2. Task 1: Understanding Multi-Camera
Formats
A multi-camera production is set up of several cameras and
simultaneously record or broadcast a scene. The six main genres of
TV programming that use Multi camera are: sports, concerts, public
events, game shows, chat shows and magazine shows.
The advantages of using multi cameras are that there is more than one
view so there is a lot more footage to choose from. Another
advantage is that it is good to replay in slow motion with live sports
from different angles. Lastly all the shots are filmed at once so
nothing will be out of place or changed.
The disadvantages of using multi cameras are that when filmed in a
certain location you would need to carry a lot of equipment and will
take a longer time to set up.
3. Example 1 - Olympics
The Olympics layout means that their mobile cameras that can easily move around, this will be good
for when they are shooting an event where the Olympian is moving quickly so the camera will
be able to keep up with them. They also have cameras that take a birds eye view of the event
so the viewer is able to see the view of everything that is going on at that time. The Olympics are
at the advantage of also having a camera which is on a wire which allows the camera to move
anywhere in the stadium, at any height allowing the camera to get footage from every angle.
Coverage of the action: the action is live so it is vital that they do not miss any important footage,
the cameras are focused on the athlete so if there is something to see the audience will not miss
it. A disadvantage to this is that if there is something else happening at the same time the
audience will not be able to watch both.
Communicating meaning to the viewer: The audience receive the important information through
the information on the screen, for example the time splits. However not too much information is
given.
Visual style: The screen is used to display information however they organise the information in a way
which does not take their focus away from the athlete.
Maintain viewer interest: The Olympics will maintain the viewers interest by displaying the main
athletes at peak times which will then grab the viewers attention and make them want to watch
more.
Constraints of studio or location environment: Not all events are recorded in the same location so
there will be different footage being taken at the same time and also the camera crew may
get in the way of the sport taking place.
Multi-camera simultaneous recording: All cameras will be on which means that the crew will not miss
anything that happens in the stadium, this will allow the editor to have more footage to edit as
there are more camera shots and if something happened unexpectedly, it will not be missed. A
disadvantage of this is that the editor could cut to a camera which is not focused which may
lead to the audience being given a bad viewing experience.
4. Example 2 - Eastenders
Eastenders use a layout which enables them to save time when editing as the scenes will be shot from
different angles and there is no need for re-lighting so shots will be filmed quicker. However in some
shots they have to be very careful that the audience are not able to see another camera in the
background. The cameras make sure that the actor or actress that is talking is seen. Eastenders does
not film live however there have been circumstances where they have done and problems have
occurred.
Coverage of the action: the action is not live so if they miss something out of something goes wrong they can just re
shoot it. However Eastenders have shot some live episodes, which proved difficult when for example an actor
forgot his line. If this had happened when they were not filming live they would have been able to re shoot this.
Because Eastenders is not live different events that are happening at the same time can still be displayed to
ensure that the audience do not miss anything.
Communicating meaning to the viewer: the audience do not miss anything important otherwise they will not
understand the story which will not give the viewer a positive experience of their viewing.
Visual style: Eastenders visual style is often Long shots if they need to display to the audience the bigger picture of
what is going on. A midshot if the audience need to concentrate on a certain object and they use close ups
when an important conversation is taking place.
Maintain viewer interest: Eastenders maintain the viewers interest by being shown at a time where most people are
back from work and they will often have a capturing story line. Eastenders does not just concentrate on one story,
it will switch between many. Even though someone may not be interested in one story line they will still watch it
because they want to know what is going on in the story line that they do like.
Constraints of studio or location environment:
Multi-camera simultaneous recording: Eastenders multi-camera recording captures many shots from many angles of
the same thing so if one does not look right, then they will use the other. In a conversation two cameras will switch
back and forth and have a close up of the person that is talking at that time.
