Ellen Rouse-Barron

Multi- camera covers programme formats such as live events: sports, concerts, stage, productions, public events, etc. and studio productions: game shows, chat shows, news magazines, studio-based drama etc. Some reasons for the usage of multi-camera productions are as follows: they have a large coverage of action, communicates meaning to the viewer more fluidly, obtains a better visual style, multi-camera has simultaneous recordings, therefore more footage and from different aspects.

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An advantage is there is more than one view so there is a lot more footage to choose from, this is good in things such as live sport events and game/chat shows. It is good to replay in slow motion from different angles in live sports events, such as Rugby. For example, mobile cameras can easily move around, this is helpful for when the players are moving around, the cameras will be able to move alongside them, and quickly.  As well as having a bird’s eye view camera, the viewers are able to see everything that is going on, from another angle. Multi-camera usage is vital in Rugby because it has a wide coverage of action; the events are live so the multiple cameras help to not miss any important footage/action. Also there are then cameras to focus on the ball, the players, the coaches and the audiences, so if there is something to see the viewers will not miss it. It is also good for communicating meaning to the viewer, for example a sense of what is happening on the pitch/in the stadium, the atmosphere. It also has a better visual style; cameras follow the ball, along with the players to see the motion and movements in detail as well as cutting to the audiences and coaches for their reactions. Maintaining the viewers’ interest by the use of a variety of cameras, showing different angles of the game, from the small details to the entire stadium. There are hardly, if not any, constraints so the use of multi-camera usage in this environment as there is so much space.

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Mock the Week is another example of Multi-camera usage. They are used to shoot different angles of the studio and when changing from footage of the comedians. It’s easier to have complete coverage of action in a smaller environment, and the viewers can see the entire panel from a middle camera. The visual style is usually a new camera for whenever someone is talking, a middle camera for when the whole panel is shown, a camera on the audience and sometimes a camera backstage. It communicates meaning to the viewer by cameras picking up the audiences reactions as well as the reactions of the comedians. It also maintains the viewers interest by the constant switching of the cameras, to see something new.