The document describes the cinematography of a scene from the sitcom Modern Family. It is filmed in a loose and amateur style with a single camera to capture the action quickly on a strict schedule. Reaction shots of the characters use mid and close up shots with deep depth of field. The characters sometimes break the fourth wall and talk to the camera, enhancing the reality TV feel of the show. Filming this way saves money for the producers while still catching all the important moments.

1. Sit Com

2. The scene starts with a mid shot which
moves out into a loose wide shot
showing Dylan climbing up the chimney
to complete his surprise. The lighting
used is very warm and complimentary on
all of the actors skin.
We then get a loose mid shot to show
both Haley and the feet of Dylan hanging
from the chimney.
We then get a reaction shot of Haley as
Dylan tells her he’s stuck this is done in a
mid shot with a deep depth of field
focusing on Haley and how she’s going to
react to this news.
As the rest of the family walks in we get
a shot of them to establish who has
walked in and who has now joined the
conversation.
We then get a wide shot as Haley tells
the family she’s pregnant getting both
her and Dylan’s feet in shot.
We then get reaction shots of her
parents to this news again in a loose mid
close up with a deep depth of field.

3. The way this video is shot is very loose and amateur looking as they have a strict schedule to stick to and the storyline to
the programme is quite light hearted and it is implied that the characters know that they are being film by them
breaking the forth wall at time and looking directly at the camera, also through out the shows they often have the
characters talk to the camera as if they are on a reality tv show. All of this links into the idea that the camera work could
be a bit sloppy as they are trying to catch everything in the moment as this is the real lives of the actors, and the
cameramen don’t want to miss any important action.
This all again links in with the idea that this is shot single cam as to ensure they catch all the action they would only use
one camera to also make sure that no other camera are caught in shot. Using single really does save Modern Family
producers a large amount of money as it allows them to quickly move through all the shots and ensure that they
capture everything in the shot they use.