This document provides an introduction to techniques, genres, and formats for single camera short films. It explains that the lesson will cover single camera techniques and having students make their own single camera drama. Key points covered include: single camera films scenes one at a time from different angles compared to multi-camera; common formats are singles (self-contained stories), serials (one story over several episodes), and series (using characters across different stories); and common genres include horror, action, and sitcoms. Students will participate in activities to identify genres, examples, and explain single camera concepts.

1. Short Film
Techniques,
genres & formats

2. Welcome
to short film…
Over this unit you will be learning about
single camera techniques, before
making your own single camera drama
in small groups.

3. By the end of today, you
MUST understand how single camera
techniques are used to create videos
SHOULD explain different formats and
genres of single camera videos
COULD identify examples of different
single camera videos

4. As we go through the lesson fill
in your worksheet… it’ll help you
to write your report later on…

5. 1st off
What do we think a single camera
production is?

6. There are 2 different types of
video production technique we
can use when making a film…
Multi-camera

7. There are 2 different types of
video production technique we
can use when making a film…
Single camera

8. Multi-camera
Films the action with several cameras, all
at the same time.

9. Multi-camera
Is often filmed in a TV studio

10. Multi-camera
This footage is then edited live, in real
time, by the vision mixer.

11. Lighting is above the studio floor
and controlled remotely

12. What does each camera need,
in order to work?

13. Single camera
Films the action with just one camera.

14. Which is quicker…
Filming the action with just one camera
or with several cameras at the same
time?

15. Filming with multiple cameras
allows us to capture the action
from several angles, in just 1
take.

16. Its quick as its *mostly* filmed just
the once, in REAL-TIME

17. And we also get a variety of
different shots to use

18. Filming using a single camera
takes more time
As we just have 1 camera we can only film the
actors from 1 angle.
If we want to get a different shot, we need to
refilm the scene from a different angle.

19. As we just have 1 camera
we can only film the actors from
1 angle.
If we want to get a different shot, we
need to refilm the scene from a different
angle.

20. Whenever we re-film a scene
from a new angle we have to
move & relight….

21. After we’ve finished filming what
else do we still need to do?

22. (much) of the film & TV industry
is motivated by 1 thing…

23. Which sounds cheaper?
Multicamera
• Lots of cameras
• Lots of camera
operators
• TV studio
• Gallery
• Full lighting rig
Single-camera
• 1 camera
• 1 camera
operator
• 3 lights

24. Filming using single camera
techniques is:
• Cheaper
• Easier with a small crew
• Easier with a small budget
• But it takes longer
• But crucially…..
• Its also more creative and liberating.

25. We can create more beautiful
looking shots

26. We can take time to setup the
perfect shot
We don’t have to worry about other
camera operators being in shot so we
can get closer to the action.

27. Formats
What does Format mean?
“The way in which something is laid out.”

28. Films & TV programmes
have a format
Their stories and characters unfold at
different pace, and in different ways.

29. Singles
Tell 1 story over the course of 1 video.
A single is the same as a film - a single,
self-contained story, usually between 60-
90 minutes long

30. Serials
tell 1 story over several episodes.

31. Whereas a series
creates continuing characters and uses
them to tell different stories each week

32. SERIES

33. SINGLE

34. SERIAL

35. SERIES

36. SERIES

37. SERIAL

38. SINGLE

39. Genres
Are another way we have of
categorising films based on their themes
and stories.

40. What genre of film is….

41. What do we expect to see in a
horror film / programme ?

42. What genre of film is….

43. What do we expect to see in an
action film / programme ?

44. What genre of programme is….

45. What do we expect to see in a
sitcom?

46. TASK
Working in small groups….
List as many film genres as you can on
the flipchart
5 minutes

47. TASK 2
Working in small groups….
Each person take 1 film / TV genre and
list everything you could expect to see in
that type of genre
(eg/ for sci-fi you might put “aliens”)
15
minutes

48. TASK 3
Working in small groups….
For each film / TV genre find an example
of a series, a serial and single stand-
alone and write these down.
(eg/ for sci-fi you might put
“Prometheus” as a single)
10
minutes

49. Lets hang the posters up….

50. TASK 4
Working alone….
Write up a side of A4 where you explain
what single camera filming is
why we do it
What the difference is between a serial, series
and single
What genres are, explaining 3 different genres
30
minutes

51. Plenary
What are the different formats which use single
camera dramas?
What are the different genres which use single
camera dramas?
What are the benefits of filming using single
camera techniques?
What are the drawbacks of using single camera
techniques?