Brief:
I am required to investigate and explore single camera productions of your choice. I will
then use these wide range of precisely focused examples to evaluate different single camera
productions in terms of their formats, narrative structures and target audiences
List of Shows that use single-camera techniques:
Scrubs
Cougar Town
Red Dwarf
Peep Show
Ugly Betty
Sex and The City
Flight of The Conchords
180 degree line
The 180° line is a technique/rule that most directors and D.O.P’s stick to. An imaginary line is drawn between two characters and the camera must stick to one designated side (see diagram) otherwise the characters don’t feel like they are connected when the audience watches it, if the camera was to stray the other side of the line it would look like the characters are talking to someone else completely this would ruin the flow of the film and perceived interaction between the two characters and cause disorientation.
This Clip from StarWars Episode II shows crossings of the line
Which leaves the audience disoriented and confused which I actually think worked quite well as it trying to show what its like in the heat of battle, whether this was intentional or not I think it came out good.
Analsying Single Camera Techniques
In this write up I will be analysing and evaluating the techniques used in single camera productions and how they affect the feel and look of these programs, while also demonstrating the breaking of certain rules and conventions and how they have failed but also had success.
Like the name suggests these productions film using a single camera setup, this allows the D.O.P to shoot a wider variety of shots with relative ease where as in multi camera situations each camera is in a fixed place and the lighting set specifically for each individual camera meaning if the wanted any other angled shots they would have to reshoot. This technique was first established in the 1910’s during the beginning of Hollywood and remains the general way to shoot films to this day compared to Television, which incorporates the multi camera setup.
Single Camera Drama 