Single Camera Techniques [Screenshots]

Reverse shot: is the angle set-up behind a subject meanwhile they have conversation with another subject (it’s similar to an over the shoulder shot).

ECU: an extreme close up is drastically zooms in on a subject’s body part or scenery – this is usually used to enlighten the importance of something in the scene.

CU: close-ups are used to attract the audience attention of a subject’s action or an important object or scenery.

LS: long shots are used so that the audience can view the location that a scene is taking place in clearly. 

MS: a mid-shot is shot taken at a mid-distance. It shows not too much or too little of a scene/subject. (Usually a basic coverage shot).

Over the shoulder shot: this camera set-up is placed behind the shoulder of a subject- it’s usually used for an audience to view something through a subject’s perspective. It allows the audience to feel more emotion and realism to the production.4

Panning: panning is the horizontal camera movement on film to create a realistic moving effect for the audience. 
https://youtu.be/eBL6vu9NQtw

Tilt shot: is the slightly rotated camera angle to create an eerie-dramatic effect.

Week 6 & 7 [Final Assesment] H/W - Single Camera Vs. Multi Camera Productions

Single Camera Production Advantages & Disadvantages

Using a single camera for a production records a single scene at one angle - unless the camera is set to zoom in or out. Using a single camera is usually used for films and pre-recorded TV-shows (without a live audience) which are beneficial to the director of the production as it allows them to spend more time and focus to a scene. Moreover, using a single camera for a production records a single scene at one angle - unless the camera is set to zoom in or out. Using a single camera is usually used for films and pre-recorded TV-shows (without a live audience) which are beneficial to the director of the production as it allows them to spend more time and focus to a scene. Moreover, the production does not have to set in a orderly sequence, making it helpful for whatever scenes to be recorded when the time is appropriate. Using a single camera is also cheaper than having to purchase/rent several cameras to record a production which is helpful for small budget productions.

In contrast to these advantages, there is a disadvantage when using a single camera for a production which is, the fact that you can only shoot some scenes one angle at a time which will result in a much lengthier time period in the editing room trying too much up the scenes in a well-synced sequence.Single cameras are also used for serials, series and films with genres such as: Dramas, Thrillers, Horrors, Soap Operas, Comedies, Romances. 

This is because those several genres focus on the characters emotions, feelings and situations meanwhile trying to connect to their audience meanwhile making the production seem relatable or realistic. This can be captured by using many coverage shots such as close-ups, long-shots, mid-shots, etc. Morover, those production formats are not live and can be shot several times to make a great visual and/or audience effect.

Multi Camera Production Advantages & Disadvantages

Multi camera productions record different angles of a production at one time. This sort of camera set-up is usually aimed for live audience productions such as TV-shows, chat shows, etc. This is so that the audience can view different expressions, reactions and actions of the host, guest or talents at the time they are watching the live show. If a live production was recorded with only one camera it couldn’t possible film and show the audience different aspects of the show that need to be seen. Having multi cameras to record a scene make it faster to shoot footage and easier to edit as the footage was taken at the same time as the other cameras – it will be quite effortless to place the scenes correctly in order.

The disadvantage of multi camera productions is that the director will have less control of the shots that will be taken for scene as he/she can’t stand behind several cameras at one time. Also, it is difficult to hide several cameras in a scene, as opposed to using a single camera – a director or cameraman moves around to film one scene without having to hide a camera. Genres such as: Live audience TV-shows, chat shows, interviews, news, (sometimes) action, documentaries all used multi cameras. This is because they cannot re-shoot a scene as some production are shot in real life events that can only be recorded once, but need to be recorded at different angle to make the production seem much more interesting. 

Week 5 H/W - SCT Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages in cinematography-Framing is the placement and composition of a subject or object in scene. This can be helpful to unfold a plot.-Depth of field is when the camera or recorder focuses on a main subject which is clearly scene in front of scenery, whereas the unimportant background is blurred. This is helpful as it allow the camera to capture the great importance of scene.-Rule of thirds is a guideline of an even amount of alignments to compose a picture in a place that fits the scene or subject. This is beneficial as it can get an accurate and defining imagery for a production

Advantages in obtaining audience attention with a large variety of shotsUsing many shots may attract the attention of the audience as they have a clear imagery of what is going on in a scene and how it is set out. This eliminates them having to imagine or guess what actual vision for the production is.

Advantages of coverage shotsHaving several camera coverage shots in a Drama or Suspense production is essential as it allows the audience to maintain interest as to what will happen next.

Advantages of having a small crew with a limited amount of crewThe advantages of having a small crew is that we didn’t have to pay for transport as we all had a free oyster card to travel to the locations where we was going to shoot the footage (webisode). Moreover, having a small crew to direct and operate is easier to having a large crew that may be restless and noisy. Lastly, you can share the limited amount of equipment and plan ahead for a great shoot.

Advantage of controlling lightingThe advantage of controlling lighting is that you can perfect the right tone of light expose for your genre of webisode. For example, if you were creating a horror, you would set out for a dark-lighting area.

Advantages of having multiple takes on scenesRe-taking scenes can benefit the production, as you try to perfect the scene that suits best for the production.

Advantages of beginning with a master shotThe audience will have a clear imagery of setting, where the plot is taking place.

Disadvantages of too much footage with lots of edit to doThe disadvantages of this is that you will have to stick to a deadline in the professional business of Media to finished a solid footage of work and make all the cuts sync properly without the footage looking strange.

Disadvantages of having to plan a storyboard carefully The disadvantage of spending a large amount of time on a storyboard is that is sets back the actual shooting for the production which could delay profit or even violate a deadline for recording to take at a certain location.

Week 5 H/W - SCT Report

In my webisode, my team ad I used several single camera techniques to deliver an interesting video. 

My team and I didn’t shoot a master shot for our first webisode, which is disappointing, however we will set a scene for one in the next production we create as; in single camera productions this is usually very important to do first hand as a production will need a foundation for the other (camera coverage) shots.

For my single camera production my team and I didn’t follow the 180 degree rule as a majority of the scenes were shot with only one subject in it. However, the next time I produce a production I will make sure to include this rule.

My team and I shot each scene individually, we categorised the close-ups on the expressions of a subjects face and body parts. This was to show their reaction to a situation or slowly reveal something mysterious to the plot of the production.

 We also did not follow the rule of thirds which could have benefited us as it can set a great composition for subjects in a scene. In contrast, a scene or two do look they’ve been composed followed by the rule of thirds as we used a depth of field’s effect to the scene – this was helpful as it allowed the camera to enlighten the importance of the subject.

For our webisode, my team and I did not include a conversational scene as it was not necessary to the thrilling plot. However, it could be beneficial for our next attempt to film as it may allow the production seem easier to understand. This reveals that we didn’t intend to use a reverse shot.

We did not use a low angle in the right form for my production, this is because, in my production a subject recovered from a painful nap and begins to awaken and lift himself up from the bed. We took

 this from a low angle which is incorrect as we should have taken it from high angle to show he’s weak and powerless. Instead we made him look powerful which is the opposite of what he was feeling and showing in the scene. Single camera productions are helpful for planning out scenes for a better visual scene – most of our scenes weren’t well thought out as we did not use all the correct techniques in the correct sequences. On the other side, I believe the plot of the webisode was quite easy to follow as we had well-thought out camera movements to deliver a message to our audience. If we had used a multiple set-up camera production I believe the expressions and realism of the plot would not have been grasped by the audience as a single camera production focuses directly on a scene or subject.

When taking the shot of the young lady leaving her house late at night, we used the movement ‘pan’ to show she was going on a journey – perhaps far from her house. This creates an idea for the audience that something will take place on the young lady’s journey.  

We used electrical lighting from built in ceiling lights and street lights to shoot for our production. This was key to use so that subjects can be seen clearly in the footage. Furthermore, the street lights weren’t so bright which delivered a creepy and mysterious effect to the production.

Most of our shots were coverage shots we hadn’t made a master shot. Shots such as close-ups and track shots. Doing this made my team and I having to carefully edit the sequences of shots so it didn’t look like things (props, subjects, etc.) was magically appearing and disappearing. I gave flashbacks a black and white filter so that the audience didn’t get mixed up with the present and past of the webisode. This reveals that we used a non-linear narrative to show snippets of what the plot will unfold into. 

In conclusion to this report, I believe my team and I used shot-moment techniques to give a clear depiction of the plot. However, we still need to use different single camera techniques in a single camera production correctly to make a great quality webisode. We can and will improve on this in the next production.

Fractured - My Linear Edit

The Following - My Edit

Week 4 H/W

- Rule of 3rds

The rule of thirds is the digital, and visual guideline for film, photography and painting to be divided into nine equal squares.

- 180 deg rule
This rule takes place when two actors begin to talk or interact with each other while shooting. The camera is set-up to be placed in between both of them. They have  to maintain eye-contact with each other so that it isn't broken.





- Framing (Head room, Lead Room)
Head room is the space between a subjects (actors) head and the top frame of filming.
lead room is the space where dramatic energy is directed. This is to show a subjects enthusiasm or interest in something usually for a close-up.


- Master Shot
A master shot is used to shoot footage of a whole dramatic scene from beginning to end, with all actors in the view.It is often used for a long or establishing shot. When recording for a film or television programme, it is usually shot first for the foundation of the camera coverage.


- Movement (pan, tilt, track, dolly, zoom, contrazoom)
Panning a camera on a axis or tripod  is used to show something horizontally, Whereas tilting is used to move the camera vertically. Both can be used as an element of surprise to reveal.
The dolly movement is used to move the camera, closer or further to a subject over time, this is mostly used to view expressions on a subjects face. The truck movement is used by allow the camera to move, side to side, this can be used to follow a character in a film or reveal the foreground of scene.