Single V. Multi

This week we're talking about single v. multi camera shooting. There are pros and cons to both, and while there may be more appropriate times to use one over the other, either can be used (like many things in this industry) at the directors discretion.

Single camera production can be more expensive and time consuming, but the director has more control over the shots. It is time consuming because you have to shoot everything one actor at a time, and repeat the scene many times until you can move on. You also have readjust the lighting between shots, and then have to cut everything back into order later. The director/DP can also get more crucial and different shots as opposed to just having the cameras set up to blanket cover the scene, such as in multi-camera production.

Multi-camera production is quicker and more cost effective, and sometimes just more practical. It is quicker because the DP can film a master shot and cross 2s/close-ups from both angles at the same time. This also can be practical when performing a stunt that is not easily recreated and needs to be fully captured. This production also may work when filming live, as it is very borning to watch a master shot the whole time!

Update 10/29!

So I had the above part written, but I didn't want to post it until we actually did it in class. I think actually doing it was much better and production, at least for me, in terms of really understanding it. We all mostly know about single camera production, since it is what we usually do. Set up the lights and camera, and shoot it -- lather, rinse, repeat. But multi-camera is pretty intricate. Every time we moved a chair or a c-stand, or changed people, all three cameras would have to be readjusted, checked, and probably readjusted again. If something looked good in my camera it may not work in the other two. Everything had to be perfectly coordinated and it took a while! We also had a single-cam production happening with zac and he was basically able to wait around until we were done setting up and ready to start. However, the fact that we did do it multi-camera we know (or at least hope!) we got full coverage of the interview and will be able to cut together and more honest than if we had tried to shoot it 3 times from different angles. That would've worked if we had a scripted show - not an off the cuff interview. But I also think having Zac as our single-cam man, we can get cooler shots than if we just had our 3 stationary cameras. I liked the multi-cam production and also really liked working together as a production class.