MULTI

CAMERA
An introduction
MULTI CAMERA
DEFINITIONS
It means a bit more than using more than one
camera.
True multi camera involves taking a live feed back
to a video mixer where shots can be selected live.

There is also multi camera simultaneous

recording.
This involves using several cameras on set but they
record separately, ready to be edited later. This is
used for stunts etc.
REASONS FOR MULTI-CAMERA
USE: COVERAGE OF ACTION
With live events, you only have one chance to get
the shots.
Multiple cameras allow you to see everything as it
happens.
The director/vision mixer can choose the most
interesting/informative angle.

Examples: sporting events, major public events,

reality TV.
 Large events or venues cannot
easily be conveyed using a single
camera
 You need multiple views to help
the audience understand the
geography of the event AND the
role of individuals within it
 eg Olympic stadium; wide
shots of the location, but close
ups of the athletes
In a game show or debate, you
want to show the two sides
 A wide shot shows the two teams
facing each other
 Close ups of each guest show
REASONS FOR MULTI- tension or other
reactions/expressions
CAMERA USE:
COMMUNICATING MEANING
 REASONS FOR
MULTI-CAMERA
USE: VISUAL STYLE
The studio environment is a
convention for many
programmes
 Eg news programmes,
breakfast shows, chat shows,
game shows, sports roundups
 The design and layout of the
set helps to brand the show
REASONS FOR
MULTI-CAMERA
USE: MAINTAINING
VIEWER INTEREST
Although the studio
environment is well
known, it can also be
quite boring visually.
Cutting between cameras
keeps viewers interested
and adds pace.
REASONS FOR MULTI-
CAMERA USE: CONSTRAINTS
Some locations make it impossible to shoot
single camera
 If you are limited in terms of time
 If it will be difficult to get cameras in and out
once the event starts eg a gig or other
performance

 The studio itself can be a constraint

 You may only have access for a short amount
of time
 You cannot keep repeating action in front of a
studio audience – especially a game show
 Action sequences are
often shot using
multi-camera
simultaneous
recording. This is in
order to manage:
Continuity
Health and safety
Budget

REASONS FOR MULTI- (Remember – this is not true

multi-camera)
CAMERA USE: STUNTS
DISCUSSION
What are the conventions within various programme
formats?
 News
 Game show
 Magazine show
 Sports programme (live event plus commentary)
PROGRAMME
FORMATS
This is the template which programmes
follow – a bit like a genre.
A programme format sums up the look and
feel of the show.
Examples could include:
 live events, eg sports, concerts, stage
productions public events
 studio productions, eg game shows,
chat shows, news magazines, studio-
based drama
 Within this, there may be particular branded
formats.
 X Factor is a good example.
 Formats can be sold on to other production
companies.
 Produce a table which compares and
contrasts THREE multi-camera
shows. 
• Look & feel eg aesthetics, set
design, use of colour, graphics,
links to content
• Format & structure
• Use of multi-camera techniques
• Relationship between live & pre-
recorded material
• Presenting style
• Target audience

Upload to weebly.
After class, you should expand on
these notes in order to produce a
YOUR TASK critical analysis.
LINKS TO START YOU OFF
There are plenty of examples on iPlayer or 4OD but these could also help:

The X Factor UK 2015 S12E16 Live Shows Week 1 Results Intro Full - YouTube
The Best Of Sean Lock On QI - YouTube
Piers Morgan’s Wife Celia Walden Joins His On Screen Wife Susanna & Reacts To
Ofcom Ruling | GMB - YouTube
Best Top Gear Studio Out Takes - YouTube
 This term, we are going to produce a
multi-camera music show. This is a format
that has gone in and out of fashion over
the years: your job is to reinvent it for a
2022 audience.
Examples (oldest to newest) include:
Sight and Sound in Concert
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Top of the Pops
The Tube
Tonight with Jools Holland
BBC Introducing from Maida Vale

OUR MULTI- There's a Word document on Teams with

links to a few clips...let's use those to pick
out the techniques being used...

CAMERA SHOW