multi camera essay

Multi Camera production formats TASK ONE


Multi camera productions are live performed shows which record within a studio using 3-4 cameras to capture the actors. Some of the first shows ever recorded used the multi camera technique and it is still frequently used today. Multi camera shows are mainly used for TV shows that contain a significant amount of episodes within a series, this is because multi camera productions are a much quicker and more efficient way of recording compared to single camera. They are more useful if a show has a tight deadline or has a higher demand. Examples are shows like Eastenders and Coronation Street which are soap operas and have 4 shows broadcast every week therefore they extremely high demand for shows. Attempting to produce this using single camera would take at least twice as long and therefore the schedule of 4 shows a week most probably wouldn’t be met.

Examples of shows that are famous for using the multi camera formats are
Mork&Mindy which was the first show to use 4 cameras on set instead of the usual 3, this was because of actor Robin Williams dramatic fast moving performance in which 3 cameras weren’t enough to capture him in shot. The second is The Tonight show with Jay Lenno- this is an ongoing chat show in which presenter Jay Lenno interviews famous people it is one of the most tuned into shows in America.

The difference between single and multi camera are quite evident. single camera shows are used mainly on more high budget projects and have a very in depth post production stage as all shots taken in single camera are require to be fully edited once filmed this makes the process a lot more time consuming and therefore requires a larger group of filmmakers at different stages of products. The end result is usually more of a professional standard than multi camera as more time and detail will have been added. Multi camera shows are used when a show requires a speedier production and performs a lot of aspects of post production during filming which speeds up the production extensively. During filming a multi camera there is a vision mixer who cuts between shots as the performance is taking place, compared to doing so once the shots have been recorded. This saves going through footage and choosing which to use in a scene as you would in a single camera production. the end result means shows are produced more quickly and the acting seems more fluid as it is filmed live.

Chat shows are known for using the multi camera setup and for good reason, they follow a similar set of codes and conventions. Chat shows follow a simple yet affective plan for each show mainly filmed in front of a studio audience who are filmed clapping and laughing as the show progresses, the presenter will walk to a center camera and address the audience about what they will expect to see through the show. for example the Jonathan Ross show will begin with this format but will include clips for new bulletins or other popular media happens and use it as a jumping off point to start a small discussion as part of a comedy act. When a guest is brought out there is a transition between cameras which usual have one facing the presenter, one on the guest who could walk in and sit down and one on the audience to capture their reaction.








Multi camera productions are also used frequently to film quiz shows, the multiple camera setup acts much like it would in a chat show with one camera primarily faced at the quests and two more on the presenter and audience. Two shows that are known for slightly changing this format are Never Mind the Buzzcocks which is a comedy panel quiz show and the weakest link which is a general knowledge quiz show. Never mind the Buzzcocks has one guest presenter along with 4 guest comedians or musicians there are two regular panelists. The camera work is very dynamic as there are people on both sides of the set which must be captured, furthermore there are in show games which bring out more guests to stand before the panels this requires a camera to move position completely in order to capture all the guests as well as the panels.
the show is known for bringing on celebrity guests who move around a lot during the show and get out of their seats this means the cameramen have a harder job capturing the whole show and keeping it seeming intentional because sometimes they have to improvise shots. 



The weakest link on the other hand is much more static show with a very different layout to most other quiz shows, there is a presenter in the center of the stage and a number of guests surrounding them. This means the cameras have to almost film the stage 360 degrees around. The lighting is very specific and is used effectively to hid camera peering into shot. There for the weakest link is a much more complicated technical achievement than Never Mind The Buzzcocks. The show also begins with all the guests in place there is no introduction in which guests arrive onto the set this is similar to Never Mind The Buzzcocks. The Weakest Link has a regular presenter whereas never mind the Buzzcocks has a guest presenter every show.







The weakest link starts with all of its contestants in a common room talking whilst music is played over. This is presumably made to seem as if it is back stage. The cameras cut between the contestants as they prepare to take part in the show. The title sequence then starts to roll which will be pre made for the show. once the title sequence is over there is a static mid shot of the presenter Anne Robinson who appears on the screen explaining the premise of the show, the camera then zooms out to reveal a dark set which is lit in the center where the presenter is stood with all contestants in place the camera zooms even further back and looks down on the set. Then the vision mixer cuts too another camera on the floor which crabs from the left to the right as Anne Robinson further explains the show she follows the camera as it goes. There is a light facing towards the ceiling behind each contestant, who can be seen behind the presenter as the camera crabs. There is then a cut to the camera looking down on the set as the lights all dip and go out momentarily. There is then a mid shot of the first contestant who is dramatically and suddenly lit from behind, the camera sharply pans to the left to reveal each contestant in the same ways who all introduce themselves. There is then a quick change to another camera which is on a close up of the presenter, then a swift change to another camera which is crabbing around the set to capture everything

Andrew Sharp