Multi-Camera Production assignment

In this report I will be analysing the use of a multi-camera set-up and how it is used differently in each show. I will compare then contrast several productions as examples, to explain how this format can vary, along with exploring the positives and negatives of this in comparison to single camera set-ups. Multi-camera set-ups are used for a range of television productions mainly including, soap operas, talk shows, and game shows. This is due to their high demand, for multiple episodes in a short period of time. It is a far quicker way to produce a show, often with live visual editing, as well as being cheaper. Single-camera set ups are known t be used on shows such as Game of Thrones, with a high budget and less time constraints. They produce a higher quality of programme, however take up a lot more time. This is not practical for a show which needs multiple episodes in a week, however is beneficial for seasonal productions, with one series a year. Celebrity juice is an adult magazine show, which discusses recent news, and shows the hosts playing games to win points. The production is usually on at 10pm, due to the inappropriate content, and is hosted by Keith Lemon, Fearne Cotton, and Holly Willoughby. This production uses a multi-camera format, which is mainly used to allow for viewers at home to see the live reactions of the live audience, as this adds to the comfort to laugh factor, the show so famous for. It is rare for Celebrity juice to be set in multiple locations (although this is commonly a key feature of magazine shows), however is does feature pre-recorded clips from other places, and various set ups on the stage. The producers chose a multi-camera set up for this example due to having produce an episode every week, and as I previously explained, this is a quicker tactic to use, along with the show not having a particularly high budget so this is much more efficient . There is usually a close up shot of the main presenter (Keith Lemon), a shot of each pannel, the audience, and a shot of the task they are participating in. For this to be done as a single-camera would take too long, and the audience reactions wouldn’t be as candid. Top gear however uses the multi-camera set-up for different reasons. This show is infamous for their shots of 'The Stig' test driving cars around a track, therefore multi-camera is needed to show a variety of angles around this location. They use other locations as well, which is partially the reason this is a magazine show. As they also produce one episode a week, it would be difficult, and expensive, to produce all of this additional features, along with the simple discussion studio set-up under that time constraint. Multi-camera set up allows for the additional clips to be recorded quickly and efficiently, whilst also making it simple to see the audience interaction in the studio scenes. During the studio elements, there is usually a camera on each individual presenter, a wide shot on all three of them, along with any special guests, and a shot on the audiences as a whole, whilst frequently ending with a high angle wide shot, showing the whole set-up. To reiterate, both of these shows are magazine shows which use the multi-camera set-up. Although Top gear may have had a higher budget than Celebrity juice, it is more financially efficient for both productions to have used this format, due to showing their audience interactions and because of the time constraint which is similar. Although a common negative to multi-camera is a lack in variation of shots, after viewing both, I do not find myself 'unentertained' buy the visuals, as I believe the set-up is appropriate for the content. Reality shows: Reality shows are famous for their relatable characters, and celebrity participants. They can vary from productions such as the Geordie shore, to more constructed shows such as Celebrity Big Brother. 'Geordie Shore is a British reality television series broadcast on MTV. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, it was first broadcast on 24 May 2011, and is the British spin-off of the American show Jersey Shore.' 1 This production is usually broadcasted once a week at 10pm, and uses the multi-camera set-up. In this instance it is due to the multiple locations and large amount of characters involved. The show follows each individual character. They have a shot where they sometimes interview the people after a situation to talk about their emotions, but other than that, it is the usual, one shot on each character, a wide shot on the group, and sometimes two shots on potential couples, or people conversing. Celebrity Big Brother is slightly different. The show follows a group of celebrities who move into a house together, cut off from the outside world. They have to participate in tasks in order to gain luxuries or contact with families. The show has a multi-camera set up due to the fact it has a short time allowance (episodes are broadcast every night during a series). This is different from the Geordie shore, however it does also have multiple locations (rooms), which require covering, so this factor would have also contributed to the choice of format. They both also have a large cast which would be difficult to realistically follow their reactions in a situation under a single camera set-up. Sit-Coms: Sit-coms work due to their verisimilitude. The actors reactions to an event are what makes these types of shows, and although it is scripted, unlike a large proportion of reality TV, the audience thrives of the relatable emotions shown by all characters in situations. For example, F.R.I.E.N.D.S was an American sit-com about 6 friends. It followed the multi-camera format, due to its various locations, and large cast. Sit-coms, are supposed to be relatable, so by including too many close ups, and not enough wide shots of the whole scene, audiences become less interested. This is why F.R.I.E.N.D.S used the basic set up of pair or single shots on the main characters and a wide shot on the group a majority of the time. This set-up is simple yet effective, hence why it is still used on shows such as two and a half men, however occasionally other shots would be used, such as tracking, or panning. How I met your mother, is a sit-com which similar to F.R.I.E.N.D.S follows a group of people through their every day lives. This show uses this format in order to produce the episodes quickly, efficiently and similarly to the shows I have previously mentioned, on different locations. News: News productions are shot on various locations and have to be produced quickly. Commonly the additional clips, are subject to being produced on a single camera, as they only usually include a reporter and extra shots of the scene, however the production on a whole is multi-camera as the studio set up usually includes a minimum of 3 cameras. BBC news usually uses a close up on either one or two presenters in the studio, and a wide shot of both which includes space for the additional clips to be edited in almost like a television. From watching multiple programmes in this genre, this doesn’t seem to vary that often. ITV, SKY and BBC all seem to follow the same basic format. This is probably due to the fact they have the least time out of all the different types of show to produce each episode and the serious nature of the production, doesn’t usually need to be distracted away from. The idea of the news is to be simple and informative, and I believe this is shown effectively through their simple set-up. Soap-operas: Soap-operas are quite common to sit-coms as far as format is concerned. Shows such as EastEnders and Coronation street follow the same concept of following characters through everyday situations and are commonly used for audience escapism. I was unable to find two that were at all different in honesty, due to them all having to be produced so quickly, they appear to follow the same simple concept, of close ups on reactions or characters of interest, and wide shots on the entire scene. Soap operas produce multiple episodes a week for quite a low budget in comparison with seasonal shows such as The Walking Dead, therefore multi-camera appears to be the only solution in order to keep up with the high demand form an audience. In conclusion. Multi-camera set-ups are most common in shows who have to produce episodes quickly. This is highlighted most in the genres of news and soap operas. This is due to the fact it allows for all of the nessicary shots to be recorded in one run through of the scene. They are also used for magazine shows as they include a lot of various locations, which due to the fact these are extra to the studio shots, have to be produced effectively in a financial aspect. They do not give the 'smooth' effect of single camera shows, however produce a good overall quality for a low budget and frequent production.