Single camera assignment update
- 1. ccSingle Camera Assignment There are two types of video production techniques; single camera and multi-camera production. A single camera setup is when only one camera is used and is used in most dramas, documentaries, and comedies. Each shot and camera angle is taken by only one camera unlike a multi-camera format, where there is a camera for every angle and shot needed in a particular scene, which they are then moved to show these different perspectives. Single camera setups are usually used as it is cheaper than using multiple cameras. It also allows the editor and director to be more creative, and works well with a small crew. However, it is quite time- consuming, limited and hard to reproduce scenes.
- 2. DRAMA The drama TV series I have chosen to analysis is Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock is of the crime, mystery and drama genres. Camera techniques A technique used in Sherlock is this Bullet time effect. This is a visual effect/impression of detaching the time and space of a camera from that of its visible subject. During the wedding photograph scenes, everyone stood still whilst the camera panned around. It seemed as if time stood still while the camera moved around. Sherlock uses a variety of camera angles and shots throughout the TV series.
- 3. In this image an over the shoulder shot reveals the protagonist character and the victim’s emotions about Sherlock's arrival. The women seems very pleased and thankful, she now has some hope however it is still evident she is fearful and anxious due to her fidgeting quite a lot. Whereas the man, who is the antagonist character remains stiff and does not seem remorseful, which highlights the seriousness of this. As well as the prop of a gun portraying fierceness. In this shot it portrays Sherlock's body language as being authoritive as it shows that he is powerful and in control of the situation, his chest out could show that he is quite smug and self-assured, because he is confident in his role. The use of the props in the room of tinsel and a Christmas stocking to decorate this room shows that it is a close time to Christmas, this conveys that there should be a joyful atmosphere instead of a gloomy and dark energy. The use of a stocking also suggests that she has a child/children and that is even more reason to spare her life.
- 4. Whereas here, a dolly shot is used which follows him over to the other side of the room, along with the diegetic sound of Sherlock speaking. A sound bridge is used as Mrs Hudson speaks. The first piece of dialog is heard from Sherlock as he says “Don’t sniffle, Mrs Hudson”. Thus, I establish that he is British, and from London this is due to his accent and a stereotypical Londoner is portrayed as being quite snobby. He never removes his cloak although he is inside which reveals he is not fearful and thinks that he can easily save the women without any hassle and in no time. His hands are crossed behind his back to show a lack of respect and conceit. He walks very slowly and calmly and never closes the door which may show that he wants someone to help him or is waiting for someone.
- 5. He remains in contact with the man whilst speaking until he stops walking, which shows he will not take any risks by not keeping eye contact with man, this shows the man is very dangerous, and finally Sherlock remains calm although the man has a gun to the women’s head and she appears tearful and terrified. Shot reverse shot is demonstrated as the camera shows close ups of two peoples hands, this is done to contrast them, I believe that the other person is a woman because she has nail polish. Also, it shows the reactions of characters. In these two shots, Shallow focus is used to show how important it is for him to find this clue. The genre becomes evident due to the star system that it is a fiction detective movie because Sherlock is looking carefully for clues as shown, Sherlock is discovering what action has taken place on this wall. He carefully reaches over to the wall hesitating to touch it, mean whilst the women is scratching on the wall very forcefully portraying that she is desperate and also weak against these men. She may also be scratching the wall
- 6. so that Sherlock notices this clue and can therefore utilise flashbacks as shown. The lighting continuously changes from high key to low- key lighting. The man’s scene is in high key lighting, contrastingly the women’s scene of her hands is in low- key lighting, and this is because the women’s scene is dark and terrifying whereas the bright light of the man’s hand portrays hope. Graphic match is used here as the two scenes are very similar however it is a flashback. Music is still playing, as well as diegetic sounds of gasps from the women and scratching sounds to make the scene more dramatic. Usually in drama, text messages can become evident using a close up shot so that the audience are able to read it. However, in Sherlock Holmes, text messages are displayed on screen for the audience to read.
- 7. Another technique used in Sherlock is Deductions. Using deductions, we are able to see what goes on in Sherlock’s mind live, as he is thinking about it.
- 8. For example, in this shot, deductions are shown when Sherlock evaluates the antagonist’s body. This is because he is deciding what vulnerable place he should target him in. The camera technique used is shallow focus. The sound is as if he is using a gun in a video game which shows he is quite immature and may not actually have a gun. It sounds like he is looking for a target which he is, this is a parallel sound. More examples: In the series, many of the establishing shots, mostly of London are miniature replicas used as a cheaper alternative method to aerial
- 9. shots. They become very realistic using tilt shift and very good lighting. Throughout the TV series, continuous objects are used in order to cover and create engaging scenes as shown: Lighting Overexposed backgrounds are also common in Sherlock. This is done in order to create dramatic effect in that frame. This can be seen in this shot: Throughout Sherlock the aperture is usually very narrow, therefore the scenes are quite dark but very sharp and
- 10. clear for the audience to see and therefore there is usually a shallow depth of field. Just as the aperture affects the exposure as well as the depth-of field, the shutter affects more than just the exposure. The shutter speed is also predominantly responsible for controlling the amount of blur in a picture. In Sherlock, when paused there is barely any blur and therefore the shutter speed is quite high as the camera is taking the picture very fast. Frame rate DOCUMENTARY The documentary I have chosen is Planet earth, this was made possible by millions invested into equipment and filming techniques. Planet earth was filmed over 117 shoots in 40 different countries, using gyro-stabilised cameras, drones and even paragliders. The technological developments that make the series so visually spectacular include smaller, lighter cameras and HD formats which effectively bring us closer to the animals, giving us an extraordinary intimacy with their world. The hatchling marine iguanas’ great escape was filmed from the air by drones, and on the ground by two cameramen, one with a tripod, and the other with a hand- held unit. ‘4K’ cameras were used throughout, allowing very clear, sharp images to be captured although in low light, which is useful for shooting wildlife, as they are
- 11. frequently active first thing in the morning or at night. The high image resolution also allows the film-makers to zoom in on the action from further away without losing quality. Camera traps were used to detect any movement. Planet earth was able to capture this image of a Lion crossing the ‘Okavango River’ which arises only once a year. Elizabeth White, who is one of the show’s producers said “During a storm a huge wave came in over the cliff, and doused one of our cameras”. “We were seven days from the Falklands, there was no chance of us getting another camera, so we were trying to dry it with heat packs and the cameraman was sleeping with it in his sleeping bag trying to warm it up”. This conveys the difficulties that can be faced with single camera production, which would not have occurred with multiple cameras. Planet earth created a narrative of everyday life in the dessert to hold our attention and enable us to have a better understanding. The producers show us a Lion, and then an antelope The camera then follows the lion and
- 12. antelope is shown running to portray how lions survive in everyday life.
- 14. In planet earth, I think that the aperture was quite narrow and had a full depth of field, displaying sharp and clear scenes throughout. The shutter speed in planet earth was very fast as once paused there was barely any blurriness, the animals and scenery was still very detailed and strong. These tools enabled this documentary to show extraordinary footage which was very clear and sustained interest of the audience. ADVERT The advert I have chosen is Cadburys. The 90-second advert for Cadburys chocolate in 2007, starred Garson Michael as the giant ape bashing along to Phil Collins's, ‘In The Air Tonight’. Single Camera VS Multi Camera Production Advantages of single camera production include it allowing creative control to interpret the script, it is easily editable and allows the producers to shoot quicker,
- 15. in one location. As well as saving costs for travel and only using one camera. Single camera production reduces the cost of the whole production, the type of format puts the product makers at a benefit, this is because, as single camera shots tend to cut individuals out in close up shots, conversations, this means that only one person is required and another actor can be used in place of the original co-actor for the meanwhile. By doing this, producers will save money and actors time, as they will only pay them for the scenes they do and when doing a large production, involving many big actors, production expenses can be large figures. Therefore, if the team can replace large actors in the meanwhile, they can save themselves a lot of money and also be able to shoot for the other actor, whenever they are available to shoot. In contrast, there are many advantages of multi camera production such as the process being much easier, quicker, and efficient than the previously mentioned format as it is in real time. This is because the lighting does not have to be changed, sets do not have to be set up again and continuous shooting can be done, using arrange of cameras. Due to the set-up of the cameras, the shots can be mixed live and edited from different cameras for a better effect.