By Jack Archer, Alex Duckett and William Laufs.

TECHNICAL RESEARCH:MULTI- CAMERA…

This multi- camera method is primarily used in filmmaking and involves the use of two or more cameras recording simultaneously with no interruptions.

As well as documentaries, this filming technique is often used in: Talk shows, concerts, soap operas, sporting events etc.

The camera used, are set up in various positions so that an array of shot types of the subjects can be recorded

What is meant by ‘Multi- camera’?

What is the classic set-up for the multi- camera technique?

• This is the classic design for the multi- camera technique. Cameras 1 and 2 are used to record close up shots of the subjects (i.e. A and B). This is to create focus on the two ‘most active’ characters on set.

• Cameras 3 and 4 are used to shoot a wider shot to capture all of the action within the filming space.

• This is a technique that not only we need to practise, but also want to use when filming for our documentary and possibly even during the photography stage when producing our film poster as we can then capture various shot types at various angles for comparison.

There are two types of multi- camera production.The first type is the use of a vision mixer, where the

shots are changed by changing the channel whilst being filmed live.

The second type is where content is recorded on a ‘tape’ and is added on later post-production.

For our documentary, we feel that it would be ideal to utilise both methods of multi- camera where possible. As our product is a documentary however, we are going to mainly use the first technique, as our product would not be broadcasted live, like “X Factor”, for example.

What types of multi- camera are there?

ADVANTAGES:Filming is QUICKER as scenes are able to be shot far

more quickly due to not needing to re-light the filming space and adjust camera angles etc.

Filming is MORE EFFICINET as this technique saves editing time as it reduces the likelihood of continuity issues.

Using this technique creates a high level of CONSISTENCY.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this technique?

DISADVANTAGES:There can be issues with LIGHTING, as there is less

optimised lighting that provides a compromise all camera angles.

There is a LACK OF FLEXIBILTY as it can be complicated when making sure that no equipment is visible on camera, meaning there is less space for important sound equipment. This could be a potential issue for us when we are filming interviews etc.

In addition, in the real world this technique is MORE EXPENSIVE than using a single camera on set.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this technique?

The initial concept of multi camera was introduced when the BBC used 3 cameras simultaneously to film their first TV drama “The Queen’s messenger” in 1928.

Using this technique then became commonplace in the BBC after 1936.

This technique then became very popular in 1951 as many well know production companies and shows took on this technique such as shows like “I Love Lucy”.

History of the Multi- camera technique…

The technique was then developed for television in Hollywood by producer and director Jerry Fairbanks and was first seen in Hollywood in the series “The Silver Theatre”, which was broadcasted in 1950.

In 1970, Gary Marshall developed the technique further by adding a fourth camera on set. This was first introduced when filming for the series “Mork and Mindy”, starring Robbin Williams.

Due to the success of this series, many TV shows nowadays have adopted this technique.

History of the Multi- camera technique (CON)…

Gary Marshall

Due to our limited filming period, it would be more beneficial and easier to use multiple cameras when filming important content such as interviews etc. This technique could also be important when photographing for our posters in order to capture different angles for comparison purposes.

In addition, we feel that the maximum cameras that should be on set at one time should be a maximum of three due to the limited size of our group and therefore manning more cameras is more difficult.

What can be concluded from this research?

However, if we need to film something (i.e. for montage footage) that we know can be filmed in one take, it would be a lot easier to use a single camera.

What can be concluded from this research (CON)?