Nancy

1. Unit 20: Single Camera Techniques
introduction to a scp
a single camera production is a method of filmmaking that productions use, in
the serious the various shots and camera angels are all taken from the same
camera which are moved or reset to get each new shot, this requires actors
doing multiple takes instead of just one
unlike its counterpart which would be a multi camera production which
would be used for bigger productions or for more of an ensemble of a cast.
originally single camera has been around since the birth of filmmaking in
1910 and overtime the method has evolved but it is still used in productions
to this day, most frequently used in sitcoms for e.g. 2003's 'Arrested
Development' and 'the good place' (2016-2020) unlike live sitcoms like friends
which require a live audience and a set so multi cameras are used and doesn't
grant much freedom as much as single camera productions do.
in the 1960's when situational comedies were very popular they also used
single camera productions shows such as 'Bewitched' (1964-1972) or 'the
brady bunch' (1969-1974) though multi camera productions was the norm,
single camera productions allowed comedies of this era more freedom and
leniency with features such as look-alikes and doubles and magical
appearances and disappearances but for a more modern day production like
'arrested development' it is a more stylistic choice of having a cartoon like
freedom to be as creative as the production likes and do difference locations
and there that a multi camera production wouldn't grant them.

2. Advantages
 It is cheaper; if more cameras are ere used each camera would cost
money and lighting and sound units attached to those cameras and then
the upkeep of those would cost more money
 more creative control to allow a production use any location they can
possibly want and aren't defined by a set or can have many variations of
shots that a multiple camera production would not allow them
 More aesthetic control, lighting and sound for each shot, can enhance
the detail and excitement for each shot
 don't need both actors present on set at the same time, which means it
can be more practical and cost effective for productions to not be
handicapped for actors to be there when they can have doubles to stand
there
 More flexibility in terms of shots, better to shoot in a non linear
sequence to the story which means that productions will he faster and
less maintenance
disadvantages
 Less realistic reactions from actors, as one actor gets filmed at a time
could create continuity problems for a production which doesn't help
immerse an audience into the film
 Lots of repetition getting each shot, need to repeat the shot for as many
angles you want, for larger productions this would create many
problems especially with a larger cast
 Takes longer and would be very time consuming in post production to
edit to create the perfect continuity shot
 Since single-camera production only uses one camera, of course, the
director gets absolute control over every shot. If, for instance, you opted
to go with the multi-camera production, you could get different angles
and different takes at the same time, using different people manning
different cameras
 Takes longer to set up and to find the correct lighting where as a multi
camera production is at a fixed point with the correct lighting set up

3. The Haunting Of Hill House (TV Show, 2018, Horror)
https://youtu.be/bZ-mXMjO9h8
the horror drama TV show used a wide range of techniques to create suspense
and horror. However i would like to focus on episode #6 of the show were a
single camera technique was primarily used for the entirety of the episode.
The whole episode is composed of 5 long takes and the production used a
single camera to create a sense of intimacy with each characters grief as it
follows then throughout the set using a steadicam transitioning throughout
the past and present. To achieve this effect of the king takes the crew has to
use a single steady cam to smoothly follow the characters as they venture
through the house. The purpose of the long shots were to make sure the
audience don't miss anything and that they are seeing it just as the characters
but to keep them excited as the suspense intensifies
if a multi camera production were to be implemented this effect would not
have been achievable and would've been very restrictive therefore would
have served no purpose to the crew and their intentions with this episode.
whereas using a single camera allowed them to have more movement and be
more creative with their set. By doing the one shot aswell it effectively
allowed them to build up suspension and communicate an eerie feeling to the
audience which was what was intended.

4. Trainspotting (Film, 1996, Drama)
https://youtu.be/RCxgqHqakXc
In this opening scene of trains pitting the production use a series of techniques
that implement a single camera in this specific scene the main characters are
getting chased by the police. to help communicate the fast pacedness of the
scene the production used a hand held shot to immerse the audience as if they
were running with the characters; a steadicam could've been implemented but
wasn't as a stylistic choice to create a sense of immersion with the audience, this
is a great way to establish a drama by opening it with a scene that is going to get
audiences interested
a steadicam in this scene would've hindered the overall movement and fit it to
follow the characters throughout the street a handheld shot would've been more
effective

5. the scene which is effectively 2 minutes long uses a wide range of techniques
aswell, i would particularly like to highlight its editing in that it keeps a fast pace
and manages to introduce the main cast within this short amount of time but it
also has a smooth transition shot which would've been achieved by a single
camera, at 1:12, when renton gets knocked out he falls into another locationthis
will have been done to keep up with the same pace of the scene but to also
quickly progress the story as the character does his monologue opening the film,
but this shot would've been done by having the camera replicate the movement
of the character falling fromdifferent angles in 2 different scenes to differentiate
what locationthe character is in to then fully transition the scene once the
character had fully fell.
as said before this is to keep the audience interested but also shows them the
lifestyle the characters lead in only 2 minutes, it doesn't want to coddle the
audience with a backstory it more wants to give them a quick introduction with
multiple locations in rapid time so it can progress with the story
a multi camera production would've had trouble keeping up with the constant
changing of locations which would've made it difficult for the production to keep
up for such a short scene and would've been less efficient
In terms of effectiveness, I would say that the use of the single camera technique
properly served the directors intentions, as he was trying to make a cohesive
opening scene that introduces all the characters well enough to the audience. The
use of the steadicam allows the director to keep up with the pace of the scene
whereas a MCP would have not have had the ability to keep up.

6. Mad World (Music Video, 2002, Gary Jules)
https://youtu.be/4N3N1MlvVc4
this music video directed by micheal gondry, was shot in only one take, it uses a
single camera and implements many techniques.
it begins with an Ariel shot of the school which would've been achieved through a
camera arch, and watches down as the children fromthe school conjoin to make
shapes and images from an ariel perspective, the camera does a few slow arch
movements towards micheal as he also watches from above it does this twice
between each other as we get a wide shot on the roof top he is above, the slow

7. and still nature and movement of the camera matches with the melancholy tone
of the songs lyrics and imagery of a mad world, this is somewhat effective for
what the music video is trying to achieve and uses the space in which its provided
creatively with allowing the kids to tell a narrative besides the song and then
panning to micheal.
it's use off one single take and no cuts also compliments the slow movements of
the camera aswell allowing for an almost smooth take. the final shot however
does an opposite movement to the right side of the building where Michael
Andrews who is playing piano on the song, is on the roof aswell, and then ends
with him and a wide shot of the city behind him. this is in theme with the songs
message of it being a "mad world" and the insignificance of living in the world and
has a prosaic approach at a modern life.
The use of single camera techniques may have not been as complex as compared
to other uses, however it still is somewhat effective as it helped communicated
and deliver the melancholy tones of the song through its use of shots.

8. Requiem for a dream (film, drama, 2000)
https://youtu.be/ofHpjrhRdaE
Throughout this film there are a various set of techniques used, but in this specific
shot, the technique being used is known as a Snorricam. This is a device that attaches
to a camera to an actors body, creating a close and intimate shot and creating a
connection between the actor and audience. In this specific scene, Darren Aronfosky,
implements the technique to portray the emotions of the characters. In this scene
the snorricam effectively captures the worry and ill feeling of the characters face as
they move throughout the building, and details the sweat and panic. The actors
portrayal combined with the detail from the snorricam shot creates a unique and
intimate moment between the audience and the film.
The actors wearing the snorricam are typically required to do a lot of physical
movement albeit running or walking at high speeds so the camera must be attached
securely, a single camera is always used to break free from the restrictions that
multiple cameras provide, allowing the director full control of what the audience can
see. When actors are moving quickly and the extreme close shot, a distorted and blur
effect is created which usually communicates to an audience that there is a sense of
urgency and something not being completely right. Audiences are typically more
used to stabilised tripod shots, and this effect is used multiple times throughout the
film along side stabilised shorts. I would say that Darren Aronfosky’s decision to use
this technique was effective as it properly communicated the characters ill feeling
through the use of the snorricam and in turn created an intimate shot.