Multi-Camera Technique – Assignment 1

Multi Camera Production - Live Sports V Pre Recorded Talk Shows

A multi camera production is one that uses 2 or more cameras to simultaneously record or broadcast an event/show which is associated with the TV production media sector. The diagram above shows an average set up of a multi camera. Cameras 2 and 3 for the wide shots and cameras 1 and 4 for the close up reactions. All types of multi camera production will use the set up in their own unique ways to create their product. Which allows for a wide coverage of footage to be recorded, not only does this create the sense of realism as the live event/show is recorded in one take. With the odd exception for pre recorded TV that may re do parts of the show if issues occur. There is a whole variety of TV productions that use this technique and there is a whole host of reasons to why we use this type of production. Whether its a live sports broadcast, a live concert, public events, a game show, a talk show or even a live magazine show they all use it. Yet they are all different in their own approaches, to get a full understanding of how they are different and how they utilize the technique I am going to compare live sports coverage and talk shows in this case study. 

Live Sports 

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Every live sports event will have one shot that they constantly cut back to, this is known as the "Safeshot" this is wide angle eagle view of the sports event in case there is technical problems. Bigger lenses are needed for the wider shot otherwise it won't fit in. This applies to all sports and not just Football. I.E Tennis will always cut back to:

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Events then cut to mid shots, which are recorded from 3-4 planned cameras that are dotted around the pitch or field to easily follow the action. Meaning the cameras need to be able to pan and tilt.Note how they can alter the depth of field to put the action in focus, upping the production value. They also do this for close ups of players walking around, the crowd and the managers. Capturing reactions, creating the sense of realism. 

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Finally, cameras are set up to record slo motion for analysis of the game. Used in the future for action replays and game highlights. For instance they could set one up in goal:

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All feeds go into a vision and audio mixer. The editor will select what shot is being broadcast live to the audience. This is known as live cutting. Graphic overlays ,also in the mix, shows the score and time. Footage will also be kept for promotional and highlight purposes. In order to capture the audio, microphones with dead cats (wind protectors) are placed around the pitch towards the audience.

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The audience in the stadium can be heard. As getting audio from the players is not only difficult but unnecessary as 10+  voices at once is hard to hear. If you tried to attach lav mics or use a boom pole not only might you break the equipment but it would be hard to capture without getting in frame. Alongside the audience, the audio of a commentator describing the game and upcoming events is broadcast. They may use a lav mic/boom pole for this.Lighting cannot be controlled and will often use the lighting from the stadium. It would be too difficult to bring your own kit to light up a whole pitch. So stadium/natural lighting is used. 

As a summary the equipment needed is: cameras, large lenses, microphones, dead cats, audio mixers, vision mixers, broadcasting equipment, a tv control room and tripods. Using the technique of live broadcasting, multi cam set up, recording audio and live editing. Roles include: audio operator, live crowds, live editor, sound mixer, vision mixer, director and graphics designer. For instance all of this can be seen below:

Talk Show:

The main difference is that it's all studio based and is pre recorded; they have greater control over audio and lighting. They also use less cameras (around 3-5) that generally face towards set unless cutting to the audience, since the action is take place there. Change the camera angle too much and it spoils the illusion, resulting in the cameras staying still. The concept of a talk show is more about a discussion between a host and a guest/multiple guests. Finding out more about a person and their latest project making it personal. Rather than spectating sports for entertainment purposes. Talk shows, also entertaining also aim for a informal/formal(audience dependent) informative stand point.

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Notice how cameras are set up exactly the same as a sports event, but their placement is tighter. You may have a roam camera to get shots inspired from the conversation or for a performance segment but this is the typical set up. 

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It has its safe shot, again if anything goes wrong with the recording they can rely on this shot to cover all the action. It just takes away from the production value. It could be re-shot, but because it's a personal matter the best take will always be the first one. If one of the guests cries about a touching subject you would't get them to keep doing it if one take goes wrong. It portrays the genuine emotion.  

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You also have your close ups and mid shots of the host asking a question or responding to an answer. The same occurs with the guests as cutting back and forth creates the idea of a conversation. In a sense the style of cutting is the same as sports, sports cuts to follow the action, talk shows cut to follow the conversation. Both cutting to their purposes.

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Both use similar equipment to record their shows. Talk shows have pretty standard cameras and don't need bigger lenses like sports as they don't rely on depth of field as they have set design to improve their production value. 

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Yet sports broadcasts live. Talk shows may live rough cut but are tightened up later on. You can easily batch record a talk show, whizzing through multiple guests and audiences in a day. Yet for sports you can only do one at a time which is why it is live. Talk shows put the footage in editing software to create a multi camera work flow.

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Talks shows may also add in over media elements/pre recorded aspects into the show which use other types of production. I.E adding in a video of a crowd anecdote like Graham Nortons red chair, an image or video about someones past featured on Piers Morgans Life Stories.

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Title screens are also unique compared to sports and will harness animation to create these:

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Finally they have greater audio and lighting control. Studios will have expensive lighting rigs above the cameras and angled down to harness/improve their set design.There is less chance of getting the shadows and interferance from crews. Unlike sports which relies on the stadium/natural light. Audio can also be recorded by lav mics, which remain disguised on camera and can be put into an audio mixer to sync up with the video. This time recording the sound of the action and not the audience. 

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Highlighting that different genres of shows are made up of different segments, using the same technique. Roles are often shared between sports (see before) but other roles such as lav mic management, set design, floor managers, scheduling for celebrities, graphic designer and lighting can help up the production value for a TV talk show. To see all these in action check out the examples below:

Pros and Cons of Multi Camera

Like every type of production, multi camera has its pros and cons. 

Pros:

• Once you get the cameras rolling and you follow a working format you can batch produce episodes of content within weeks. Saving time and maximizing your profit. 

• Can easily get vast amounts of coverage adding to production value, capturing reactions creating emotion and realism.

• One camera and one take wouldn't look very appealing. One camera also makes it more of a drama and the realism doesn't show if you keep recreating things.

• Editing can be done alongside broadcast/production which not only speeds up the production it makes it easy for editors as all they need to afterwards is tighten up the product.

• Continuity is also kept as you are seeing the event simultaneously as it was recorded, meaning the cameras won't be cut to re do a scene or take. 
• You can easily make a variety of different programs from the same equipment. If you got sick of making talk shows you could move onto another production.

Cons:

• Live events can often go wrong and timing has to be precise,the equipment has to be working constantly. As if you lose a camera you are losing a part of your overall product effecting your production value. 

• Lighting and audio is very limited. Because you have a series of cameras rolling you need to get them done in a way that enhances all the shots without adding interference. 

• You often get less creative control of a camera, you are told what to film and when. When filming multi for TV it's mainly kept on a subject and is stationary, you rarely get cinematic shots such as over the shoulder etc... 

• It's expensive to set up compared to single camera you often buy/hire 3-5 times more equipment and crew. Making it harder for smaller companies to do so. But once you get going you can begin to get your money back.

•  It's easy to become sloppy and laid back once you get into the swing of batch production. By updating the format time to time you can avoid settling for the minimum. 

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