Report on Format, Narratives, and Single Camera Production

Single Camera Production

Single camera production is used in producing videos and making films. The single camera is situated on the set and each shot which forms a scene is then taken separately. Each camera shots and camera angles are taken through the same camera then re-positioned to capture more shots and angles. These camera techniques are perfect for filming serials, single drama, and TV series with genres such as thriller, horror, comedy, and sitcoms etc.

The 180 degree rule is a technique which falls under single camera production. It is most commonly seen in films. It involves a 180 degree line which the camera cannot cross. If the camera crosses the continuity, then it will confuse the audience because they won't know if they are looking at each other or at different areas.

Here is an example from V for Vendetta this is the scene when the masked man is having a conversation with the woman. https://youtu.be/HBPvkctfN6Y

The advantage of single camera techniques is that the shots taken can be edited which means that there is no sequence needed. When editing you can add dramatic effect so that the audience can be engaged in the film, it also gives significance. Since you are only using one camera, it isn't as expensive.

The disadvantages of using single camera techniques is that you can only capture one angle at a time and all your footage is on one camera, leading to more time being used in the editing room where you will be dealing with outtakes. 

Multi-Camera Production

Multi-camera production encourages the use of more than one camera and they are positioned to capture multiple shots and angles of the scene in sync. The set must have enough light to encompass all cameras. The process of multi-camera production is much faster than single camera in terms of photography but the quality is lower. It another technique also used in film making. Multi-camera techniques are common in genres such as soap operas, talk shows, and game shows. They are used in live events to capture the reaction of the audience and the whole event.

The advantages of multi-camera is that it saves time. With multi-cameras, you can view the scene from many different angles. You can record live events. Another advantage is that there is less continuity because the scene only appears once. You don't need to edit your footage.

The disadvantages of multi-camera is that there is barely any flexibility for example you try and do the over the shoulder shot because recording equipment will be seen in the shot. Since there will be more of the scene on the shot, compromised lighting would occur since it takes longer to light a multi-camera. The cameras need to record more people so they need to be in the right position so that shadows don't engulf the scene. Cost is another disadvantage because you have to spend money on actors, the equipment, the locations and the camera crew.

Formats

A series is a number of events, objects, or people of a similar or related kind coming one after another. In other words, each episode tells a different story. For example Black Mirror is science fiction TV series. https://youtu.be/7uii0KKUzYg

A serial follows the plot for the entire TV season or the whole TV series. The most common example would be soap operas and thrillers. For instance, Breaking bad is a TV series thriller/ crime drama. It is a serial because it has a plot which is consistent throughout the seasons. https://youtu.be/glBSrGOKSMg

A Single drama is aired once as it provides episodes based on real life situations and convenient for television. An example of this would be Interstellar. Interstellar is a science fiction movie single drama because it reflects on the life pattern. and the scene is shot in space once through a single camera. https://youtu.be/YdSz12Glhlw

Narrative Structure

Linear narratives follow the story from beginning to middle to the end. For example, UP where two characters met since they were kids until they were old age and one of them passed away.  The purpose of this is to let the audience know that it is a linear narrative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G371JiLJ7A

Episodic narratives tell the story through series and episodes. The walking dead is an episodic narratives because there is an episode for each individual character where they face their odds. 
Episodic narratives keep the viewer engaged through different episodes.

Open narratives consist of many characters and no foreseeable ending. EastEnders where Lucy dies and the show is finished. Open narratives leave the viewer in wonder of what is going to happen next. https://youtu.be/jInduWjos9w

Closed narratives include tight reading and it is also a complete story meaning that all ends are wrapped up bringing the film to the resolution. Closed narratives allow the audience to fully understand the story and how the threat has appeared and how it has been destroyed. For example JAWS when Rob Schneider killed the great white shark with a shotgun and in doing so brings the film to its resolution. https://youtu.be/ayE-slnoV7c

Realist narratives are based on real-life situations. Titanic was based on a true story. Realist narratives are often seen as educational and it enables the viewer to visualize the thought of being in the event. https://youtu.be/8JLfqqfNU4o

Anti- realist narratives aren’t based on real-life situations. Anti-realist narratives provide humor or escapism from society and daily drudgery from everyday life. Toy Story is an example of an anti-realist narrative. https://youtu.be/sEF6yWU2cYc

Multi-Stranded narratives involves different characters and separate character existing at once. X-MEN is multi-stranded all the characters were once separated until brought together. Multi-stranded narratives concern the audience about the action and outcome of each strand and how they relate to one another. This is a link of X-MEN days of future past opening scene where the squad battle invading sentinels   https://youtu.be/Kr0AsyIdM5s