The two main purposes for using the Multi-Camera method could be either Aesthetic or Practical purposes. Throughout this task, I will explain the reason as to why they use this through 7 sub genres that use the Multi Camera technique. These 7 sub genres include:
Live;
- Sports
- Concerts
- Public Events
Studio Productions;
- Game Shows
- Chat Shows
- Magazine Shows
Live Sport
Live Sports being aired will have the Multi-Camera technique because it's important for every aspect of the game is picked up and viewed for the audience at home. If the viewers watched the game with just one shot (which would be an established shot) then it would be very basic and tiring considering it's a long time to watch. I have chosen to analyse the Rugby game between England and Wales at the Six Nations which was played in 2012 as an example of a live sport. Because Rugby involves a lot of running up and down the pitch, it would be very difficult to get all the action in just one camera... Therefore, many job roles come into hand for the many cameras. For example, one person may have a camera that is facing the managers reactions (23:50 seconds), the other camera person may have it facing at some of the audience (29:08 seconds), another covering a large amount of the pitch (32:12 seconds), and another zoomed in close ups of the players (15:31 seconds).
Practical:
The practical reason for using Multi Camera for a live sport game like this one will be to cover the entire game. By this I mean for the camera crew to capture every little thing in the game for the public to witness without missing anything important that happens in the event. Without Multi Camera, you would miss out on the range of shots a live sport covers, e.g. in a Rugby game where someone scores a try and then you see the next shot of the audiences reaction... we wouldn't be able to see the two shots with just one camera due to the fact that it would take quite a few seconds to set up the next shot with just the one camera in another position. The advantage for viewers at home because of this is good as visually the shots will contain close ups, which is a bonus as you are able to see every little action that goes on e.g. at 43:53, the player, Owen Farrell, is about to kick the ball, and we can clearly see his facial expressions of how he's feeling at that moment of time... something audiences at the game wouldn't be able to see clearly.
Continuity is key in media production - and is another Practical reason why a Rugby match will use the Multi Camera technique. If you was to use one camera to film, it would be harder to handle to allow the shots to flow. On the other hand, if you was to use more than one camera, you are able to cut from one shot to another at the same time, with the shot remaining identical throughout. It wouldn't make sense if you didn't use the Multi Camera technique for a live sport, because then you would have to tell the players to re-do a scene, which wouldn't make sense in the game at all. The viewers at home are able to experience the same ideal encounter that the audience at the game has, or even better, due to the fact of the variety of camera shots to keep the game close in detail and interest. An example of a continued scene in different typed shots: 48:46 to 48:52 contains firstly a long shot of a player with the ball and the other team attacking, meanwhile a transition into a close up of the player being tackled. This brings upon an effect for the viewers at home as it sets off an adrenaline rush for them as they would either want the attacked to break free or the attackers to bring them down.
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| Long shot. |
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| Transition into Close-up. |
Aesthetic:
The visual style and mode of address are the aesthetic reasons as to why Multi Camera will be used in live sport. The crew of the cameras reflect on the viewers moods by revealing shots that may have an effect with the use of cutting between the shots. For example, at 1:00:04, Wales are scoring a try after receiving a penalty and manage to score one. At 1:00:11, viewers at home are invited into an insight of some of the audiences reaction at the game, whether to feel to celebrate with them as they're supporting Wales, or to be envious of their celebration because the viewers are English.
Live Concert
No matter what, live concerts will have the Multi-Camera regime. If it didn't, then the viewers at home would get bored of the same single camera shot because it's the same scenery they have to look at. Beyonce performs at a concert in Glastonbury in 2011 in which i'm going to talk about for a live event. There are many cameras covering the whole of the concert with different angles and shot types; long shot, mid shot, establishing shot, close ups. There are many changes in the shots without missing any of the performance, although there are shots of the audience, to give off the exciting mood that viewers at home would feel. There are even zoom in and out shots to emphasise on the action. For example, at 1:08 there is a long shot of Beyonce, and when cutting to the beat, the transtions changes into an extreme long shot at 1:10 with the camera zooming out into an establishing shot till 1:15, to get the atmosphere of the concert. Throughout the 3 times of camera changes: the viewers still managed to see all of the performance like it was filmed on just one camera, yet with the added effects of different type shots and the zooming out, it gave it a more appealing and rhythm to the concert to the viewers. This benefits as more viewers will become intrigued, which means more money will be produced, making it an successful goal for the company.
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| Long shot. |
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| Extreme long shot: zooming out. |
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| Back to long shot. |
Aesthetic reasons for a live concert is the style. Multi camera cuts different typed shots to convey a mood and theme. For example, at 3:34 right at the end of the song, there is a long shot of the dancers and Beyonce on the stage with a low angle to show a clearer image od the sparklers on the celing, this is linked to an established and a slight low angled shot of the audience and the stage at 3:38, followed by another established shot which is high angled as if it was being filmed in a helicopter at 3:39, to then a long shot that is zooming into a mid shot of Beyonce to the end of 3:45. With the help of the type of shots and angles and zoom ins/outs, it makes the concert look to an efficient and well polished standard of a concert, and the viewers at home get to see the event in all types of angles, something the people at the concert wouldn't be able to see. The viewers get to see a mixture of long/mid shots where we can see the dancers and Beyonce dance, an established shot of the whole entire concert with the stage and the audience, making it look like a big event highlighting a close atmosphere, and zoom ins that go into Beyonce to emphasis on the fact that it's all about her as she's in the spotlight. High angles represent the whole nation looking down on the concert at home to make them feel as if they are apart of the crowd, and the low angles signify the power and main person of the show Beyonce is, allowing a type of worship as they are fans.
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| Long, low angle shot of 3:34. |
Live Public Event
One of the biggest public events would involve the Royal family. The birth of Prince George, the death of Princess Diana, and the Royal weddings - these are all famous, worldwide known events that have happened. I am going to talk about the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The event was held on the 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey that even a few people all over the world came over to see to celebrate the happy and important day that would make history. Of course, many cameras would be needed for such a day and event like this, making sure every moment is captured for everyone around the world to see. Every aspect of the wedding was caught on camera, transition from camera to camera was consistent and clean that televised the major parts of the event, to not miss a chunk out. At 58:13, the camera moves swiftly with the car with Catherine in it, and at 58:15, the shot shows a gate where we can no longer see Catherine and the car clearly, quickly the shot transitions into a long shot of the car with the camera following at the same speed of the car, creating rhythm, making it intriguing for viewers at home. It also shows that the cameras are following Catherine's every move for everyone to see what she's up to at that particular time so no one misses a thing. Multi camera helps capture everything that happens at the event, even if something suddenly happened, it would get caught on one of the cameras, whereas if only one camera was being used, it probably wouldn't of caught the action because it was too busy filming something else, making a loss of scenes for viewers at home which wouldn't be fair. For example, at 3:30:05 there is a mid shot of Will and Kate on the balcony, and then suddenly, at 3:30:06, the camera changes to airplanes flying over the Buckingham Palace.
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| Mid shot of Will and Kate looking up at planes. |
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| Sharp transition into a long, low angled shot of airplanes. |
Without multi camera, viewers at home wouldn't of been able to see the amazing scenery of the planes because the shot would have still been on Will and Kate. The variety of shots/angles are practical reasons for the event to be presented in a gratifying way. With multi cameras the shots can change in split seconds from one shot to another to connote a meaning to the viewers. An example of a straight away cut is at 3:31:37, we see a mid shot of Will and Kate waving to the crowd as they are about to go back inside the Buckingham Palace. At 3:31:41 the shot changes sharply to the crowds reaction at a low angle with the shot zooming out revealing the rows of crowds that cover the whole of the pathway to Buckingham Palace. This shows the atmosphere and the form of respect as the crowds wave back at Will and Kate consistently until they reach inside. This is a great captured moment as it conveys the end of a big day on a high note, due to the surroundings of the people's moods of happiness and joy that come together, to make it a special day for Will and Kate. The viewers at home can connect with the vibe that is produced with the crowd because of the cheers and claps they can hear and see. The disadvantage of this technique in a public event is the amount of cost due to the fact that many cameras will be needed for a day like Will's and Kate's wedding. On top of that you have the camera men to pay for. It's also a lot harder than normal because the camera men are controlling the cameras on an extended sized camera, which means they have to make sure they have the shot in the right place from a distance away for the camera. We can clearly see this at 3:22:35, where there are two extended cameras on the right.
Game show
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| High angle of 10:29. |
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| 1. Replay of mid shot. |
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| 2. Replay of high angled shot. |
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| 3. Replay of mid back shot. |
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| 4. Replay of slow motioned mid shot. |
Chat Shows
Chat shows are often quite funny when aired after the Watershed 9pm method because of the adult humor. Multi Camera would be used for a chat show like this because of the upbeat and exciting atmosphere due to the surroundings of the studio, the host - Alan Carr, and the guests that are on the show. Three cameras are used for the welcoming of Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx on the show. In each of these shots, we don't miss a thing. The first shot is a long shot that pans slightly in when the two guests come out at 0:12. The camera cuts into a mid shot at 0:13 of the two guests to get a clearer image of who the actual guests are in case anyone didn't know who they were, or to see their reactions when they are welcomed. At 0:15, the shoat transfers into an extreme long shot where you can see the audience from the back and their excited reactions as they cheer and clap for as Tatum and Foxx wave at them. The viewers at home get a sense and feel of what the environment is like, and for them to feel like they are in the actual audience as they would be sitting where the audience are sitting in the shot.
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| 2. Close-up of Tatum and Foxx. |
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| 1. Long shot of Tatum and Foxx entering. |
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| 3. Established shot. |
A scene where a few cameras are used to cut between different typed shots is between 0:26 - 0:45. Between the two times, Tatum, Foxx and Carr are all dancing to the song that was used to enter the two guests on. This gets the audience, viewers at home, the host and guests in an enjoyable mood as it's entertaining - which is an advantage to the show as it sets the show off to a great start, making viewers at home want to watch more. From 0:26 - 0:32, the shot shows a mid shot of the three dancing and then the camera starts to pan out into a long shot making it look aesthetically pleasing to match the atmosphere of whats happening. Then from 0:33 - 0:38, the shot is a mid shot from the side of the two guests and Carr which then the camera starts to swiftly pan into the three men in a curve as we start to see them from the front again. Then at 0:40 we are shown a close-up of Jamie Foxx for a split second just to see how he's feeling at that moment of time as he gets into the dancing. From 0:41 -43, the shot portrays the three men in a line dancing together as a long but fitted shot. Then finally at 0:44, the shot transfers into an extreme long shot of the three men finishing their dancing and the audience cheering them because it was a comical moment to watch and so emphasises on the mood and atmosphere of the show. Without Multi-Camera, the dancing scene wouldn't of looked as effective as it did with the panning and different shot types as it connects with the rhythm to their dancing, whereas if you was to watch with just one camera, it would of looked more tiring and too simplistic. When they are being interviewed, multi camera must be used to see the host and the two guests. The camera switches from both sides so we don't miss a reaction from the three men. Sometimes, cameras may add in other shots than just viewing the guests and the host on the TV as it may become too casual and predictable. To make the visuals more engaging, for example, at 1:31, the shot shows the two men in a mid shot and how they are intrigued by what Carr is showing them to have for drink. The second shot then shows the drink at 1:32 in a close-up and their reaction of the drink at 1:34 on how they feel about it. The break away to a close-up of the drink made it unpredictable as we expected it to either just be a mid shot of Carr, the two guests or a long shot of the whole setting. A disadvantage on a chat show is that the audience are not shown on tv a lot as they don't want to miss any good footage of the interviewing going on. This could make the viewers at home become uninterested as they might not feel apart of the show as much as they might have done at the start of the show. However, the advantage to the missing of the reactions in the audience is the cheering and clapping of the audience that they can hear loud enough.
Magazine show
The One Show is an example of a Magazine show. The show contains a calm but funny atmosphere. The show uses multi-camera to make it a lot more exciting to watch as they're only sitting down and talking to the guest. At 0:21, there is a mode of address where the man host introduces Benedict Cumberbatch. This makes the viewers have an insight into what is happening and who the person is. We can see from the mid shot of the two hosts on how they're feeling from their body language - that being that they feel relaxed and confident together giving it a calm and collective presence. Multi-camera is able to cut between shots to get both the hosts and guests facial expressions. This is shown throughout but an example of one is at 0:38 one camera is filming a close-up of Benedict to show he's the main person of the show, then at 0:44 the camera cuts to the two hosts in a mid shot because the woman host starts talking which put the focus on what she is saying. Then Benedict spoke again at 0:45 for which the same close-up shot camera that filmed him at 0:38 was used again. Overall two cameras were used for the three shots that were displayed. The rapid cuts of when the person has finished talking and then it goes onto the next person talking - it reminds the audience to take in the info that the shot has shown of that particular person talking which is good because it's likely to be more interesting and important. The audience are likely to maintain their stay and watch the show too. The disadvantage to a show like this is the location. The locations are sometimes changed and you have to make sure that the location is set to a good standard otherwise viewers at home would notice the lack of continuity which is an important thing in media production. Without continuity in shots the show would look unprofessional and untidy which could lead to viewers not watching. The advantage is the camera people as they are good at their job - because this is a live programme - you would need to be professionally qualified as things can go easily wrong. The video I've analysed hasn't got any constraints which shows the camera people are great in what they do.
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| Mode of address. |
Talent Show
Talent Shows like The Voice, Britain's Got Talent, and The X Factor are the three most popular talent shows that are aired in Britain. They all use the multi-camera technique for everything to be captured for the viewers to watch at home, and even better because the audience at the talent show don't get to see the show in different perspectives whereas viewers at home do. I am going to use Britain's Got Talent as an example of a talent show, and I am going to use the old woman and the younger man who salsa together as an example. I chose this clip because I knew the reactions from the audience and the panel would be shown a lot due to the fact that the old woman can dance spectacularly good for her age being nearly 80. An example of reactions being displayed at the start of the dance where it's quite slow: 1:14 a close-up shot of a girl in the audience has her hand on her face which shows that she could fall asleep at any time and then she looks around - showing no interest. Another example at 1:19 of a close-up shot of Simon Cowell yawning shows the emphasis on how boring he finds the act and also because he is known for his bad remarks and speaking his mind - viewers would want to know what his reaction is to the dance so far. When the couple stop and wait for the more upbeat music to come on, they dance with a more exciting and fast approach that matches the song. Staright sway when we see the old woman being spun around at 1:43 which cuts to a shot of Cowell's face dropping in awe at 1:44 as he didn't expect that to happen. Without multi-camera, we wouldn't of been able to see Cowell's facial expression because the one camera would still be filming the performance and only the performance throughout. An example of where we see three shots of the same thing is at 2:54 this displays a long/mid shot of the pair about to do a lift. The shot then rapidly cuts to a high angle shot that pans into the couple at 2:56 and then pans straight back out into a long shot like it's bounced off of their performance. Then suddenly the shot cuts straight to a close-up of the pair at 2:59 to emphasise on the fact that they've finished their performance and the viewers at home get to see their reactions to finishing their dance. Not only do these shots show the dance in different perspectives, but it looks aesthetically pleasing for viewers as the camera shots start to indicate how out of control they are getting with the panning in and out method to connect with the theme of the routine that we've just witnessed. Overall, it makes the show look a lot more exhilarating and engaging as you have the cheers and clapping from the crowds and the music that all collides together with the trainsions of the camera shots - making it all flow and setting a great mood for the viewers which maintains their interest towards the show.
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| Simon Cowell's amazed reaction. |
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| 1. Mid/long shot of the pair. |
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| 2. High angle shot. |
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| 4. Close up of the pair finished. |
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| 3. Panned out into long shot. |
