UNIT 23: FILM AND TV EVENTS – MULTI-CAMERA TECHNIQUES – SHOOTING LIVE EVENTS

By Grace Hardy

TASK 1- UNDERSTANDING MULTI-CAMERA FORMATS

What is ‘Multi-Camera’?

Multi-Camera is a filming technique where multiple cameras are utilized to film a event or programme.

Example of a multi-camera production

A perfect example of a multi-camera production is ‘Mock The Week’. During the filming of ‘Mock The Week’ multiple cameras are used to film different shots and areas of the programme. As you can see below.

Coverage of Action

The coverage of action in ‘Mock The Week’ is used to the viewing television audience is able to convey the entire shot which is being shown (usually by a middle camera). This allows the viewing television audience see all the features of the set which being displayed.

Visual Style is how the viewing audience sees the programme that they are watching and how the shots blend in when they are edited together. The overall visual style in ‘Mock The Week’ is not fast or slow, it switches from camera to camera when a new person on the programme speaks. And when a certain location is indicate within the programme the visual style changes to convey that location.

Visual Style

Communicating meaning to the viewer

There is a specific camera that picks up the audiences reaction, this is an example that helps communicate meaning to the viewer because as a viewer can see that the audience are happy and are laughing. This is an example of communicating meaning to viewer because the viewer is influenced by what they see. For example, if they see one of the a comedian laughing or in shock, they will automatically react like this as well.

The camera shots are what keeps the viewers interested if the shot was the same throughout the programme, the viewer would get very bored whereas they have camera's to pick up more than one shot. For example, there are camera's at the for a different comedian and team which is very engaging for a viewer to watch and the viewer can also see the comedian’s faces when the camera's shot are placed on them which can also maintain the viewer’s interest.

Maintaining the viewer’s interest

Constraints of the studio

The constraints of the studio is the space limits of where you can record footage. Mainly there is not enough space for the cameras to capture everything which is needed to be recorded. Another constraint is that the audience may become uncontrollable. For example, if it was a recording of a comedy show the audience may became uncontrollable with laughter which could disrupt the filming. These features must be considered when filming or the filming will be unsuccessful.

Multi-Camera simultaneous recordings are conducted similarly as my group and I recorded the multi-camera production this year. Each camera which is filming a different shot is connected to a Multi-Cam console and the person who is in change of the console alternates in shots which are meant to be shown on the television broadcast. During the recording shots can be changed by the person controlling the console communication to the camera operators by using tally lights to change the shot

Multi-Cam simultaneous recordings

History of ‘Multi-Camera’

The ‘Multi-Camera’ filming technique has been active since the earliest dates of television with 3 camera used to broadcast the ‘Queen’s Message’ in 1928, the first drama preformed on television. The multi-camera filming technique has been used by the BBC for their live television shows since 1936. The majority of British Sitcoms and drama's from the 1950's to 1960's were made using this filming technique (4 cameras) and broadcasted live. Camera prices began to fall around this time but more and more directors realised that having multiple, synchronized angles truly makes editing easier, a multi-camera shoot can save enormous amounts of time during post production. This is how the ‘Multi-Camera’ filming technique became popular and why it is used in modern day

Why is ‘Multi-Camera’ used?

The reasons why the ‘Multi-Camera’ filming technique is used are:

To make editing easier Covers a lot of areas and allows for many shots from

different angles when filming Capture emotions and reactions To achieve a ‘Transition Shot’ (Example: When two

characters are having a conversation)

Advantages and Disadvantages?

Advantages :Multi-Camera production uses more than the one camera, using more than one

camera has its advantages.  Using the technique of multi-cam allows others to cover more areas as there are

more cameras By using different shots for each camera we are able to see reactions and emotions

through different angles. The transition from one person to another will be smoother as they film the

production together than shooting one person then re-doing it to film the other person. It will also be less time consuming to film as they do not have to re-do the same scene over and over to get each piece of footage like they would when using the single camera technique.

Disadvantages : It takes longer to set up due to the large amount of equipment that needs to be

used. Its more expensive than the single camera technique because there are more than

one camera would be in use. The multi-camera technique is only allowed to be used indoors due it being usually

being set up within a studio.

TASK 2 – PLAN A MULTI-CAMERA PRODUCTION

Proposal

Whenever a film crew conducts filming they have to make documents as evidence that they scheduled to film and that they have a justified purpose. One of the first documents that has to be made is a ‘Proposal’. A proposal is made so that the film crew can prove that they have a justified purpose to film. This has to include a brief summary what the filming consists of and a description of their intentions.

Location Recee

Another key document which is needed is a ‘Location Recee’. A ‘Location Recee’ is created so that the film crew and producers can prove that they have chosen and scheduled a location. They are able to see the layout of the location so they can decide on where to place the equipment and the advantages of the location. This is later followed by a ‘Location Permission’ form to they are able to start filming.

Running Order

Running Order documentation are used so the filming crew are aware how long the act will be, if there are any specific requirements for a certain act (different area of the stage), where it will be filmed and what personnel is required and who was present when the act is performing.

Risk AssessmentRisk What could

happen?How can it be prevented?

Personnel tripping over wires

A member of the filming crew could trip over a wire and damage equipment and harm themselves

Floor managers could stick down the wires with gaffer tape to prevent personnel tripping on them

Damage to equipment

When the equipment is being set up they could be damaged if they are not treated with care

Instruct the personnel to handle the equipment with care when setting up

Health risks and conditions

People who are filming could have a health scare if they have diabetes, epilepsy or heart conditions

Make sure there is a first aid kit with the proper medication to prevent and stop this risk

What roles are there in a ‘Multi-Camera’ production?

There are many roles in a ‘Multi-Camera’

production. The roles consist of: Camera Operators Audio Operators Lighting Operators Vision Mixer Voice Communicator Floor managers – Documenting the act

and personnel in action when filming

To the left you can see a Floor Manager Document. You can see the scheduled act and the roles which are needed when the performance is being filmed. Here lighting patterns and audio choices are recorded.

What equipment are used?

Tripod Tally lights

Boom Microphone

HDV Video Camera

Phono cable

S-Video cable

Audio mixer

Multi-Cam consoleGaffer Tape

Lighting desk

What equipment are assigned to while role?

Camera Operators –

Audio Operators –

Lighting Operators –

Vision Mixer –

Voice Communicator –

Floor Manager -

Floor plan

STAGE

AUDIENCE AUDIENCE

- Cameras

- Multi-Cam Console

- Boom Microphones

- Audio mixer/ Audio player- Tally Lights

- Phono Cable- S-Video Cable

- Lighting desk

TASK 3 – PREFORM AN OPERATIONAL ROLE IN A MULTI-CAMERA PRODUCTION

What was my role?

My role in the Multi-Camera production was helping set up the equipment which is required to preform a Multi-Camera production . This included setting up cameras on tri-pods, attaching wires to equipment and sticking down wires to prevent damage to the equipment and injuries to others. This can be seen in the images to the right. Another role which I took part in was taking in turns filming with my partner in the in the second half of the production. This can be seen in the image in the bottom right-hand corner.

My group and I were able to communicate but using a device called “tally lights”. The person who was working at the Multi-Cam console was able to speak to us through the tally lights to telling us to change any of the shots while filming and when the production is going to start and end.

Tally lights