Single Camera Report (Ms Allen)

Single Camera Report

A single camera production is where the use of a single camera is used to produce a short video production. Each shot within this type of production is taken individually to make up a scene.

The diagram above is an example of how the set-up for a single camera production looks. When looking at the setup of a single camera production knowing about the 180 degree rule is essential, the 180 degree rule states that two characters in a scene must maintain their position whether left or right as well as the camera. An example of this would be, if a scene is being shot over characters A’s left shoulder, the next scene that will be shot over character B’s shoulder should also be on the left side. The reason why this is done is to enable the audience to connect with unseen movement happening around or behind an object. Above is an example of this.

Another, technique used in single camera production is match on action. Match on action is an editing technique whereby the shot is cut at one point of the action and then matched at another point. For example, capturing the shot of someone opening the door for behind and cutting the shot when his/her hand is one the door handle, and then matching that action by capturing the actor opening the door and walking out. This is used to capture any facial expressions that may be made during the action is being carried out, as well as the body language of the actor.

Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages that can be analysed within the single camera production. One of the advantages of single camera production is that the time it takes to set up is much faster. Unlike the multi-camera production, setting up in a single camera production is much easier. This is effective because the amount of time saved on setting up is consumed through the shooting time, meaning more shooting time. However, this is not always the case as a disadvantage of a single camera production can also be the consumption of time. Where the multi-camera production catches different angles and shots simultaneously, the single camera production does not, therefore the time is not used effectively as the camera must be moved constantly to capture the different shots and angles. This means that scenes must be repeated several times putting pressure on the actors. This is why sitcoms usually use multi-camera techniques.

Moreover, the amount of people you have to employ is minimal within the single camera production, this means that you have more money to spend on other areas such as contingency, props etc. On the other hand the downfall of single camera productions is that if the camera happens to break there is a possibility that all the footage captured will be lost as it has not been captured by other cameras.

The single camera production has five different formats which are: Series, Serial, Single drama, Short film and franchise. Series Is where a set of sequential episodes are put together to create a season, this can consist of about 8-12 episodes. An example of this would be 90210 which consists of 24 episodes in season 1. All series follow a similar structure, for example in 90210 season 1: episode 2 it begins with a preview of the previous episode. The clips shown in the preview are usually, the highlights of the previous episode helping the viewer to understand the current episode. The lead characters are instantly introduced as a family and are shown in the dining room as a family that does not spend quality time together. Other characters such as Naveed, Silver, Dixon and Ethan are also introduced.

Five minutes after this has been shown, the opening sequence/title begins, showing where the series is based and the types of people to expect when watching the show. Throughout the programme broken homes, dates, family life and teenage life is projected through all the main characters, for example when the parents of the first family introduced demands family time on Fridays. Multi-strand narratives are developed through the characters.

By the end of the episode the setting is back to where everything had started showing the result of the problem before hand had been resolved.

EastEnders is a British serial programme that is shown Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The programme is usually shown on BBC one however, on the odd occasion it runs on BBC two depending on the circumstance. i.e.: a child awareness programme being shown at the same time. EastEnders is an ongoing programme that consists of different storylines that can last for as long as 4 months, these storylines usually fade in and out of each scheduled programme.

The programme starts with the traditional theme song and the map of the staged Walford. EastEnders does not begin with a recap of what has happened from the day before but rather continues from the previous events. Within this soap the camera shots are not shown to be first person shots but rather making sure that the main characters of that particular scene are included. Also, the majority of shots portrayed within the soap are full body shots. This is beneficial to the audience as it allows the facial expressions and body language to be presented, elaborating on the true emotions of that character.

Within one episode in Eastenders there can sometimes be multiple narratives shown through the characters . In one episode there was the storyline of Ben being kidnapped by his ex-partners killers and then Grant being unaware of Mark Fowler being his son. This shows that more time soap operas are more diverse than serial programmes. Also EastEnders represents real time, therefore  when it is Christmas time, they are also celebrating the Christmas as wells when the lighting of the Olympic torch was happening.

Moreover, EastEnders is known for its ongoing cliff-hangers, therefore the ’douf douf douf’ at the end emphasises the cliffhanger leaving the audience in suspense for the next episode. When Ben had offered his Father Philip Mitchell his liver, the show ended on that cliffhanger. This soap represents the reality of how hard life can be for people, instead of showing that everyone in the show is rich, successful and famous.

Single camera production has different narrative structures. For example, Todorov theory,  the standard Hollywood narrative structure which consists of an equilibrium, disruption, Resolution and new equilibrium. When looking at the first season episode two of 90210 the equilibrium is projected through the characters in that episode. Then follows a disruption that may be affect one person or multiple people. Some disruptions can follow through into the next episode to create more of an effect on how serious the matter is. This can be projected through Silver's situation with her mother being a drunk which forces her to sleep at homeless shelters and other peoples houses.

After being confronted by Dixon and his family allowing Silver to sleep the night, she decides to thinks into her own hands and goes to see her mother. Leading to the resolution which is Silver moving in with her sister, after her confrontation with the mother leads to nowhere positive. The new equilibrium point is the seen when Silver is happily settled with her sister. This form of  Hollywood narrative could be described as linear.  

A non-linear narrative structure would mean that there could be more than one disruption or resolution. Using Empire as an example, throughout the whole season there are many disruptions and resolutions that lead to one whole disruption or resolution. Throughout season two we see cookie and luscious bonding and starting to re-build feelings for eachother, this could be classed as the resolution from the previous season. However, at the end of season two we see luscious marrying Aneka to keep him out of prison. This could be seen as one of the disruptions which may lead to many more.

Moreover, Levi Strauss had a theory which stated that every quality had an opposite, for example good/bad or handsome/ugly. Within the single camera production, binary opposites are projected through different mise-en-scene techniques one of which could be lighting. Using Power as an example, Ghost ( James St Patrick) is always seen in a dark environment which represents his dark background and his undercover personality.  Whereas Tasha who is Ghosts wife is seen in bright clothing such as white which shows that she is good hearted person that does not like to indulge in violence.

Character profiles includes the mainstream theme of having a hero, villain, helper or a distressed civilian. Taking The Amazing Spider Man as an example, the hero is of course spider man, and this is reinforced through the costume spider man wears which is a bright red colour, also the lighting that is projected upon him is lighter than that of the villain. The villain in the Amazing Spider man is Dr Curt Connors, who started out being a good person.However, after a scientific experiment changes him into a giant lizard he begins to cause destruction in the city. The majority of the settings in which Dr Connors is found in is dark and dirty which enhances his evil background.

Gwen Stacey is Benjamin Parker ( Spider-Man's) girlfriend and is the helper of spider man. This is projected through the her natural civilian look and the lighting being projected naturally, this could show that her intentions are pure and clean.