UNIT 22: Multi-Camera Techniques

Task One (P1,M1,D1) - Introduction

Multi-camera format is a method of filming whereby more than one camera is used simultaneously, meaning multiple shots can be obtained by just one take. This kind of filming is mostly used in live television shows, such as Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, whereby the producers can cut directly from camera to camera giving a quicker and more dynamic effect. The multi-camera format is a much quicker and easier method of filming; as recording is done simultaneously which then reduces time taken to edit the final piece. This method is very important to live shows that are filmed in front of an audience, making it easy to switch feed between cameras. Below in the picture, is an example of a camera setup on a live television show, typically the two outer cameras concentrate on the close ups and the two inner cameras have the wider group shots.

Task Two (P1,M1,D1) - Analysing Multi-Camera Programmes

Task Three (P1,M1,D1) - Exploring Viewer Interest and Communication Through Multi-Camera Programming

The camera, at first, flies down from a birds eye view to give the audience a full view of the stage and the performers. It then cuts to an establishing shot of the back of the room to give a shot of everything, connoting that it is in front of a live audience at some kind of awards show. A variety of shots such as wide shot, extreme close ups and tracking shots are used in combination with different angles and fasting moving zooms and transitions to keep the audience interested and feel as though, they are there watching live, it could also make the audience feel privileged as they have a wider viewing range as oppose to those in the venue being able to see just what they can from their seat.

The clip opens with a long establishing shot, head on view of the runway, which connotes what the show is about. A medium shot is used to show the audience the clothes, which are the main focus of any runway show, whilst having the audience in the background anchoring where it is. The music being used is in rhythm to the speed and movement with the models making it catchy yet sophisticated and interesting for the viewers. A medium head to toe tilt is used to show the outfit from bottom to top, which will interest the audience (obviously having an enthusiasm for fashion, which will be the reason for their viewing). A lot of similar shots are used (for example end of the catwalk long shot, zoom close ups on clothes etc.) I think this is because the main focus of this footage will be the clothes; therefore the camera angles and shots don’t need to be particularly interesting, because the clothes will.

The shots are immediately rapid and the zooms even quicker, this makes the film seem more exciting and urgent, which will make the viewer feel giddy and interested. The clips fade in and out quickly to not give a full view of what it is they are showing, which again creates suspense and enigma to maintain the viewers interest and provoke excited emotions. Sharp images flash on and off screen to build even more suspense and clips of human lungs and skulls are used to connote that the ‘car’ can be compared to the intricate structures of a human body, making it seem more fragile and high gadget. Enigmatic images are used to create a relationship between the connotations and the cars which gives impressions about things such as speed and importance. The cuts are very quick and dynamic to reflect the motion of the cars themselves which will draw in the audience and make them interested and excited.

The clip begins with football league tables and information, which is the main reason to watch match of the day. This will immediately grab the audiences’ attention at is the priority of watching. Then a medium shot of Gary Lineker as he presents the end of the show in front of a football field in the background, will anchor the show and meaning if it was not already known to the viewer. A slow build up, accompanied with suspense creating music, of the football cup zooms in, fading from black with a heaven like beam shining on it to show the importance of this, and a montage of important faces in football slowly flash on either side of the screen, close ups are used to show their emotion and facial expressions with the cup still centre focus, connoting this is their focus too. Highlights of football games then run through quickly showing the main concentration of the show and the main interest of the viewers keeping their attention on the screen.

Task Four (P1,M1,D1) - Mind Mapping Our Ideas

Task Five (P1,M1,D1) - Production Table

Task Six (P1,M1,D1) - Final Shooting Script and Floor Plans

Floor Plans:

Task Seven (P1,M1,D1) - Risk Assessment and Health & Safety

Task Eight (P1,M1,D1) - Evaluation
For this multi-camera unit, the purpose was to create and prepare a live programme that would entertain a live audience; in my own personal opinion we think I achieved this purpose. The primary target audience would be high school children in years 7-9 and the secondary target audience would be those in years 10-13 with the addition of some teachers. I asked a big group of people what they thought.

We asked members of both our primary and secondary target audience what they thought of the programme the responses we got included “I enjoyed the show because it entertained me and I found the content funny.” “I liked the music videos because they were recent and appealed to everyone.” and “it lightened my mood after I had a bad morning.” By receiving such positive comments, my team and I believe it is safe to say that the audience understood the preferred reading. It would be fair to assume that we did in fact achieve the purpose.

I feel that in our Friday World we only gave positive messages, we didn’t want to give any negative messages as the idea of our programme was to entertain and lift their mood, not bring them down and depress them. The programme included both girls and boys to address representational issues and to make it more relatable to both sexes. Ethnic groups weren’t used because there simply wasn’t any available. The location of our multi-camera set up was the TV studio in the school simply for the reason that all the professional equipment was available to us in that room. The language was appropriate for the target audience in terms of the presenter’s mode of address and the choice of words in both the clips and presenting links.

As a method of keeping the audience entertained and interested, we ensured that we used a variety of camera angles and programmes such as a popular music video and a student made short. As I was using the Broadcast Pix mixer in the gallery I was given direct instructions, and I followed our production schedule and script, luckily there were no mistakes made on my part, so the presentation of the programme was very nicely cut and precise. The only mistake was when a microphone of one of the presenters battery died, however the presenter with the working microphone managed to pick up on the complication and took over presenting that specific link. A part from this minor incident the Friday World episode ran smoothly with no other complications or issues. The key skill that I gained from doing this show was learning how to use the Broadcast Pix mixer and I gained experience in terms of dealing with issues under pressure.

In comparison to a similar professional product, it would have some things that would be the same such as professionally made shorts, more cameras and equipment and professionally trained presenters. But obviously they would have some advantages over us, such as better quality cameras and editing equipment. I think I was a good team member, I shared the writing load, which took a lot of time, with my team members, and we bounced off each other with ideas and each brought something different to the programme.