person when the other host was talking, then when the content of the actual programme was played, it cut back to the hosts too early so that not all of the clip was actually played.

Representation issues

There was a fairly positive message shown within this programme, particularly in the idea that this was a television programme created by the actual students of the school, however the issue we did have was that although there was a mixed gender within the program, there wasn’t much ethnic variation in terms of the hosting however in some of the contents of the clips, there was some ethnic variation. The opening music bed suited the show as it holds great relevance to the programme and it’s identity, however because the show was much like a news programme, there was no need for a musical bed when the hosts were talking. Obviously the location was suitable as it was filmed in a studio, which could then be broadcast live. The language was fairly suitable for the target audience, primarily because of the fact that the two hosts were both at the same age group as the primary audience, and as a result, by talking as they would usually, the hosts would be able to relate to the audience.

Technical issues

There were was a number of technical issues within this program, the main issue cam from the actual broadcasting room where the group members had to chose which shots to be shown live, and because of several mix ups, several wrong shots were selected at inappropriate times. The microphone levels could have been better, as there was only one microphone between two hosts, therefore every now and again the hosts would not be heard very clearly, plus every now and again the voices were cut off before they should have been, this seriously reduced the quality of our piece. There was a lot of variety however within the show, which came from the varied content, which made up the live show, this included the game show “the name game” which increased the idea of viewer interactivity. We didn’t use any titles in this production, and In terms of the editing, because every thing was being shown live, the main form of editing came through the form of timing, and as already mentioned, this timings could have been much better.

Narratives

I feel that more professional programmes like the idea of the television show have serious advantage over us, and although the equipment we have is fairly sufficient, we didn’t have the most time and preparation to remove all possible issues, as well as this I think that professional live shows will have more effective communication between the cameramen and the vision mixers. In terms of narrative we only really had and equilibrium with the start of the show and then the resolution with the ending, not much of a disruption was present.

Own performance

Didn’t really learn any new skills within this production, the reason for this was because I was a host rather than using the equipment, so really if anything, the only skill I did develop was my hosting skills. As strength I saw myself as a strong team member who gave very efficient contributions in terms of the pre production stages. As a weakness however, I feel that perhaps I may have spoke too much rather than let the other host have some dialogue time, despite the fact we were sticking to a script. I didn’t argue in this group and as I result I feel we worked responsibly and effectively.

If I was to do this unit again, then when we actually made the production I think that I would have rather used a piece of equipment rather than host, as I see it as a much more interesting and challenging contribution to the group.