THE TASK:
You must comprehensively explain the features of single camera production with reference to elucidated examples to a group of KS4 Media Studies students, consistently using subject terminology correctly.
WHAT IS A SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION?
'A production using single camera format is generally used with just one camera and is mostly used in dramas, documentaries and comedies. Each shot and camera angle is taken by the one camera unlike a multi-camera format. - Single camera productions are not live and include a lot of editing and takes. • "The single-camera setup, or single-camera mode of production, is a method of film making and video production. A single camera—either motion picture camera or professional video camera is employed on the set and each shot to make up a scene is taken individually. As its name suggests, a production using the single-camera setup generally employs just one camera. Each of the various shots and camera angles is taken using the same camera, which is moved and reset to get each shot or new angle. The lighting setup is typically reconfigured for each camera setup.'
There are several positive and negative aspects of the single camera format, for example: during a a series such as a sitcom the single camera techniques are good for capturing the facial expressions of the character as well as body language. However, in a genre such as action a multi camera setup must be used as it would cost too much to recreate scenes and there would be little possibility for both scenes to look identical.
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Single Camera Format Examples
Doctor Who (Sci-Fi)
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The Inbetweeners (Comedy)
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'In ‘First day’ of the Inbetweeners there is the use of the camera establishing shot along with a high angle shot to represent the location and Will’s character. For example in the beginning of the programme there is an establishing shot with an high angle shot of the sixth form from above which shows the main entrance where Will walks through. This demonstrates that the producers combined the establishing shot and the high angle shot together in order to represent a new scene that introduces the features of the sixth form in order to create realistic and dramatic effects to represent the mise en scene of an educational institute. Furthermore these shots were also used to introduce Will’s first appearance into the episode and to create the dramatic and realistic effects of Will’s position as these shots where used to show the vulnerability of the character as he has just started a new sixth form. However the establishing and high angle shots where used to relate towards the target audience of the programme as it presents the sixth form as an educational institution and the vulnerability of Will which perfectly establishes a new scene.' |