Unit 35 - Multi Camera
Unit 35 - Multi Camera
Unit 35 - Multi Camera
Techniques
Multi Camera Setups
Multicam is a filming technique which involves the use of multiple cameras to film an event or
programme.
The iconic multi camera shooting method is typically made up of two or more cameras which
are situated in different positions on a subject. These cameras simultaneously run from the very
beginning of a broadcast, tv programme or film to the very end without any interruptions or
stopping. All of the cameras involved in a multicam setup carry out appropriate actions given by
the director via a talkback communications system.
Multi camera setups are used both in non narrative and narrative situations. A few instances
where multi camera setups come into play in narrative productions include soap and serial
dramas like Holby City, live dramas like when Eastenders go live for anniversary or Christmas
editions, and in sitcoms like Friends. They are also frequently used in non narrative
broadcastings such as live events like the Wimbledon tennis championships, music events
such as festivals like Glastonbury and chat shows/tv panels/game shows like The Jonathan
Ross Show and Deal or No Deal.
Multicam setup’s are also used in both location and studio based filming circumstances. A few
examples of a location based multicam setup includes soap operas like Hollyoaks. Additionally,
instances where multicam setups are used in studio based filming circumstances include chat
shows like Piers Morgan Life Stories.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
Multi Camera setups are extremely beneficial in the sense that most if not all scenes can be shot a lot quicker as there isn’t
a need for the additional set up of different camera angles and re-lighting for scenes to be filmed again from a different angle
as all the cameras from various angles are filming simultaneously to record the coverage of all the action occurring. This
setup is also advantageous for editors as it can potentially save time due to the fact that it limits the complexity of tracking
any continuity problems that occur when scenes are shot from different angles.
Disadvantages A disadvantage that come with a multicam production includes the fact that it can be quite expensive. This is
because of the fact that a significantly larger production team is needed in order to smoothly carry out the show. Also, the
process of setting up the equipment for a multi camera production is a lot longer and more time consuming due to the fact
that there are multiple cameras that are required to be set up, but shooting time is significantly reduced.
Roles And Responsibilities Of MultiCam Set up’s
Presented below is a list of the different roles and responsibilities carried out by the production team in order to successfully carry out a
multicam production.
● Camera Operator - the camera operator is the person or people who control the cameras. If in the instance that it is a multicam
production, more than one camera operator is needed. The main duty of the camera operator is to ensure that coverage of the
action is taking place. It is vital that camera man/woman follows all of their orders (camera directions) given by the director. Via
talkback. They are also responsible of ensuring that all cameras are set up and ready for filming. Camera operators might operate
a:
● Dolly - a dolly is a cart on wheels which specialises in producing smooth horizontal camera movements.
● Body rig - a body rig is a camera mount which is attached to a person’s body. It allows the camera man to get up close and personal
to the subject and produce smooth shots.
● Jib arm - a jib arm is a long handheld device which moves around in a see-saw motion and captures footage of the subject with the
camera on the end of it. It’s useful for getting long shots of a subject.
● Sound Mixer - the main responsibility as a sound mixer/engineer is to make sure that all audio/ sound levels are appropriate at all
times and making sure that they are balanced and within legal limits. This includes any sound effects (particular noises in game
shows) and the intro and outro music. They must also ensure that the microphones used by the presenter and guests are all
working properly and turned on and off at the correct times so that the audience are able hear all dialogue loud and clearly. Sound
mixers run from an annotated script where all their cues have been clearly labeled to their needs.
● Vision Mixer - the main role and responsibility of the vision mixer is to alternate between the different cameras to provide a live edit
of the footage whilst the production is being shot if it’s a live broadcast. It is important as a vision mixer to understand the creativity
of when needing to mix visual footage and images together through the use of fades, cuts and wipes.
● Director - the role of the director is to give direction to the camera operator, ensuring consistency of the style of programme in
terms of camera work. It is the directors responsibility to ensure that the film/show/programme keeps within the designated time
scale and stays on schedule (including ads as they have paid to be there) given as failure to do so could possibly result in a large
Roles And Responsibilities Of MultiCam Setup’s
● Set designer - the role of the set designer is to produce the layout of the studio depending on the genre of what is being shot. As the set
designer, it is vital to have a good eye for decoration and precise attention to detail. It is their responsibility to ensure that the finished set
looks aesthetically appealing as this will assist in attracting the audience. The set designer is also in charge of the props.
● Lighting desk - this is someone who controls the lighting in the studio or on stage and decides on the best way and position for the
lighting to be setup and focused on. These choices are generally made by the director and what he or she thinks will look best from the
audience's point of view.
● Floor manager - the role of the floor manager is to organise the studio staff and live audience. The floor manager liaises between the
control gallery and studio floor before and during the production. It is also the floor managers responsibility to cue in the presenter at the
start of the programme and after breaks or any kind of graphics that have begun.
● Graphics Generator - the role of the graphics operator is to sort out the name tags (including captions) and layout of the opening title
for when the show commences and any straps or replays needed.
● VT Operator - the role of the VT operator is to cue and ready any video inserts, titles, on screen graphics and any visual schemes. They
also have to make sure that the video segments and any instant replays are in time with the running order set by the production
assistant’s and the running director.
● Presenter - the main role of the presenter is to read the autocue at the beginning of a show. This can also involve a production assistant
instructing him/her on what to say through his/her earpiece and then them saying it. However, the presenters play a part in developing
the script in the sense that, when rehearsing, if a line doesn’t sound right, they offer feedback so that the script can be adjusted
appropriately.
● Boom Operator - the role of the boom operator is to provide the appropriate audio coverage, keep an eye on the audio balance and
capture the atmosphere of the studio (ie. clapping or mumbles of agreement/disagreement).
● Production Assistant - the role of the production assistant is to give the director all the information about the timings. For example,
countdowns, measuring the running time so that they can let the director know how much longer they have got to go and confirm any
running orders that there might be.
Purpose of Multicam Set up’s
Coverage of action - Multicam setups are extremely beneficial for getting a lot of coverage of an action. The reason being is due to the
higher amount of cameras being used not to mention the placement of each of them. Multicam set-ups are able to cover a larger area of a
shooting location and allows for numerous shots from multiple different angles of one particular area. An example of this includes shows like
‘Dancing On Ice’ where multicam set-ups are used in order to focus on the dancers feet capturing the skillful leg work from several point of
views.
Communicating meaning to the viewer - Multicam set-ups are also used for capturing the emotions, expressions and reactions of
characters. The reason why I believe multicam set-up specialises in doing this is because the vision mixer is able to instantaneously cut
from one camera to another just in time to capture each individuals’ expression as they are happening. For example, in a show like ‘Deal or
no Deal’, just as the banker makes a substantial offer to gain possession of his or her box, the vision mixer could quickly cut over to one of
the other contestants with a close up shot of their facial expression just after. This is advantageous as it assists in making the viewer feel
like they are part of the show, or in the live audience and creates meaning through tension or excitement.
Maintaining viewer interest - Multicam set ups are also used in order to keep the audience interested. For example, if someone was to
watch a football game from the comfort of their own home, they would find it quite dull and boring watching the whole 90 minute game from
solely one angle. However, with a multicam production, the camera operator is able to cut from one shot to another, zoom in and out (at the
instruction of the director ) and the graphics team are able to do replays after goals being scored as many times as he or she desires
accordingly to the game. All of this can be done because of the numerous amounts of cameras that have been set-up across the entire
stadium. This makes watching the game feel more intense as the viewer will feel like they are in the stadium or even on the pitch
themselves.
The Big Bang Theory
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (TBBT) is an an example of a narrative multi camera studio based recorded as live in front of a live audience
sitcom, but it’s not aired live it’s recorded to be post produced. It is an American sitcom which is filmed in a studio with a live audience
however, frequently has on location filming in instances where a segment in an episode takes place outside on the street or in a cinema.
These short sequences are not shown as live (unlike shows such as Question Time) and do not have a live audience reacting
(laughing/gasping/clapping) as the segments are being recorded. It is extremely beneficial to film in a studio as opposed to outside as
the production team have more control of the environment. In order to achieve a successful live broadcast for the show, the floor
manager speaks directly to the live audience explaining the premise of scene before it’s recorded so the audience know how to react.
Beforehand, there is probably a warm up comic, or the cast come out and inform the audience of the overall narrative before they film
the sequence and after they finished shooting a sequence, in order to link it to the following sequence.
TBBT is filmed in segments which are then edited together into episodes in a series, which are then aired. The use of the iconic big
bang atom moving image/graphic across the screen every so often throughout each episode suggests ellipses and a change of time or
space.
Prior to filming, the studio stage set (soundstage) is marked on the floor so actors know where to position themselves for camera and
lighting.
The overall narrative for the sequence discussed is Sheldon’s efforts to become the new Professor Proton - a children’s TV show
scientist
The Big Bang Theory
In order to precisely synchronise sound, a clapperboard comes into play. The runner for the floor manager deals with the audience gets the
audience warmed up prior the show commencing. Once the show is running, the boom operators are positioned on either side of the
audience so that they can pick up the live reactions of the audience as they happen. This is so that these sounds can be edited into the final
edit ready to be aired.
Before the show commences, each member of the cast are mic’d up. They then do a sound test to ensure that everything runs smoothly when
recording for the final piece.
The camera set up for the sequence i looked at included a camera on each couple (amy and sheldon, penny and leonard), and then the
master shot which included all of the characters in a single shot together. The dynamic of this was mostly of the three people sitting on the
sofa. The reason for this is due to the fact that this where most of the dialogue was taking place.
The main purpose of using the multicam setup when filming TBBT is to get as much coverage of the action as possible as well as saving time.
This is done by capturing clear shots of the reactions and facial expressions from the characters and gaining performance action. This is done
through the constant change in varying camera angles which produce different camera techniques like over the shoulder shots and shot
reverse shots, typically to show conflict or a normal conversation between two or more characters.
Emmerdale
Emmerdale is an example of a narrative, on-location, pre-recorded multi camera serial drama. The fact that it is a pre-recorded drama means that
money and filming time is drastically saved, however the time schedule still remains tight as things like ad’s shown between the drama and after
pay to be shown. All of the episodes for the serial drama are scripted which is beneficial as this gives the whole production team and cast more
preparation time so that they comfortably know in full detail what they are going to be shooting and how they ideally want it to look. This means for
the multi camera team that Although, this also means that a lot more detail is needed when producing the script and script meetings will have to
be held in order to break down the heavily annotated script to the rest of the production team in order to create the vision that the director is going
for.
The main purpose of using the multicam setup when filming Emmerdale is to save as much time as possible. This meaning obtaining clear shots
of the different reactions from the characters and gaining performance action. It’s done through having one camera take the master shot and
others on each character involved for reaction CUs or MCU to maintain drama and the director then instructs the vision mixer to cut between the
master shot to establish time space and the relationship between the characters and then SRSs of the characters to create the drama.
All the episodes in Emmerdale are typically filmed at a controlled set which is specifically designed and the location is a controlled environment
solely for the purpose of filming. The reason for this is because it means that there is a lesser chance of interruption from the general public and
they can set up lights, control the sound of the environment and put marks on floor so actors know where they should be at all times whilst
shooting.
In order to capture all of the spoken dialogue and other sounds that are heard within episodes of Emmerdale, a boom operator comes into play.
He or she has the role of dangling a shotgun microphone (which is attached to the boom pole) over the character's head and discreetly follows
them around capturing every word of dialogue as clearly as possible whilst trying to be out of the shot at all times. They might also be microphoned
up instead.
Emmerdale - Overhead diagram
Emmerdale
Like most soaps nowadays, Emmerdale occasionally broadcast one off live episodes when they hit certain milestones (for example the
40th anniversary) or on special occasions (like Christmas). Although these episodes are quite entertaining to watch and come out
looking of a high quality, there are several problems that the production team may face. For instance, constant interruptions from the
general public (fans) and audio complications.
In order to achieve the high quality lighting that it seen on Emmerdale at all times, the lighting team would have to set up the lights
prior to filming. This drastically saves time in set as it means that when the cast arrive on set, everything is good to go and the
shooting can almost instantly commence.
During the pre production stage, the director plans out the appropriate camera positions and shot types.
Question Time
Question Time is an example of a non narrative debate programme. Each week on Question Time , different guests stars come
together for an episode and discuss various political issues on a panel ranging from current British political affairs to issues raised
regarding schools. The set used to film Question Time is typically on location however, each week there are different indoor or outdoor
venues, for example in a university. In a typical multicam set-up on Question Time, approximately seven cameras are used. In the
opening sequence of every episode of question time, no matter the differ in location, the set for the show is what brands the show. It
constantly remains the same regardless of what venue they are in. The reason why this is done is to keep up the consistency of the
visual style of the show (the backdrops, the actual panel the guests are seated at and the big ‘Q’ on the floor).
Multicam set-ups are used when filming Question Time for several reasons, one of being to prolong and maintain the viewer's
interest.The way in which a multicam setup successfully does this is by constantly varying the angles and making use of the camera
technique ‘shot-reverse-shot’, for instance as the panelists debate with one another and the audience. This camera technique is
effective for this current affairs debate show as it assists in creating meaning and develops a sense of debate and conflict due to the
speed and spontaneity of the cuts which correspond with the arguments being thrown back and forth. This is done by the director
instructing the vision mixer to cut between cameras back and forth in order to produce shot reverse shots to create the idea of conflict
for the viewers at home. It also is beneficial as it emphasises the different sides of the argument. This is efficacious when trying to
maintain the interest of the audience as, doing things like this is beneficial as it assists in preventing the panel show from being
monotonous by placing the audience into the discussion space. Another advantage of using a multi camera setup to film a non narrative
on location live broadcast chat show like Question Time is that is advantageous when trying to capture as much coverage of the debate
as possible. This is advantageous on behalf of the audience at home as it allows viewers to feel as if they are within the live audience
as they are able to see all of the live reactions that are being captured from the people on the panel as well as the live audience.
Question Time
The way in which i believe the cameras on question time are positioned is by having approximately three or four cameras
situated on the side of the panel capturing footage of the panelists directly sitting opposite. The purpose of these camera are
to produce good shot reverse shots, which assists in intensifying and getting the audience to successfully follow the debate.
They are also useful for obtaining close ups of the guest facial expressions and are ideal for shots that may involve more
than one guest on the panel. A jib arm,controlled by a camera operator, is presumably located towards the back of the
audience which serves the purpose of obtaining wide shots of the whole panel and assists in establishing the studio space.
There are also two cameras positioned in front of the audience, however not blocking their view of the show. These are
purposely placed there to capture their reactions. The floor manager plays a vital role in debate shows like Question Time
because, as the audience get the opportunity to ask the panelists questions, the floor manager has to manage this. This is
usually done by them having a seating plan that indicates where the questioners are sitting so, that they can then ensure
that the boom operator and camera operator are positioned correctly to pick out the audience member when the director
cues the presenter to go to the audience for the question.
Question Time
There are also two additional boom microphones which are situated besides the audience which captures the live reactions (like
laughter or the clapping of hands) from the audience. Depending on the location, the camera placement for the audience may vary.
For instance in the case where the show is filmed in a studio with raked seating, a camera may be placed at the bottom on a dolly and
throughout the show
Question Time - Overhead Diagram
Football
Multicam setups are extremely beneficial for the viewers watching the game live at home as the simultaneous recording from numerous
different cameras situated across the pitch means that the audience can see all aspects of the pitch in all of its glory.
The main reason live sporting events make use of the multicam set up is to keep the audience interested and engaged with the game. Due to
the fact that the game is live the viewer has no idea what is going to happen and so they want to see as much as possible and not miss
anything, the simultaneous recording and coverage of action from a multi camera set up assist in providing this.
An XT3 is used in order to do instant replays, which usually comes into play just after a player has scored a goal or after a player has fallen and
injured themselves (like the one presented in the screenshot below). An XT3 is a video server which is commonly used by broadcaster
operators in order to record, play and control media by enabling loop recording, slow-motions and replays. This is different to a vision mixer
because a vision mixer an only record and broadcast input and cut live. It cannot rewind for replays. It would be the graphics team that ran the
XT3 and created the instant replay packages for the director.
The frequent shot types that are seen in live broadcasts of sporting events like football include, long shots of the pitch, close ups, extreme close
ups of the players facial expressions, bird's eye views of the middle or entire stadium and mid shots. Panning and tracking shots are also used
and are beneficial for following the player whilst they are dribbling with the ball. This is efficacious as it makes the viewer feel as if this they are
on the pitch along sides all of the players. It tends to be long duration shots compared to a panel show.
Football
An unmanned remote camera is also always positioned at the back of the goal so that when a player scores a goal or was near
enough to scoring, the audience gets a clear view of the moment just as it happens. The reason for this is because as no one knows
what side of the goal the ball is going to travel, the camera needs to be ready to be able to move quickly to whatever end necessary to
capture the best shot of it. Cameras are also placed on the side lines to follow specific players.
The image beside, illustrates the typical camera set-up for a live football match.
Camera 1,4, 5 and 8 are positioned in that way in order to capture the intense
footage of the penalty kicks or when players are getting extremely close to or
have scored a goal. Cameras 2, 3, 6 and 7 are used in order to capture the kicks
as well as the main game on the pitch (just from different angles).
The cameras positioned at the back of the goal are to capture he successful and
unsuccessful goals. A crane or jib would also be positioned here for the same
reason. There is also a camera that picks up the reactions from the audience who
are at the stadium.
Because of the camera setup in the venue, throughout the entire show the camera on the right shoots what's on the left and vice versa.
Just as the presenter is leaving the stage, the director cues the sound team to turn up the music as well as the mic, and alerts the
lighting team to get ready to follow Timberlake with the spotlight.
In order to capture the performance (or any other activity going on on stage), camera men/women with body rigs attached to them
come into play. These are beneficial for capture footage of the subject up close with smooth transitions and movements. To avoid any
accidents from occurring whilst on stage involving cables and the body rigs, someone is situated a few paces behind the person
carrying the body rig and camera, holding the cables and winding and unwinding them when necessary to prevent the camera
man/woman from tripping over them as he/she maneuvers around the stage.
The Brit Awards
Several cameras are positioned within the audience so that the camera crew ( using a shoulder or body rig) and presenter can weave
around the tables with ease. It is also done so that when the presenter takes to the floor to interview a few celebrities, like he done
with Ed Sheeran and Little Mix, they can do it hassle free. Vision mixer has a map of tables so that he/she knows what celebs are
sitting where for the reason that they can cut when necessary according to the script (for example with Sam Smith).
A huge level of interaction and coordination between the whole production team is required in order to pull off successful
performances from each of the acts and the entire show. In terms of the choir that comes out for Justin Timberlake’s performance, a
production assistant is waiting outside, presumably in the bar area with the hundreds of people which make up Justin's choir. The
assistant waits for the directors instructs to usher them into the room, in a professional and orderly manner. The director issues
instructions to members of the lighting crew to pick out the choir who are wearing white. This is done so that the cameras at the back
of the 02 doing the longshots and a birds eye view shot of the scale of the choir. Once the performance is over, the runners and
production assistants usher all of the choir out as quickly as possible and the stage team clear up the stage whilst Whitehall is talking/
introducing the next act on the 2nd stage.
The Brit Awards
The lighting, sound and camera crew’s will each be issuing separate instructions as the show commences and throughout. They are
all following their own personalised scripts which are similar but different as they are marked up accordingly to their individually
assigned role (i.e. for lighting, sound, presenter, camera and graphics team). Each team has a leader/director however they ultimately
are all taking their cues from the main director from the gallery.
Even though this is a ceremony, there is still a limited amount of time they have to fit everything in (the different acts, speeches,
presenter intros, end credits). If the show overruns their designated time slot they will have to pay a large sum. The reason for this is
because other brands have paid to have their advert on TV during the breaks of the ceremony. The ceremony has got to start and
end on time. The production assistant keeps time of the entire show so that the director is aware of how long they have.
Glastonbury
In order to capture and stream the majority of the Glastonbury festival experience in the most effective and memorable way possible for the
viewers at home watching is by making use of a multi camera setup. It is extremely beneficial for live events such as festivals like Glastonbury
as it assists in gaining the home viewers interests by getting as much coverage of the live action as possible and making the audience at home
feel as if they are experiencing the festival exactly like they were to be if they were actually there (or maybe even a bit better).
Even though quite a few live events that are filmed using the multi camera setup somewhat have a structure to it when being mixed by the
video mixer then shown on television, it is important that the production team are attentive and are mindful that anything spontaneous could
happen on stage which they need to capture in order to successfully get that classic festival moment.
The use of a camera jib arm, which is a lightweight device that has a camera mounted on to the end of it, enables the camera operator to
sweep in in a slow motion from the outside over the crowd. This shot is typically implemented in the opening sequence of the live stream from
the festival. The jib also would have come in handy to capture all of the various different angles, pan’s and shot types presented within the
show.It is also quite obvious that a dolly mount has also been used in order to create the smooth horizontal camera movements that frequently
occur throughout the entire show.
In this particular example linked down below, i can tell just by watching a small segment that there are three cameras positioned around the
main stage (with at least one of them presumably on a jib in order to capture different shots of the crowd below) and five of them on the stage
surrounding the acts.
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=tQh609EAVao
Glastonbury multicam setup
The image below illustrates the way in which the cameras would
be set-up for a festival like glastonbury. Camera’s D, E and C are
used to solely, to capture the act’s performance for different
angles. Camera A and B are used to capture longer and wider Camera B
Camera A
shots the audience and also to get shots of the performance or the
band etc from behind. Camera F, G and H are also used to get
much closer shots of the audience and longer shots of the act
performing.
QI typically begins with its iconic QI branding graphic intro with it’s signature soundtrack playing in the background and then countdown for
the lights to be brought up commences. Stephen Fry’s microphone will then be signalled to be turned up just as he walks onto the stage. The
jib arm then comes into play, as we then see a slow zoom in from the camera situated above the audience.
Just from watching an episode of QI, it is easy to tell that one jib arm and seven cameras are being used within this multi camera set-up. In
order to capture the reactions of each of the panelists, there are a camera positioned diagonally facing each of the panelist and on the
directors command, the vision mixer alters between the different shots. The jib arm is placed at the back (behind the audience) so that
he/she can not only capture the reactions from the panelists but from the audience too.
In order to ensure that the whole production runs smoothly both the lighting and sound team are each allocated a similar script however, it is
altered in a way specifically to suit their roles. For instance, the script for the sound team will illustrate when and where the different mics
need to be turned up and down and the script for the lighting team will display when are where the different lights have to be turned on and
off.
QI - Shooting Script
QI - Shooting Script