Final Essay: MultiCamera Essay Analysis
Draft:
A multi-camera production is quite simply a production with multiple cameras, whether thats two cameras or five. It’s a very simple way to catch multiple peoples reactions in one take rather than having to run the same scene many times using one camera. After shooting my own single camera drama I realised how you would have to run the same scene over and over recording everyones reaction to one specific line which became very time consuming, and the cast would get very bored having to give the same response multiple times leading to a response which didn’t look natural. A multi-camera setup is typically used in a studio, with a vision mixer, but can also be used on location with additional editing. A lower budget show may have one camera in the studio but still be classed as a multi-cam because of the cutaways and interviews which play out during the show, which again uses different cameras to the studio one. Multi-Camera productions are used to interest the viewer and make the visuals more appealing. If an hour long show had one camera, the program would become very repetitive and boring visually.
Many shows on TV use a multi-camera setup to catch multiple reactions at once. Shows like the X Factor, or Britain’s Got Talent can focus on the audiences reaction, as well as the performer and judges, therefore these shows would not be possible to create with only one camera. In addition to this, if something goes wrong on live TV such as someone running on stage etc, the vision mixer can cut to different cameras to hide the issues on stage. Live events always have a multi camera setup to catch all the action. Sports, concerts, stage productions, and public events all have multi camera setups to make sure nothing is missed. At a live concert the vision mixer would cut between each camera in time with the music to keep the visuals interesting; this would also present the up beat atmosphere of the event to people watching it at home.
When creating my own multi-camera productions I typically use camera 1 to focus on the host, camera 2 to provide a wide shot, and camera 3 to focus on the guest. If I was directing I would then talk to the camera operators to instruct them on which camera angle to pursue.
Kerry Hatfield 