Single and multi-camera techniques
Single camera – Single camera method of production is a method if film or video production. A single camera is shot in the set and each shot is to independlently make up a scene. There is an alternative method called “a single-camera” which is more widely used but this method two cameras are used to shoot the scene, one to capture the medium shot of the scene and the other to capture a close up during the same take. This way saves time as there are half as man set-ups for each scene. Action films will use three or more cameras to capture multiple angles as action scenes take a great deal of time for only second to a few minutes of footage. A multi-camera setup consists of multiple cameras arranged to capture all of the different shots of the scene, and the set must be well lit to accommodate all the camera setups. The single camera setup gives the director more control over each shot; however it is more time consuming and expensive than multiple
camera.
Multi camera – Multi camera method is several cameras set to shoot a scene. It is often contrasted with single camera setup. The two outer cameras will generally shoot close ups or “crosses” of the two most active characters, while the central camera/s shoot a wider master shot to capture the overall action and establish the geography of the room. This way multiple shots are obtained in a single take without having to stop and start the action. Shooting scenes in multi camera saves editing time because scenes may be shot far more quickly as there is no need for re-lighting and the setup of the alternative camera angles for the scene to be shot again from a different angle.
