possibly 20A or multicam assignment

1. ccSingle Camera Assignment
There are two types of video production techniques;
single camera and multi-camera production.
A single camera setup is when only one camera is used
and is used in most dramas, documentaries, and
comedies. Each shot and camera angle is taken by only
one camera unlike a multi-camera format, where there is
a camera for every angle and shot needed in a particular
scene, which they are then moved to show these different
perspectives.
Single camera setups are usually used as it is cheaper
than using multiple cameras. It also allows the editor and
director to be more creative, and works well with a small
crew. However, it is quite time- consuming, limited and
hard to reproduce scenes.

2. DRAMA
The drama TV series I have chosen to analysis is
Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock is of the crime, mystery and
drama genres.
Camera techniques
A technique used in
Sherlock is this Bullet
time effect. This is a
visual effect/impression
of detaching the time and
space of a camera from
that of its visible subject.
During the wedding
photograph scenes,
everyone stood still
whilst the camera panned
around. It seemed as if
time stood still while the
camera moved around.
Sherlock uses a variety of camera angles and shots
throughout the TV series.

3. In this image an over the shoulder shot reveals the
protagonist character and the victim’s emotions about
Sherlock's arrival. The women seems very pleased and
thankful, she now has some hope however it is still
evident she is fearful and anxious due to her fidgeting
quite a lot. Whereas the man, who is the antagonist
character remains stiff and does not seem remorseful,
which highlights the seriousness of this. As well as the
prop of a gun portraying fierceness.
In this shot it portrays Sherlock's body language as being
authoritive as it shows that he is powerful and in control
of the situation, his chest out could show that he is quite
smug and self-assured, because he is confident in his
role.
The use of the props in the room of tinsel and a
Christmas stocking to decorate this room shows that it is
a close time to Christmas, this conveys that there should
be a joyful atmosphere instead of a gloomy and dark
energy. The use of a stocking also suggests that she has a
child/children and that is even more reason to spare her
life.

4. Whereas here, a dolly shot is used which follows him
over to the other side of the room, along with the diegetic
sound of Sherlock speaking. A sound bridge is used as
Mrs Hudson speaks.
The first piece of dialog is heard from Sherlock as he
says “Don’t sniffle, Mrs Hudson”. Thus, I establish that
he is British, and from London this is due to his accent
and a stereotypical Londoner is portrayed as being quite
snobby.
He never removes his cloak although he is inside which
reveals he is not fearful and thinks that he can easily save
the women without any hassle and in no time.
His hands are crossed behind his back to show a lack of
respect and conceit.
He walks very slowly and calmly and never closes the
door which may show that he wants someone to help him
or is waiting for someone.

5. He remains in contact with the man whilst speaking until
he stops walking, which shows he will not take any risks
by not keeping eye contact with man, this shows the man
is very dangerous, and finally Sherlock remains calm
although the man has a gun to the women’s head and she
appears tearful and terrified.
Shot reverse shot is demonstrated as the camera shows
close ups of two peoples hands, this is done to contrast
them, I believe that the other person is a woman because
she has nail polish. Also, it shows the reactions of
characters. In these two shots, Shallow focus is used to
show how important it is for him to find this clue.
The genre becomes evident due to the star system that it
is a fiction detective movie because Sherlock is looking
carefully for clues as shown, Sherlock is discovering
what action has taken place on this wall. He carefully
reaches over to the wall hesitating to touch it, mean
whilst the women is scratching on the wall very
forcefully portraying that she is desperate and also weak
against these men. She may also be scratching the wall

6. so that Sherlock notices this clue and can therefore utilise
flashbacks as shown.
The lighting continuously changes from high key to low-
key lighting. The man’s scene is in high key lighting,
contrastingly the women’s scene of her hands is in low-
key lighting, and this is because the women’s scene is
dark and terrifying whereas the bright light of the man’s
hand portrays hope.
Graphic match is used here as the two scenes are very
similar however it is a flashback. Music is still playing,
as well as diegetic sounds of gasps from the women and
scratching sounds to make the scene more dramatic.
Usually in drama, text
messages can become
evident using a close up
shot so that the audience are
able to read it.
However, in Sherlock Holmes, text messages are
displayed on screen for the audience to read.

7. Another technique used in Sherlock is Deductions. Using
deductions, we are able to see what goes on in Sherlock’s
mind live, as he is thinking about it.

8. For example, in this shot, deductions are shown when
Sherlock evaluates the antagonist’s body. This is because
he is deciding what vulnerable place he should target him
in. The camera technique used is shallow focus.
The sound is as if he is using a gun in a video game
which shows he is quite immature and may not actually
have a gun. It sounds like he is looking for a target which
he is, this is a parallel sound.
More examples:
In the series, many of
the establishing shots, mostly of London are miniature
replicas used as a cheaper alternative method to aerial

9. shots. They become very realistic using tilt shift and very
good lighting.
Throughout the TV
series, continuous
objects are used in
order to cover and
create engaging
scenes as shown:
Lighting
Overexposed backgrounds
are also common in
Sherlock. This is done in
order to create dramatic
effect in that frame. This
can be seen in this shot:
Throughout Sherlock the aperture is usually very narrow,
therefore the scenes are quite dark but very sharp and

10. clear for the audience to see and therefore there is usually
a shallow depth of field.
Just as the aperture affects the exposure as well as the
depth-of field, the shutter affects more than just the
exposure. The shutter speed is also predominantly
responsible for controlling the amount of blur in a
picture. In Sherlock, when paused there is barely any
blur and therefore the shutter speed is quite high as the
camera is taking the picture very fast.
Frame rate
DOCUMENTARY
The documentary I have chosen is Planet earth, this was
made possible by millions invested into equipment and
filming techniques.
Planet earth was filmed over 117 shoots in 40 different
countries, using gyro-stabilised cameras, drones and even
paragliders. The technological developments that make
the series so visually spectacular include smaller, lighter
cameras and HD formats which effectively bring us
closer to the animals, giving us an extraordinary intimacy
with their world.
The hatchling marine iguanas’ great escape was filmed
from the air by drones, and on the ground by two
cameramen, one with a tripod, and the other with a hand-
held unit. ‘4K’ cameras were used throughout, allowing
very clear, sharp images to be captured although in low
light, which is useful for shooting wildlife, as they are

11. frequently active first thing in the morning or at night.
The high image resolution also allows the film-makers to
zoom in on the action from further away without losing
quality.
Camera traps were used to
detect any movement.
Planet earth was able to capture
this image of a Lion crossing the
‘Okavango River’ which arises
only once a year.
Elizabeth White, who is one of the show’s producers said
“During a storm a huge wave came in over the cliff, and
doused one of our cameras”. “We were seven days from
the Falklands, there was no chance of us getting another
camera, so we were trying to dry it with heat packs and
the cameraman was sleeping with it in his sleeping bag
trying to warm it up”.
This conveys the difficulties that can be faced with single
camera production, which would not have occurred with
multiple cameras.
Planet earth created a narrative of everyday life in the
dessert to hold our attention and enable us to have a
better understanding. The producers show us a Lion, and
then an antelope The camera then follows the lion and

12. antelope is shown running to portray how lions survive
in everyday life.

14. In planet earth, I think that the aperture was quite narrow
and had a full depth of field, displaying sharp and clear
scenes throughout. The shutter speed in planet earth was
very fast as once paused there was barely any blurriness,
the animals and scenery was still very detailed and
strong. These tools enabled this documentary to show
extraordinary footage which was very clear and sustained
interest of the audience.
ADVERT
The advert I have chosen is Cadburys.
The 90-second advert for Cadburys chocolate in 2007,
starred Garson Michael as the giant ape bashing along to
Phil Collins's, ‘In The Air Tonight’.
Single Camera VS Multi Camera Production
Advantages of single camera production include it
allowing creative control to interpret the script, it is
easily editable and allows the producers to shoot quicker,

15. in one location. As well as saving costs for travel and
only using one camera. Single camera production
reduces the cost of the whole production, the type of
format puts the product makers at a benefit, this is
because, as single camera shots tend to cut individuals
out in close up shots, conversations, this means that only
one person is required and another actor can be used in
place of the original co-actor for the meanwhile. By
doing this, producers will save money and actors time, as
they will only pay them for the scenes they do and when
doing a large production, involving many big actors,
production expenses can be large figures. Therefore, if
the team can replace large actors in the meanwhile, they
can save themselves a lot of money and also be able to
shoot for the other actor, whenever they are available to
shoot.
In contrast, there are many advantages of multi camera
production such as the process being much easier,
quicker, and efficient than the previously mentioned
format as it is in real time. This is because the lighting
does not have to be changed, sets do not have to be set up
again and continuous shooting can be done, using
arrange of cameras. Due to the set-up of the cameras, the
shots can be mixed live and edited from different
cameras for a better effect.