This document discusses the key differences between single camera and multi-camera film production techniques. Single camera productions use only one camera and allow more creative control over shots, but they are more time consuming. Some advantages of single camera include more realistic shots, ability to light scenes individually, and consistency in audio tracks. Common genres for single camera include drama, horror, and period films. Multi-camera is faster but provides less directorial control, and is better suited for genres like comedy and soap operas that need quick production turnarounds.

1. Single Camera Techniques
This essay will address single camera production techniques
such as camera, lighting, sound and editing. Single camera
productions are productions using only one camera rather than
multiple (multi-cam production). The use of this type of
production is gaining popularity and this allows people with
single camera technical skills to gain employment in that area. This essay will also
identify key production roles and look at mise-en-scene as well as cinematography
while using examples to elaborate on previous points.
Single cameras on productions are mainly used to
create more realism with a scene and get the
audience within the action. This creates an intimate
feel to the film which is why some film directors prefer
single camera such as Sam Peckinpah, an American
film director and screenwriter known for being visually
innovative and his action depiction.1
He is famous for
shooting a scene multiple times, as single cameras
demand, to make sure the shot was correct. Multiple
shot-takes can be time consuming, this is because
they have to set up each shot individually, making it a
disadvantage when working in a single camera
production. Directors tend to go for single camera productions more as they have
more control over the camera and the locations for the shoots aren’t limited unlike if
it was a multi-camera production where placement/room for the cameras would
have to be considered. Along with the production being time consuming, it can
result in it being more expensive including more planning. However, the production
can allow actors to get into character.
Lighting is still important in single camera as it is used to light the film to create
effects which can impact the audience. Lighting is far easier to
control and manipulate. You can shoot each shot differently and
the lighting can add to the tone of the film. For example, at the
start of Citizen Kane lighting is used to manipulate the shot of
the character so he is viewed as a collective with no face
association and is said to be watching/revealing the movie like
the audience. There are different types of set up in a single
camera production, unlike multi-camera it allows variety. Instead
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Peckinpah

2. of the shots looking studio lit they can be realistic and
detailed connotating to different meanings creating
a bigger effect on the audience. A basic set up would
be a ‘low key lighting set-up’ which consists of one
light pointing towards a subject and a camera. It is
designed to fill in the rooms light at a low level to be
able to cast shadows. These set ups can be easily
adjusted, but if needed again they should be slightly
changed to fit the shot and keep consistency.
Sound adds to a film and can sometimes define a film and decide whether it’s a
good or a bad film. In single camera productions, due to the use of shoulder
shots, cutaways and any restricted view shots this allows the film to use a single
dialogue or audio track. This one
single track can be used for multiple
angles, some views restricting us from
seeing the actors lips help even and
allow us to keep the viewer
entertained. This helps make the track
more consistent. Also, boom
microphones are a ‘staple of single
camera
productions’
and help get ‘in the action’ creating a personal feel to the
film. Of course, in post-production Foley (a reproduction
of everyday sound effects added
to a film) would or could be
applied. Foley artists such as
Jack Foley, the man who
invented the profession, added
sound to a silent film in 192. He
helped to make the film Show
Boat into a full-blown musical
extravaganza. Due to the microphones capturing the
dialogue only, he added extra sounds later on, footsteps,
props and movement of three people made by him
walking with a cane all done by himself, he recreated the
whole film using sounds.
(https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/cinema-sound-secrets-foley-
artist/ )

3. A disadvantage of single camera sound is that
not all takes can be delivered with the same pace
of dialogue so they will add a second camera if
there are certain shots or lots of dialogue.
Whereas with multi-camera you can keep
consistency with audio without exhausting the
actors. Film-makers in single camera can invent
new ways to hide a microphone for the best shot
which can waste time but could create very good
audio such as they audio in Citizen Kane where they make a ‘fake ceiling’ just to
hide the microphones as they wanted lots of low shots.
Editing in any film is important and it
can take a long time to sift through.
Single camera productions are edited
after a scene has been filmed as they
cannot be completed live like a multi-
camera production. Shot logs (a list of shots captured) are taken into
consideration when editing lots of footage together and can state which ones are
successful or not. Also, when editing a single camera you can also create a
‘rough cut’ of a film if an editor is on the set. This technique is especially useful
when on a time limit, an editor will be given the footage as the shoot is ongoing
and will ‘draft’ up a rough version of an edit to help gain an understanding of the
storyline. However, when editing, if any mistakes made, or audio does not sync up
with the characters lips as the actors loose energy, the editor will have to cover it
up with another shot (see in sound section above), whereas in a multi-camera
production there is less likely to be inconsistency or mistakes. Editors such as
Chris King talk about what editing is like in this video, talking about being a fresh
pair of eyes in editing and how important and effective editing can be at telling a
story well. (https://youtu.be/iF4kF1RI2uQ)
There are specific genres and formats associated with
either multi-camera productions or single camera
productions. Certain formats ‘lend themselves’ to single
camera as they suit the genre or are easier to do
logistically. For example, period, crime drama and horror
can be very single camera orientated. Horror especially as
to create a very intimate and realistic elemental feel, they
use single camera to ‘get up close’ in shots or hand-held
action shots. This gives the film-makers more freedom to
explore and get creative with visuals. Period dramas allow
for more expression and close-ups of the characters to create emotive and very

4. expressive exchanges and creates a connection between the audience and the
characters. It also helps to tell as story, the same way a close up can create a
greater insight for the audience into the characters, a POV shot which is handheld
and moves can create a very personal feel. Whereas with a multi-cam production
you are less likely to have room or get close to the
actors for visually experimental shots. This can lack
emotion and feel towards the show, making it less
expressive. For example, ‘The Shining’ would be a
good use of having lots of control creatively over a
single-cam production.
In multi-camera productions,
comedy and soap operas are
geared towards using
multiple cameras as they are
either studios/sets or they
need to be filmed quickly as usually soap operas are airing every week or so. For
example, ‘Mrs Browns Boys’ is a studio set in front of a live audience and it is
filmed in a multi-camera set up. They use multi-camera instead of single for this
type of show, for the comedic factor, to get everyones reaction within a shot and
without a multi-cam set up, it lacks an audience for aFormats such as series, serial
and single drama may appear similar, but they are different. Series are episodic
programming with the same characters, but a different storyline such as Sherlock
where they have the same character development, but different cases each
episode. Serials are run for a specific period of time but can appear to be never-
ending such as Coronation Street. It can be periodic like Downton Abbey, this can
mean there are a big ensemble of characters, but no one is the main character.
They are mainly associated with multi-camera productions rather than single
camera productions. Lastly, single drama utilizes one main story and set of
characters in a film like one single episode. Some single dramas can be longer
running on 2-3 episodes, but usually that is it.

5. Multi-camera techniques differ from single camera productions as it covers all of
the action. This technique is usually most common in ‘live’, time-limited filming
such as Strictly Come Dancing or action films involving
stunts and explosions such as The Avengers. Advantages
of using this type
of production are
they aren’t time-
consuming and
continuity errors
are less common.
However, lighting
can be easy to manage in single camera, it can be
adjusted and can look the same in ever shot, in
multi-camera it can cause a shot to look flat or
fake in one shot and ‘perfect’ in another, so it
is harder to keep consistent with lighting. For
example in the single camera shot, more lights
are added to create soft features and make the
talent look better.
A director has much less control over a shot in multi-camera productions in
comparison to single camera production as there is problems logistically such as
room for the cameras or manoeuvrability.