Multi-Camera Techniques

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

About the Multi Camera technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1pYlJkukA

History of the Multi-camera setup

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-time dramas 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.