Unit 22: multi-camera techniques

Programme formats.
Task 1: Define Multi-camera techniques through a written report or an audio-visual presentation.

Programmes with an audience or a production that needs to be completed quickly are perfect examples of the need of multi-cameras. For example in a live television programme such as the X factor, multiple cameras are needed to captures the reactions and movements of various different people. There are a few advantages to using multi-camera techniques; the main one is being able to capture scenes from different angles and being able to cut them together, making it look as professional as possible. This means there will also be a small chance that there will be the need for any re-shooting of scenes as you have plenty of footage to play with. This also means that the use of multiple cameras is mainly cheaper to use and produce. There is no need to spend a lot of time editing footage from single camera and no need for re lighting. This technique is useful and needed for live programmes, this is because the audience want to get the best possible views of what is occurring. Through this the audience can gain more of a sense of personal involvement as they are getting different angles and perceptions of the production. On a multi-camera shoot in which the cameras focus on a stage area there is normally a 4-camera set up, with two cameras focusing on close-ups and angle shots. The other two cameras focusing on the main stage of the production and generally tend to stay in the same place. The director will have the choice in deciding which cameras are used throughout a live programme. Multi-camera techniques have become more popular in recent years as technology has improved and this genre of programming has become more popular. Some of the first uses of this technique in British programming were in 1936, throughout the years it has mainly been sitcoms and soaps that have used this set up. However in recent years more and more types of filming has the use of a multi camera set up. This is because it has become cheaper to use this technology, also it means that productions can be produced at a faster pace.

Task 2: Create a written report or an audio-visual commentary that explains the techniques used in the clips below.

Kraftwerk:

This video starts off with a was a high to low angle panning shot to establish the location and theme of the video. The use of the ariel tracking shots connote the success of the band, this is as it shows off the vast size of the arena and the size of the crowd. This is followed by another extreme long panning shot and a long shot of the four band members. These shots demonstrate what it might be like to be there and gives a better personal involvement with the audience watching this video. The various range of tracking and angled shots support the technical style of the music, the shots make the video seem almost futuristic, supporting the music and anchoring the audience's attention. The shots also support the change it the different sounds in the music and match the tone of the synthesizer. As the position of the band is static and we cant really see them moving, the varied use of shots make the video more interesting to watch, this means there is less chance that the audience will become bored with watching the same shot for a long amount of time.

Fashion:

There are a lot of high angle panning shots at the start of this video to establish the purpose of this video, which is to show off the clothes in this cat walk situation. This is followed by a long, level angled shot of the fist model walking down the stage, this is the model setting of the catwalk filming. After this there is a low angle zooming shot that shows off the clothes from a different angle. These shots connote the power that the models hold over the show and how they make the clothes come to life. Compared to other multi camera set ups the the camera is quite static, switching from just a few camera positions and then repeating them. The camera keeps returning to eye level to re-establish the importance of the clothes.This technique will also help build a relationship between the person watching the show and the model.

Formula 1:

In the Formula 1 programme, there is the use of a big close up of an exhaust to begin with. This coupled with the sound of it starting and revving, catched any audiences eye. This is followed with some fast paced close ups of a formula 1 race car mixed with some high pitched sounds as the scenes make a transition. These transitions begin to show off the elegance of the car. The advert is filmed in black and white, this demonstates a power that the car has. Everything is colourful now in television, this suggest how it is different and something special to look at. We move on to see some reverse shots and surveying shot. This builts suspence as the shots are very fast paced and the audience only gets to glimpse slight looks at the car. After this we see a close-up shot of a famous formula 1 driver. This use of (ask?) means that the audience can relate to the programme as many formula 1 and sports fans will know of him. Therefore, anchoring the viewers attention further. There is a very technical use of camera angles and a use of special effects to explain the superiority of this racing vehicle, this creates another sense of importance for the viewer. Then we see the scene turn into a game style sceneario, with lots of long angle shots mixed with extreme close-ups of the racing cars. This will appeal to any gamers watching and keep the audience interested further.
Football:
At the start of this video we see information been given to the audience with the view of a digital scoring board. This moves on to a steady close-up shot of the presenter talking further about football. As we see him say goodbye the shot changed to an extreme close-up panning shot of a trophy. Moving onto a medium shot of the trophy, with extreme close-ups of different mens faces beside it. We see a bright light shining over the trophy, suggesting that it has importantance. We move on to see generic scenes of football matches, however this is made interesting by adding slow motion shots of different aspects of the matches to signify positive moments. The fast-paced dramatic music adds tension to the video and adds interest with the viewer.

Task 3: Produce a mind-map of ideas that develops your plan

Task 4: Use the ideas from your mind-map to write a treatment for your programme giving an overview of the programme and how it will be appropriate for your target audience

Our Friday World is going to be friendly and have a comedy effect. We want our show to include a lot of humor from the presenters and the types of video we show. During the show we are going to show a range of videos, the first video will be a well-known music video by the band ‘Outcast’. The song ‘Hey Ya’ is a popular song which everyone can sing along to, we aim to get the audience involved in our Friday World show from the beginning. The next video played will be a video which we made ourselves called the Irritant banana – we based this on a show named ‘Balls of Steel which features a character named ‘The Annoying Devil’. The irritant banana plays tricks on oblivious members of the public, this adds humour to our Friday World programme as the character is dressed in a banana suit preforming slip-stick comedy. The presenters tell short ‘cheesy’ jokes throughout the programme as well. This engages the audience further as they will interact with the presenters to answer the joke. In our Friday World we also wanted to include a Single Camera drama from our Media class because it was an opportunity to see how our target age ranges would act. After we engaged out audience we chose to play a Single Camera drama about the effect of drugs to add a serious element to our show. Then to finish off the show we will play a spoof of two programmes ‘The Inbetweeners’ and ‘the peep show’ named The Outcasts. Our aim was to ensure out Friday World show appealed to a wide age range.

Task 5: Create a final shooting script and floor plan for your multi-camera programme.

Script for Friday World

Camera shots	Sound effects	Audio
Two shot		Alex: (Enthusiastic) Hello and welcome to our special edition of Friday World.
Close-up(Luke)		Luke: (silly voice) Hi I’m Luke.
Close-up(Alex)		Alex: I’m Alex
Zoom out to mid shot		Luke: coming up first we have an outcast video. A popular song to sing along to.
Mid shot.		Alex: As well as the irritant banana, we will find out more about that after this! (OUTCAST PLAYED)
Two shot		Luke: Well we hope you enjoyed that, I know I did ;)
mid shot		Alex: But now…
Back from right to left		Alex: He’s Big
Left to right		Luke: He’s Yellow
Right to left		Alex: And he’s not a marshmallow.
mid shot High shot Low shot Side shot	Dun Dun Dunnnnn	Luke: He’s the irritant banana! (IRRITANT BANANA PLAYED)
Two shot		Luke (sat in banana costume): well wasn’t that fun Alex: oh I’ve got a joke about a banana Luke: go on then Alex: why are bananas never lonely? Luke: I don’t know, why are they? Alex: because they hang around in bunches… Luke: (pause) I find that offensive actually – why say it? Alex: oh, I’m sorry…
Close up		Alex: anyway on a more serious note heres a short documentary about drugs and the effects of it
Mid shot		Luke: well to Lighten the situation here’s the spin off of two very popular comedy sketch shows peep show and the inbetweeners. Alex: with a combination of the two here we have outcasts
Close Up		Luke: Well did you enjoy our Friday World?
Close Up		Alex: We hope you did
Two shot		Both: Byeeeee

Equipment needed for broadcast:

• 2 Camera - Panasonic DVX-100-B video camera's
• 2 Light's2 Chair's
• Presenters - Alex W and Luke S
• Personnel - Jessica B, Ryan S, Alex W, Kieran L, Luke M, Luke S, Keiron S, Tom M.
• Backdrop
• Slate Vision Mixer - Keiron S
• Sound Mixer - Tom M.
• Camera Men - Kieran L and Luke M.
• Producers - Jessica B and Ryan S.
• Live Feed to hall and studio from gallery
• Screen
• Monitor in studio