Task 1: A) Single Camera Techniques Commentary and Class Guide

Single Camera Techniques 

The 180 degree rule is a rule that states that the camera must not be moved more than 180 degrees from its position. The rule also states that the camera should always stay on the same side of the line of action. The purpose of the rule is to keep continuity in a single camera production. The 180 degree rule helps to understand where everything in the scene is. The disadvantage of using the 180 degree rule is that it is very easy for the rule to be broken. And once the rule is broken, it effects the continuity of the production. The production will look unrealistic.The rule is usually put in place when filming a conversation between two people. The video below (0:10- 0:22) shows an example of the 180 degree rule being used. 

Match on action is when the camera cuts from one shot to another that matches what was in the previous shot but from a different angle. Match on action is used to create continuity and realism in a single camera production. An example of match on action would be if somebody was walking towards a door. Once the person places their hand on the handle to open the door, the camera would cut and go to the next shot, which would show the door being opened but from a different angle. The video below (0:10- 0:22) shows an example of the 180 degree rule being used. 
  

The Master Shot is the shot that keeps all the characters on screen and captures most of the action.A master shot also captures the setting. The master shot is considered to be the foundation of a scene.This is because it is the main camera shot that is filmed before adding or inserting coverage shots such as close ups. Without a master shot it would be hard for the audience to follow the story because there would be nothing but coverage shots, which do not make sense without the master shot to give the audience a general sense of what is happening.This is the disadvantage of not starting with a master shot when filming. The purpose of the Master shot is to introduce the scene by showing all the characters and action included in the scene. The advantage of using a master shot is that it allows the audience to understand what is happening in a particular scene. Using a master shot also tells the audience where the scene is set.

The beginning of the video on the left shows an example of a master shot. The audience can work out that the two boys are having a conversation on a school campus. This is how a master shot would normally look like.

The screenshot below from the webisode i filmed shows how a master shot would be used in single camera production. As you can see, the master shot i filmed has captured the location and character of the scene. A Master shot can sometimes be a extreme long- shot, long- shot or mid-shot. For example the master shot below is a long shot. It is easier to include the characters and location of the scene by using these types of shots, which is why i have included one in my webisode. However a master shot is not limited to these kinds of camera angles.














A Coverage shot is footage which is filmed using different camera angles, that are added in after the master shot is filmed. The benefit and advantage of using a coverage shot is that it makes the story more interesting and exciting to watch. Coverage shots often help emphasize the details of the characters in a particular scene, Such as facial expressions and body language. Sometimes,coverage shots might even emphasize the motive or actions of a character in a scene. For example, the webisode i filmed (0:31) below shows a girl standing near the entrance of the woods (master shot) this scene is followed by a close up of her phone. This is the coverage shot. The reason i used the coverage shot was because it is showing the audience that the girl is texting her mum. By using the coverage shot, the text conversation between the girl and her mother is being included in the scene. This leads to the audience getting a better understanding of the scene. Using a variety of coverage shots also keeps the audience engage and interested.This is why i used coverage shots in my webisode. Some camera angles are better suited for coverage shots in specific scenes. For example, if two people were about to face-off in a duel or battle. using an extreme close-up of their faces would be very effective. This way, the scene would become more dramatic and tense. this would lead to the audience being in suspense, not knowing who was going to strike first.

The rule of 3rds is a rule in which the frame is divided into sections.This creates points that the cameraman can refer back to. The reference points act as guides for framing what is on screen.where the reference points cross,are where our eyes are naturally attracted to on the screen. People or Objects that are in or near the points are more likely to draw the attention of the audience watching. The video below (0:22- 0:26) shows an example of the rule of 3rds being applied to a scene.

Framing is how the camera is set up and how the image is composed before filming. Framing allows the cameraman and film maker to plan how each shot will look when filmed. When framing the actor is known as the subject. There are different types of framing. Head Room is a type of framing.This is when space is created between the actor(s) head and the top frame of the composition. Another type of framing is called lead room. Lead room is where space is left in front or in the same direction of moving subjects.This is often used to create a dramatic effect in the scene. For example a car chase scene. The video below shows examples of the different types of framing.

Camera angles and shots are put together to create a sequence or scene. Camera angles are used to show a person or an object from a different perspective. The video below shows examples of different camera angles and shots.







Establishing shots are shots that are used in the beginning to open up a scene. They are designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.Establishing shots normally show the location of the scene using either a extreme- long shot or long shot. This allows the audience to get a sense of the setting of the scene. The screenshot below shows an example of a establishing shot.

Building a sequence of shots is using different shots and angles to create and build scenes. Building a scene with a sequence of shots makes the scene more interesting. The video below shows an example of building a scene, 

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Fractured (Linear edit)

The Last Text (Webisode)

Music used:

Royalty free Thriller Music- detective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YfFqugNT_w


Thriller Movie trailer royalty free music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy-eZBqsRRw

Detective music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8TI4Bo8w9U

Mr. Barton colour correction tutorial

SCT practical assignment Master Shot and Building a sequence (Google Doc link)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cXFm4AXzT8T5ccb4LOJ_9amq2gFFf4JXktdQ7HuYGyU/edit

Single Camera techniques practical assignment: Master Shot, High- angle, Low- angle and tilt shot (video)

Single Camera Techniques,Formats and narrative structure (Practice Report)

Single Camera Techniques,Formats and narrative structure

Single Camera production

Single camera production uses a single camera for all the various shots. Productions that are used with a single camera are usually low budget. Music videos, adverts and TV dramas tend to use single camera production. When using this kind of production, scenes are filmed altogether. So if there’s a dialogue scene, all the lines of one person will be shot together and the same will happen for the other person. The scene will then be edited so that it looks like the two people are having a conversation. Unlike Multi- camera production,Single camera production gives the directors more control of each shot.

There are many advantages of using single camera production. One advantage of using Single camera production is that it is low budget. This is because you are using only one camera instead of using multiple cameras. Another advantage is that it is easier to sort and edit shots because all the footage will be on one camera; this allows the editing team to have more flexibility. Single camera production can easily be linear as well as non linear.This is because the scenes are normally filmed in sections rather than continuously flowing which is very typical of multiple camera production. There are also disadvantages in using single camera. One disadvantage is the editing time involved. Using single camera production means that there are going to be lots of shots to edit and put together, this can be very time consuming. Another disadvantage,probably the most noticable is that it is shot at one angle at a time. Unlike multiple camera production which allows you to capture several things happening at once from different angles.

Parks and Recreation is a TV sitcom series that uses single camera production.The whole of the series has been shot using one camera.

Multi camera production

Multiple Camera production is when multiple cameras are used to film different shots. Using multi camera production is often more expensive due to the amount of cameras being used. This type of production is used to shoot live events such as concerts and live sports. Multi camera production is often used to make editing easier and to cover as much of an area as possible, which is why this kind of production is used for live sports. Multi camera production also looks a bit more realistic compared to single camera production. This is because with multi camera production, you can shoot from many different angles and narrate from different perspectives. Multi camera production can also capture more emotions and reactions. One main advantage of using Multi camera production is that the transition from one person to another is a lot smoother. This is because the production is being filmed together rather than being filmed one at a time like single camera production. Though Multi camera production may seem like the better set up to use, it can be very expensive and can take long to set up. Also using multi camera production means that there is a possibility or risk of cameramen getting in the shot. This Live Arsenal vs Stoke City Match is an example of Multiple Camera Production.There are multiple cameras filming the match from different angles.

Formats

Formats are the way in which the final production is presented or laid out. Both single camera and multi camera productions have different formats.

A Serial is when one main story is told through several episodes. The story continues to develop one episode at a time, never deviating from the main plot. Shows such as Game of thrones and Heroes fall into this category. A Series creates and develops characters to tell stories. A series is similar to a serial in that it has a main plot. But unlike a serial, one story isn't told throughout all the episodes. A series uses multiple stories across episodes. Each episode will tell the story of a different character, and no episode's story will continue onto the next, unless it is a series finale or special in which case the story will probably carry onto the next episode. Big bang theory and Friends are examples of series. 
A single drama is a show that has one storyline and it is broadcasted once .The story starts and finishes, there are no episodes.Films or Movies are categorised as Singles because they have one self-contained storyline told in a specific amount of time. Films such as interstellar and King Kong are examples of singles. TV dramas are also examples of singles. Most singles use single camera production as it is the most suited camera production set up for films.This is because the directors and editors can go through the shots and choose which ones work and which don't. Multi- camera production may be used to shoot specific parts or scenes in a film. For example, Stunts. Different angles may need to be filmed when shooting stunt scenes. 


Single camera Formats can have different narrative structures. Linear narratives are stories that have a beginning, middle and end. Because of this linear narratives are also known as 3 act structure stories. Linear narratives tell stories from the beginning to the end. One example of a linear narrative is Disney and Pixar's movie,Up. Up shows how Carl and Ellie's relationship begins.This would be considered to be the beginning of the narrative. 

     The diagram above is a linear narrative diagram (3 act structure)  

A Non-linear narrative is a narrative that does not start from the beginning. Non- linear stories tend to start from a certain point and then build up. It is up to the audience to work out what has happened.Non- linear stories mostly include flashbacks or somekind of skip in time to let the audience know what is happening and what has previously happened in the story. The story must have a reason for using flashbacks or time skips, otherwise the audience will not be able to follow the story. Fight club is a non linear narrative film that uses flashbacks to show that the main protagonist is in a predicament in which he is living as someone else and not as his self.

A narrative that is episodic is a story that is told through a series of segments or episodes. A episodic story is often linked together with each episode. Episodic narratives will also have recaps at the beginning of each episode and a cliffhanger at the end of each episode, Like a soap opera. The main purpose of this narrative is to keep the audience hooked on the show and to leave them wanting to find out more. One example of a episodic narrative is Utopia. 

Realist narratives are stories based on real events that have happened.A Bio pic also known as a biographical film is an example of a realist narrative.Anti- realist narratives such as doctor who and The flash are fictional stories. Unlike realist stories,They are not based on real life events and are made up purely for entertainment.