Multi camera TV operations - shot sizes and cameraman responsibilities

1. Studio Camera Training
by David Crossman DGGB - 07973 664189
david.crossman@dsl.pipex.com
On ‘live’ or ‘recorded as live’ multi-camera television cameramen have the
responsibilities of:
1. Framing the action well whilst delivering the size of shot requested
2. Maintaining optical focus as appropriate
1. Shot Framing
Mid Shot (MS) Medium Long Shot (MLS)
MS – to waist of individual MLS – to knees of individual
Long Shot (LS) Wide Shot (WS)
LS – including feet WS - shot showing the “geography”
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2. 2. Optical Focus
Lenses need focusing as the distance between the camera and the ‘action’
changes. For instance, if a Presenter walks away from the camera, he or she
will become “out of focus” – especially if the cameraman “zooms in” to make
them bigger in the frame.
Here the camera is far away from the human subject but the lens is not
focused on the woman - but the fountain behind:
Here the cameraman has adjusted the focus to favour the woman but now the
fountain is “out of focus” – as it should be since this is less important:
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3. Know your Equipment:
1. Your camera’s lens
2. Your tripod
3. Your camera’s viewfinder
1. Your camera’s lens controls are zoom and focus.
Experiment before the recording to know how to operate the zoom
smoothly and to adjust subject focus.
2. On your camera’s tripod, discover how to lock both “pan” – horizontal
movement - and “tilt” – vertical movement - for static shots.
Discover how to adjust the friction on “pan” and “tilt” camera moves.
N.B. In a multi-camera situation all other camera controls – like exposure and
colour balance – are controlled remotely by someone else.
3. Investigate your camera’s viewfinder to get the best view:
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