Single Camera Techniques

For this unit we have had to use a single camera for all our filming. There are many reasons why people use single camera techniques and also why people choose not to. This essay will be exploring single camera techniques and the pros and cons as I am trying to discover whether using a single camera for filming is still a good alternative. I’ll be exploring all the different arguments for and against the use of single camera techniques in comparison to multiple cameras.

As the name gives away the single camera technique involves using only one camera however, this rule can be broken in rare situations for example, if the scene is extremely heavy on dialogue having just one shot would make the scene really tedious. Another disadvantage of using single cameras would be when the scene has a stunt, this is because you’d only be able to cover it from one angle and that wouldn’t do the stunt justice.  This has its plus points over multi camera productions as it can create a more intimate feel with the viewer which could help the viewer engage with the film. The directors sometimes favour the single camera route as they feel it gives them more control. It is known to be easier to light a single camera production as it’s a lot easier to control as you can light each shot individually whereas when you use multiple cameras you have to make sure the lights good for each shot which could affect the quality of the scene. This means single camera productions have a chance to add character to their scene just through the lighting. Sound in single camera production is much like that of multi camera as you can add in Foley sounds, ambient noise and dialogue or even just enhance them. If anything it is probably harder to mic sound with a single camera as with multi camera products it allows for mics to be visible within the scene.  With both it could need a few cuts from different takes as some audio maybe sketchy. With our production it is going to be difficult with sound as we have got many of the professional equipment. Also with single camera production it requires a certain amount of overlay. Editing is a part of post-production you can’t really avoid. Single camera production leaves a lot of waste at the end however it saves money when it comes to filming as it takes a lot less time. With multi camera productions you can sometimes edit live by switching to a different camera with the use of a vision mixer like for example on X Factor. In contrast when it comes to single camera productions there is no avoiding post production editing in a studio.

When you think about building story you have to give thought to a few of different things. First of all, it is best to choose something that interests you. This would lead to you making a better choice of characters as you would pick characters which fit to the picture you have in your head. The plot of the story then has to fit with your idea whilst also being able to attract viewers this also links with style and structure as although it’s important you do something you enjoy it is vital that you can build an audience which could show interested also. With building a scene you have to be aware of the five Ps so to speak. Those are people, place, plot, progression and point. First of all you have to make sure you have the right characters in the right scenes so your production looks professional and works better.  Next you have to make sure the place is relevant to the scene so it fits the plot which is another P. The plot needs to be considered in the location as it needs to be able to fit where the plot is going and not be irrelevant. Progression and point are the next two Ps. The scene has to be in a place to progress as there is no point of having a scene which doesn’t compliment your plot in anyway and this links well with point as the overall intention of a scene would be to develop the overall plot.

There are many different genres covered by single camera productions. An example of a dramadoc and also period production would be Call the Midwife. A comedy example would be Peep Show. Other genres include crime horror and you have soap operas which are a good example of multi camera techniques as it needs a lot of cameras in order to speed up production. An example of a crime single camera production would be CSI. Soap operas tend to be filmed with multiple cameras as it’s easier and quicker to edit and at the rate they are produced they need to be. However, when a soap is filmed in a real house it can be done so with a single camera as there is less need for space around the house if there is only one camera. A good example of this being done would’ve been in Brookside. In some cases horror series use the technique of single camera as it gives the audience a more intimate feel with the plot and could ultimately involve them in the scares. This is because every shots mise en scene has been done individually. Different formats are often used with single camera techniques; these are serial, series and single. Serial is when the show is never ending for example, Eastenders. Series is when the drama is a sequel/ storyline which can end, for example, Luther. Single dramas are also shown for example Our Girl.

Single camera productions offer various narrative structures. First of all the production doesn’t have to be linear which means it doesn’t have to flow chronologically (beginning-middle-end) or it can be non-linear which is the opposite where it can be shown through flashbacks which would disrupt the linear flow. An example of this would be in Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) which is told predominantly through flashback narration. Realist dramas tend to be a bit slow to get into as the aim of them is to be realistic and relatable which entice you to carry on watching as you could imagine the storyline happening to them or in their area. In contrast the viewer would know in anti-realist production everything is fictional. The aim would be to entice the viewer with plenty of action like for example in Misfits. Sometimes the endings can be different as well, for example in some occasions the ending can be open, like a cliff hanger would leave the audience guessing what’s happened which tends to lead to a sequel. In other cases the open ending can be used in order for the director/writer to add tone to the text. This however can sometimes leave the audience irritated as there isn’t any closure to the narrative. Closed endings however make it clear the story has finished and offers closure and resolution to the characters.  This leaves the audience able to go away from the film feeling fulfilled. You would be more likely to see happy endings when watching more romanticised texts.

Multi-Camera techniques can be the only alternatives in some cases as all of the action has to be covered for example with football matches, talk shows, concerts or reality TV like Big Brother. Multiple camera tend to be needed the most in live productions and action filled adventures as there is far too much action needed to be covered and that would be very difficult to do with a single camera. The main advantages of a multi-camera production are: fewer reshoots, less continuity errors, action can flow better, shorter filming time and can broadcast live using various cameras. In contrast the main advantages of a single camera productions are: director has more control, the production would have a more personal feel, far less film is wasted when using one camera, can lead to exciting and stylish camera angles, footage can be shot in clusters, can use a variety of locations, more control over the lighting, possible to produce a master shot for each scene and the multiple run-throughs can help actors feel their character more. In conclusion, both techniques have their own pros and cons, so deciding what technique to use would be solely based on what you’re aiming for with your production for example if you want a realistic drama you’d go for single camera production where as if you are going for an action packed drama you’d use multiple cameras.    

Screenplay Audio Pitch

Commissioning Process for Writing for Television and Video

 There are many different job roles within the commissioning process; one of those is a commissioner editor.  A commissioner editor is expected to attend book fairs, conduct internet research, draw up surveys to identify demand and also attend relevant conferences this is all in order for them to learn about trends and gaps in the market. Producers are the main players in the television, film and video industries. Producers are expected to facilitate a project from the beginning until the end in both the studio and on location. They have to work closely with the director; creative input is varied depending on the client and the brief.  Script editors have the job of providing a critical overview of the screenwriting process. They don’t tend to offer solutions but instead help screenwriters identify problems and therefore help to strengthen and develop screenplays in the long run. Most writers work freelance and are self-employed. They are expected to be involved in the creation and development of their work be it fiction or non-fiction. Writers also have to fund themselves in most cases. None of these jobs have strict 9-5 structures, they are more sporadic so they could have to work lots of hours one month then barely any the next.[i] A producer is needed to overlook each aspect of a project including finance and marketing. The producer might have pitched and financed it and then taken part in developing the idea with writers and directors etc or the original idea could’ve been brought to the producer by a writer or even a member of public. An agent’s job is to first of all, find their talent work then help choose what jobs are worth taking. Also your agent would need to be up to date with the legal regulations in order to protect their employer. A screenplay director is in charge of taking the writers work and turning it in to a production. This transition can go smoothly sometimes with the writer and director working well together. However in some cases this can go negatively as they could both have totally different visions which can lead to conflict and even the writer taking their name of the work in some cases. Writer Lee Hall once said “you can have a really good script and still fuck it up.”[ii]

There are also various commissioning bodies. They vary from huge corporation to small independent production companies. Major corporations have the job of releasing the films and as a result get the money from the box office. However to get your film released by a major corporation is very difficult as they’re very careful about what films they pick as they want to make as much profit as possible. Examples of major corporations are Paramount and Disney. It would be easier for an unknown writer send of their work to an independent production company as they would be more likely to work with an unknown writer because it’d be a cheaper option. This is because independent production companies have a smaller budget than a major corporation therefore have to cut back where they can. Independent producers and directors are unique in the sense they write and produce their own screenplays which gives them more power on what happens. The reason not every producer and director can be independent is because you have to have (a lot of) money to fund yourself. Organisations and competitions are in place to help gain recognition whilst also nurturing the skills of a writer. Organisations are in place to help the writer improve their skills however they cannot fund screenplay development in a lot of cases.  Competitions are in place to give unknown writers a chance to get their work recognised; BBC writer’s room run competitions regularly. If you were to win a competition then you’d be more than likely to get your script commissioned and/or a money prize.

There are many different roles for the writer throughout production.  The writer has to go through the process of script editing. After consoling with the script editor the writer would have to take constructive criticism on board in order to improve their final script. Although writers do have power it’s very limited and when they submit their script to the director and producer it sometimes is out of their hands what the final result is. In some cases writers take their name of the production because they are so disgusted with the final outcome. Lee Hall talked about this in an interview stating, “The writer has very little influence in film, not like in plays or in the theatre.”[iii]  Once your screenplay has been approved for production you the have a shooting script which is a version of the screenplay. The difference with the shooting script is it follows a set of procedures specifying how script revisions should be implemented and circulated.  Following this, the script will be in its final stage and there will be no more rewrites or edits, the script will be published and handed to the department. However if any scenes do need to be altered then the locking of the pages will make this task easily tracked as the revised and unrevised pages are separate which will show the difference between the original script and the new version. Hand written notes on the pages help distinguish what needs to be done.

Working as a writer is a job many would love to have as it comes with many perks however it’s not always fun and games. As a writer you have no security and can go weeks without any work. Once you have proved you produced your script your work will be and you’ll have full ownership so if it was to be copied you are entitled to royalty payments.  As a writer in some cases you are expected to look smart and professional with a suit on rather than scruffy although that could backfire in other cases as certain people would judge that to be dull, boring and would judge the amount of creativity from it. Also they have to make sure their work looks professionally typed up as that is more like to be taken seriously rather than hand written with scribbles and stains on them. Time management when your screenplay has been optioned is important as you would have to stick to all the deadlines set in order for the finished product to be completed in a sensible time, although freelancers set their own hours. When you aren’t on a job though as a writer you can just work when you want without any set times. When writing you have to take certain legal and ethical considerations. For example, you can’t just copy an existing text and pass it on as your own as this would be breaking copyright laws and you are libel to be prosecuted. That would be plagiarism also. Another aspect to think about would be your explicit content as it is unlikely a film riddled with open sexism or intolerance will be released. As a writer it is best to avoid being overly biased. It’s ok to put across your opinion on something as long as everything you’re putting is true and not exaggerated to make your opinion look correct. As a writer you have to be careful what you write about someone and accuse them of being or doing something they haven’t you are liable to get sued for deformation of character. As a writer it would also be wise to know the water shed rules because if you were to be writing for children you would have to make sure the content is appropriate this links back to OFCOM and BBFC as they’re the bodies that decide what’s appropriate and what isn't.

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[i] Skillset

[ii] Inside scriptwriting seminar June 2011

[iii] Inside scriptwriting seminar June 2011