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1. Unit 20- Single Camera Technique:
Single camera technique is when a production such as documentaries, dramas and
comedies use just one camera for filming. This is more money efficient than multi-
camera filming which uses multiple cameras in a production to film such as the
news, live tv and certain movies/tv shows. The reason why the single camera
technique could be cheaper for certain projects such as cooperate videos because
there is only one camera however for tv shows using single camera technique won’t
be beneficial because the days for filming will be longer because if there is a
dialogue scene between two people the camera has to be cut and moved constantly
and if retakes of a scene need to be done then this costs the company more time
which makes the days longer. Also, if a dialogue scene needed to be recorded from
different angles the actors would have to recite their lines multiple times and
sometimes this can make the actors lack emotion because they have to repeat the
same lines constantly and they may have to stop half way through a scene so the
crew can move the camera which overall can make the scene less effective.
Although the single camera technique is easier to have a variety of shots within the
production which could engage the audience more than having barely no movement
when using multi-camera technique which will overall interest more people in the
production as a variation of camera shots will make the production look more
interesting and appealing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy7ztJ3NUMI
This particular shot in The Shining uses a Steadicam as the camera tracks slowly around the
hotel following the character. The floating camera technique gives the audience an eerie
and unsettling atmosphere when watching this scene which could allow them to think there
is something sinister following the child around the hotel and stalking him whilst he’s riding
through the halls, this can make the audience feel worried or scared for the child because
they think something could attack at any point and this engages the audience and males
them feel like they are there in the movie themselves. The reason the camera is constantly
behind the child is to show whatever is beyond the child is unknown and this creates a
sense of mystery. The Steadicam allows for handheld operation, but mechanically isolates
the operator's movement, allowing for a smooth shot, even when the camera moves over
an irregular surface. This allows the camera man to move freely around the full set,
something that would have been impossible to achieve with a standard tracking shot or
with a larger fixed mount camera. Also, within the same clip when the child stops the
camera then becomes stationary by using a tri-pod which allows for the shots to be still and
clean and this has limited movement because it is stuck at a certain point on the ground.
The reason the camera becomes stationary is because the camera is following the same
actions as the child to build suspense and make the audience curious. Then the camera cuts
to a low angle shot looking up at what the child can see and using selective focus the child
becomes out of focus and all the focus is put onto the door number to show there is
something more significant than the child, this also creates a sense of mystery and suspense
because the audience will wonder what is behind the door. Yet again a tri-pod is used to
show a clean and steady shot which is only in a specific place. The reason the camera is

2. placed this low down is to show/put the audience in the child’s shoes and shows them how
the child sees the door. The camera then proceeds to rise slightly as the child stands up to
show the audience what the child sees and using the tri-pod it continues to be a steady shot
and fixed in a certain position but this allows the director to show create tension and allow
the audience gain emotion for the child by making them feel worried because the
atmosphere created is spooky and eerie still.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z59a7mT3uSo
Throughout the tv show Modern Family single camera techniques are used because it allows
the director to be more creative with what they capture on the camera and also it allows
the audience to feel as though they are really there because the camera isn’t switching from
different angles constantly which happens when using multi-camera production. The
camera acts as though it is the audience’s eyes and doesn’t rapidly switch position which
could confuse the audience. Using a shoulder mount which allows for the shots to be filmed
clearly and not shaking which can give it a better look. However, because the shoulder
mount isn’t stuck in one place there is no limitations to the movement of the camera.
Although using a shoulder mount gives a smooth and clear look to the material recorded
and can over make the final product look a lot better and clean. In conclusion using a
shoulder mount can ultimately make the audience enjoy the material more because it
makes them feel although they are the ones recording the footage they are watching
because of the occasional shaking of the camera due to the camera man’s hands. This effect
of making the audience feel as though they are the ones recording the footage cannot be
done with most equipment and look as professional and clean as it does when using a
shoulder mount because most equipment is designed to stay as still as possible which can’t
allow the audience to feel as though it is them holding the camera. Throughout the video
the camera consistently zooms in and out on either a group of people or on a specific
person and this is done to enthesis how stressful and fast pace the scenario is unfolding.
This shows how the main female in this scene is extremely stressed out and worried about
what she has to say because of the consistent number of zooms onto characters to show
you their current state and then once the news has been broken to them the camera shows
the group all together to show that the situation is now less stressful and full of suspense.
Also the camera cuts, repositions itself and then continues to record to show the scene is
busy so it makes the audience feel as though the camera s constantly moving because there
is so much happening in the scene. This makes the audience feel as though they are there in
the busy situation because their point of view is constantly changing because of the camera
repositioning itself to emphasis how busy and stressful the scene is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I
In the music video “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, single camera production is used to show
the audience what is happening within the video and it shows it clearly. Using this technique
to record the music video allows the directors to clearly show the audience exactly what
they want them to see because there are no limitations on where the camera can be placed.
A tri-pod is mainly used throughout the video to show the audience everything which is in
the scene and not leave the audience curious as to why only aspects of a scene was shown.
Considering the director has the ability to show everything in a scene he or she also has the

3. ability to hide things which can create mystery and tension within the music video to keep
the audience interested in what’s happening, or even to emphasize certain points in the
video that is taking place. For example, at 2:18 the camera is placed behind the man and
shows the singer in front of him but we are unable to see what he looks like and this will
create a sense of mystery for the audience. The effective use of the camera shows this shot
to be smooth and clean which makes it more appealing to look at and it clearly
demonstrates the message which the director wanted to get across. Within the video at
0:50 the camera shows a long shot of one of the dancers I believe crouched down in a weird
position and the camera is at the actor’s eye level which allows the audience to feel as
though they are right in front of you and this makes it feel personal for the audience. The
way the camera is positioned is unusual for a music video and this shows the audience that
even the style the video is captured in is unusual just like the actors within the video. Also at
1:02 there is a close up of an actor which is done to show the audience how unusual the
people are in the situation within the video, this make the audience feel confused or
creeped out because of how unusual the music video is however this could also interest
them because the video is unique and not many music videos have a story line like this.
The single-camera setup originally developed during the birth of the classical Hollywood
cinema in the 1910s and has remained the standard mode of production for cinema in television.
Single-camera comedies were prevalent into the early 1970s. With its large cast, varied
locations, and seriocomic tone, the TV series M A S H was shot using single-camera style.
Happy Days began in 1974 as a single-camera series, before switching to the multi-
camera setup in its second season.
Example 1:

4. Example 2: