Genre:
Live
- Live Sports
- Concerts
- Public Events
- Game Shows
- Chat Shows
- Magazine Shows
Live Sport
Live sporting events such as Rugby union games need to use multi-camera production because of the large area in which the game takes place,so that when play quickly moves from one end of the pitch to the other the variety of cameras can pick up on events that others may not have been able to see. This also makes it a lot easier for the "Television Match Official" or TMO who has to review the footage during a game and use it to make decisions about a score when called upon as seen here from 29 seconds in.
Another practical reason for having the multi-camera set up is that the variety of camera angles makes it much more enjoyable for viewers watching at home, as they can get close ups of players, coaches and the audience to see their reactions to passages of play. This is also way of suggesting to the audience how they are supposed to react as well, by showing people who are displaying the same emotion. This clip perfectly displays how the multi-camera set up is used to cut between images of the players, coaches and the crowd to see their reactions to the event, from 54 seconds in.
One of the limitations of a multi-camera set up is that it requires a lot of coordination to run all of the cameras and switch to the appropriate one at the right moment, this is why there is a job role dedicated to cutting between the cameras, the Director. This limitation is especially highlighted when the director or one of the camera operators makes a mistake during a Live feed.Another problem with this format is that to have this many cameras and a person controlling each camera individually, the costs of producing a programme like this can get very high. This is one explanation for the large amount of advertising and sponsorship that has become a part of all large sporting events.
The multi-camera format allows the director to put his own style to the programme by cutting the shots in different ways and with the variety of camera movement in each shot. This can be seen when the logo transition comes onto screen and a replay of a specific event is played from a variety of different angles and cut at different points during a lull in play.
Concerts
A live concert like the Foo Fighters at Wembley has to have a multi-camera format due to the unscripted, spontaneous actions of both the performers on stage and the reactions of the crowd. The huge area that is used for this and other events like it require a multi-camera format simply so that the production team can cover all performers on stage as well as the audience. Also the large amount of available footage means that if during a live programme something inappropriate occurs the director can cut away to another camera to avoid that behaviour being shown on television.
A practical reason for using the multi-camera format is that it enables the director to show individual members of the group during the performance that people in the audience and at home might not be able to see. Also with the amount of cameras involved in the performance the director is able to show the viewers angles that people in the audience would not be able to see, for example the above shot of the keyboard artist below.
A limitation of this camera format at this venue would be that because there are so many cameras there is a chance that their view may be obstructed by the audience or another camera, this would ruin the viewing experience for people watching the show and would mean that the director would have to choose the shots he uses carefully throughout the entire performance. A way around this problem would be for the production team to map out where they want to place the cameras and predict how the audience will fill the allotted space before the performance starts.
Another limitation would be that having so many cameras all in one event means that the director has to work hard to ensure that all the cameras in use are getting the right shots as well as coordinating when the feed switches from one camera to the next and which shot is best suited for that moment.
Public Events
During public events such as Prince Williams marriage the multi-camera format is necessary because they also televised the procession on the way to the ceremony and more than one camera is needed to film this, let alone the crowd and ceremony itself.
An aesthetic reason for using the multi-camera format to cover the Royal Wedding is that it allows the director a greater choice of shots to use and he can cut to a shot that he feels is poignant to a specific time in the event. An example would be when the camera cuts to a shot of the Queen singing the hymn with Prince Phillip, whilst Prince William and Kate are at the altar.
A practical reason for choosing this camera format would simply be that in order to cover the procession to the Abbey and th ceremony inside more than one camera is needed. This means that we can follow the entire course of the marriage ceremony throughout the day without missing sections, which would occur if one camera had to move along and film at the same time.
A limitation of the multi-camera set up would again be that it takes a great deal of precision and coordination in order to be effective and is a far more expensive to run than a single camera format, this means that all of the channels covering the event have to spend large amounts of money on equipment and staff.
Studio
Game Shows
Game shows require the multi-camera set up because of the unpredictable nature of the events on screen. A show like Total Wipeout has spontaneous actions occurring throughout the programme and without a multi-camera format most of those events would go unseen.
A practical reason for using the multi-camera format would be that as one participant falls and another attempts a obstacle cameras can catch both actions on film meaning there is more footage available during the editing of the show. This means that the programme can cut from one piece of action to another during the same obstacle without missing large parts of the event.
An aesthetic reason for using this format would be that it allows the viewer to see some of the best parts again, as they can be replayed from different angles, this means that some aspects that may not have been easily visible from one direction can be viewed from another providing more entertainment.
A limitation of using this set up on a show like Total Wipeout is that it is expensive to keep all of the cameras and camera crews working, which results in the show costing more to produce than if only one camera was used.
Magazine Show
A magazine show like top Gear needs to have the multi-camera format in order to display each of the cars on set in a unique way when the presenters are talking about them.
An aesthetic reason for using more than one camera whilst filming is that if the director wants a slightly different angled shot of one of the cars then they can switch camera feeds. This helps to show the car in a different light and with a different presenter in the shot as well as other members of the audience.
A practical reason for using this format is that it enables the presenters to stand in separate areas of the studio next to different cars, talking about separate subjects and can cut between the two when the subject changes.
An advantage of using this technique in this studio setting is that if one of the presenters or a member of the audience says or does something out of script then it can be recorded from a variety of different angles.
Chat Show
A multi-camera format in this setting enables the production team to cut between, the typically 4 cameras, as and when the conversation dictates or changes.
A practical reason for this set up is that the camera each face a different direction and so can focus on the presenter and the guests, This means that, as each of the guests would have different reactions, each reaction can be caught on an individual camera.
A limitation of this set up is that there is a limited amount of space in a studio and so there is a limit to the amount of cameras that can be used meaning that not every angle is covered. This results in the cameras involved having specific subjects to film mainly the guests so that any speech or reactions are not missed.
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