Game shows are always filmed in a multi-camera studio. The main advantage for this program format is that three-four half hour shows can be produced in one day. As the production team need to produce a lot of programs in a short period of time this technique is almost essential, also many things that happen in game shows only happen once so it is important to capture many shots from different angles so the editing process is easier.
"Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is
Reality shows also use this technique, however in some reality shows there are no camera operators as it would destroy the realism of the programme and would make contestants feel uncomfortable to express themselves. The whole idea of a reality show is that the contestants start to feel at home and forget the cameras are there which is why the cameras are hidden or placed discreetly around the accommodation. Surrounding the scene, the cameras capture the main action which is then briefly edited and broadcasted to the public.
Big brother is a very popular reality show that uses the Multi-camera technique because again it is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to record and broadcast the action in a short period of time.
"Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash prize by avoiding periodic evictions from the house." For more info click here (Source)
Below is an example of one of the live evictions:
This is a good example of the show my production team will be making as it includes a host,VTs and recorded footage.
Regular daily soap operas use the Multi Camera technique because many scenes can be captured from a range of angles. When editing the footage the production team are able to choose the best angles, enhance the lighting and choose the right contrast which will make the soap look more realistic, (according to the scene) and create an atmosphere. This technique is very convenient as the action is to be shown shortly after being shot to maintain the consistency of the soap.
Eastenders is one the most popular soaps with the British public. The 2010 special; 'Who killed Archie' scenario was one of Eastenders' memorable episodes; the multi camera technique was used, and it was live!! I thought the production team and actors did amazingly well. They did show a behind the scenes episode where they explained the minor mistakes made, but you would never know!
Take a look at the clips below:
This clip shows how the multi-camera technique can show reactions effectively.
This is clearly a well rehearsed scene, the rapid change to stunt double
and the suicide are very hard things to pull off live. A well done is well deserved :)
I found this production to be unique as several actors
thought they killed Archie. Whilst the main action was being filmed, possible endings were also being filmed, it wasn't until the actors watched it back that they knew who actually killed Archie!
The multi-camera method used for filmmaking and video production involves two or more cameras running simultaneously from start to finish with no interruptions. This method is used to record many program formats such as talk shows, concerts, soap operas, sports events and many more.
Cameras on the set carry out instructions from the director. Below is an example of a multi-camera setup:
Cameras A and B are used to shoot close up shots to concentrate on the two most active characters on the set.
The central cameras are used to shoot a wider shot capturing all the action in the room. Not all TV productions use this exact layout but the cameras are set out similar to receive the same results.
Many programs watched today use the multi-camera technique because it is a very quick and efficient way of capturing multiple shots in one take rather then starting and stopping the action. Picture from: wikipedia.org
Going back to earliest days of television, only three cameras were used by the BBC to broadcast the first drama performed on television “The Queens Messenger” (1928). Building of the success of the drama the BBC then went on to use the multi-camera setup from 1936 onward.
The multi camera technique became very popular in 1951 as many well known shows including “I Love Lucy” and comedy show on CBS “The Amos ‘N Andy show” used it.
The technique was then developed for television in Hollywood by Jerry Fairbanks. The technique was first seen in Hollywood in the series “The Silver Theater” which was also a CBS program broadcasted in February 1950.
In 1970, Gary Marshall developed the Multi –camera technique further by adding a forth camera to the multi camera set-up for his series ‘Mock and Mindy’ starring actor Robin Williams. Because of the success Mock and Mindy many productions also used four cameras, now having four cameras for a multi-camera setup is normal.
Most of British sitcoms and dramas from the 1950s to the 1990s were made using four cameras and were broadcast live. As technology developed, some drama productions were mounted on location using multiple electronic cameras. Meanwhile, the most prestigious productions, like 'Brideshead Revised'‘(1981), began to use film alone. By the later 1990s, soap operas were left as the only TV drama being made in the UK using multiple cameras. Television prime-timedramas are usually shot using a single -camera setup.
Advantages of single camera production
1.Cheaper: less camera operators are needed
2.Simple: when using the Multi-camera technique it can be difficult to place cameras where lighting won’t affect the shot.
3.Convenient: if an actor is ill and can’t make it to work this will not slow down the production process. For example if the scene involves an exchange of dialogue between two people the scene can still be shot without both characters present at the same time.
4.Realistic: The lighting and sound can be edited in every shot it therefor makes everything look more realistic.
Although there are advantages of the single camera setup, they are only beneficial to program formats that don’t need to be broadcasted soon after being filmed. Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of the multi-camera technique:
Advantages of Multi-camera production
1. Quick: Scenes may be shot far more quickly as there is no need for re-lighting and the set-up of alternate camera angles for the scene to be shot again from the different angle.
2. Efficient: This technique saves editing time as it reduces the complexity of tracking continuity issues that crop up when the scene is reshot from the different angles.
3. Consistent: Keeps up consistency of soaps/ live broadcasted programs
Disadvantages of Multi-camera production
Issue with lighting: there is less optimized lighting which needs to provide a compromise for all camera angles.
Lack of flexibility: It can get complicated when trying to hide equipment from the other cameras, there is also less flexibility in putting the necessary equipment on scene such as microphone booms and lighting rigs.
More expensive: A bigger production team is needed.
There we have it the advantages and disadvantages are clear for both single camera and Multi-camera setups, but who’s to say which one is better? They are both useful to different program formats, I wouldn’t say ones better then the other. I have concluded they are just two different techniques with a similar outcome.
