Peter Class Work

Tuesday 10th September 2019

LESSON 1 - WHAT IS SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION

TASK 1

Understanding 'single camera production'

a)   Define 'single camera production':

A single camera production is a piece of media  that is either a music video or film, that is shot with just one camera.

b) Identify the advantages and disadvantages of single camera production (refer to examples where you can):

Advantages:

• Using single camera production is cheaper; when more cameras are used, each cameraman,lighting and sound unit would cost money,when multiple cameras are being used the cost increases. 

•  You also get more control of the aesthetic choice. It means that you can choose the sound and lighting in each shot.

• You do not need all the actors on stage being filmed at once, because there is only one camera it means that the actors get a break.

•  It means that you are not limited on how much space your shot needs, as your only using one camera you can move around as much as you want. 

Disadvantages:

•  The reactions can be less realistic, due to only filming one actor at a time there facial expressions may not be as organic or realistic as wanted.

• It will take longer as you will need to film the shot at least three times in order to get all the angles. Also due to having to film it multiple times the shots may be slightly different if the actor doesn't perform it in exactly the same way.

•  Because of how many shots you need to take, the editing process will take a very long time. If multiple cameras were used it would reduce this editing process.

c)    What is multi camera production 

 Multi camera production is when you film a piece of media using more than one camera.

d) How does multi-camera differ to single camera productions?

Multi camera production is different to single camera production as it use more than one

camera to shoot the piece of media. When using multiple cameras instead of one it means that you only 

need to shoot the scene once as you have multiple cameras capturing the scene from all the angles that is 

needed. It also requires less editing, this is because there are less shot filmed so there for less things to

 edit together. Furthermore, multi-camera productions require all actors on stage, this means that the 

reaction from the actor is going to be potentially more realistic.

d) List 3 examples of single camera shows/films (aim for different genres)

1) Sex in the city. (romantic comedy)

2) Malcolm in the middle (Comedy)

3) Louie (Surreal comedy) 

List 3 examples of multi-camera shows (aim for different genres)

1) Seinfeld (Comedy)

2) X-factor (Reality TV)

3) Mock the Week (Panel show)

e) What is the definition of genre? Why is this important for audiences?

Genre is the category or style of a piece of art, music, film or piece of literature. The reason that genre is important for the audience is because, it lets them know what style of show or television series they are going to watch. It helps them make an informed decision on weather or not they will enjoy the program before they watch it. Different genres, include comedy, romance, thriller, drama and period.

Wednesday 11th September 2019
Features of Single Camera Productions.

Formats: Series, serial, single, drama, genre, (period, dramadoc, crime).

Narrative Structure: Linear (or sequential) non -linear, non - sequential, flashback and anti-realistic endings.

Technical: Camera lighting, sound, editing, scripting, building scenes and buildings.

Format:

• Series - This is a show that has multiple episodes that show throughout the year, they can have a closed ending or an open one that leads into a 2nd series. E.G. Breaking Bad.
• Serial - This is a show that does not have a set amount of episodes for a time period, meaning that the show will run all year round. E.G. Eastenders.
• Single Drama - This will be a show that only has one episode, they will usually have a self contained narrative and a closed ending. Furthermore they would also often include a topical issue. E.G. Killed By My Debt.

Genre:

• Period - It is a film or show set in a specific historic time period, the costume, set and style will fit the general time era they are going for, such as the middle ages. E.G. Dunkirk.
• Drama Doc - It is a film and or television show that is based on real events.
• Crime - This genre will have themes of breaking the law and crime. E.G. Scarface. 
• Soap opera- This genre is a when the show focuses on the same group of people and what happens in there life. E.G Friends
• Comedy - This genre is one where the aim of the show is to make people laugh, and will often include jokes that the audience will find funny. E.G. The Big Bang Theory. 

Tuesday 17th September 2019
To understand features of single camera production:
Narrative Structure:

• Linear - This is when the narrative goes in chronological order, without using flashbacks or flash forwards. This usually will not confuse the audience, it is a fairly traditional and naturalistic structure. 
• Non-Linear - This is when the structure of the film is disrupted, technique such as flashbacks, dream immersion and parallel plot lines. E.G. Pulp Fiction. This structure has the potential to be confusing but effective. because if it is done well it will keep the audience intrigued throughout the show. 
• Flashback - This is when in a film it goes to a past timeline that happened earlier in the film.
• Realist - This is when the structure is made to feel like a real life scenario that is believable. E.G. The Grapes of Wrath.
• Anti Realist - this is when the structure is made to feel deliberately un realistic. E.G. Sponge Bob Square Pants. 
• Endings (open/closed) - An open ending means that something is left unresolved in the story, meaning that there is a potential for a sequel or a second series. A cloes ending means that all the questions are answered and everything is resolved. An example of a closed ending is the Notebook, an example of a film with an open ending is Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

Technical:

• Camera lighting - There are different types of lighting with in single camera production. the first one that I am going to discuss is Ambient lighting, this the light that is already in the scene before any additional light is added, it is usually natural lighting. the second type of lighting I am going to speak about is high and low key lighting. High key lighting is when the ratio of light that is in the scene is lowered as well as the amount of shadows. This usually helps achieve a happy tone. Low key lighting is used to create more shadows, it helps to create contrast and usually create a more ominous tone. The final type of lighting that I am going to speak about is Natural lighting, it is exactly how it sounds, using the natural light to create a realistic and effective shot.
•  Sound - This refers to any of the noise that is recorded in the shot. Firstly I am going to discuss diegetic and nondiegetic sound, diegetic sound is any noise created by something that is in the shot, non diegetic sound is any noise that is added into the scene later through editing. Something that could be added as non diegetic sound is sound effects, this is an artificial sound that is added into a scene to either make something more or less dramatic. An example of this would be adding in the sound of thunder and lightning into a scary film, this use of pathetic fallacy will help connote a scared reaction within the viewers. Another example of non diegetic sound would be a voice over, this is when someone narrates over the scene to give more context or to add detail into the scene a film that includes narration is Ella Enchanted. One sound technique that is used in almost all films (apart from early silent movies) is dialogue. this is the spoken words that the actors say during the shot. Most of the time dialogue makes up the majority of the sounds in the production weather that be a film, series or a documentary. Other sound techniques that you can use are synchronous and non synchronous sound, ambient, on and off screen sound.
• Editing - There are many different editing styles within single camera productions, the first one that I am going to discuss is continuity editing, this is potentially the most realistic style of editing, it goes from scene to scene without leaving the audience confused or questioning what is going on. The next style that can be used is is shot reverse shot, this is when the camera is usually filmed from over the shoulder and shows the character who is speaking. This editing technique usually will allow the audience to follow the story easily without confusion. The third technique that I am going to speak about is match on action, this style of editing allows for smooth transitions. In this style of editing the transition will match the movement and action with in the scene, so for example if a window was opened that transition would follow that seamlessly. The last style of editing that I am going to discuss in detail is POV shot, this is used to make the viewer feel as if they are watching the story from the character's perspective. This style of editing can usually help create a more intimate feeling for the audience. Other styles of editing that can be used in single camera production are 180 degree shot, montage and split screen. 
• Scripting - Building scenes and stories: To help build a scene you need to find appropriate set, costume and actors that fit in with the genre of your production. This is because if you are attempting to make a sci-fi film but you used costumes that were more appropriate for a period piece, the audience would be left confused and questioning what time era the production is set in. Furthermore, it will lose the desired effect of a sci-fi film as it simply would not make sense contextually. To Help build a story for a sci-fi production you need to think about what time and what world it is set in, you need to have a set universe in which the audience can resonate with, one that is recognisable and stands out. You also need to create a world that is appropriate for the genre of the production, this needs to happen in order for the production to make sense. 

Tuesday 24th September 2019

Narrative Feature:

• For classic Hollywood films the narrative usually is made up of a three act structure. They follow in chronological order meaning that they  usually have a linear storyline. The fist act is the beginning of the story, the setting and characters are introduced to the audience. In the second act the hero of the story has challenges that face him/her, it becomes more complex. In the third and final act the story concludes and everything is resolved. 
• Journey:In the narrative of the story there is a journey that the main characters will embark on, no matter what happens it will leave them in a different place to where they started.  
• 5 Step: This narrative can be broken down into five steps. The first step is exposition, this is where we are introduced to the story, characters and setting. We are told any important information. The second step is development, in this stage things is the story begin to change as the story starts to progress. The next step is complication, you can think of this as something that changes what is going on for the main protagonist. Step four is the climax, the story comes to the pinnacle where everything is on the line. Finally, step five the resolution. The story is resolved and the outcome of the actions are revealed. 
• Tzvetan Todorov's 5 Stage Narrative Structure: Stage one is equilibrium, this is when all opposing sides are equal. Stage two is disruption, which is when the equilibrium is disturbed by some form of action or emergency. The next stage is step three, recognition this is when the disruption has been acknowledged and plans are put in place to resolve it. The penultimate stage is the attempt to repair, in this step the protagonist tries to overcome the problem that they were faced with. The final stage is the reinstatement of equilibrium. In this step every thing is resolved and equilibrium is restored. 

Bibliography:

• Lauren Baily. (na). Single camera production. Available: http://laurenbaileysinglecameraproduction.blogspot.com/2011/01/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-single.html. Last accessed 10-09-19.
• Smith. (na). How important genre is for producers and audiences. Available: https://www.majortests.com/essay/How-Important-Is-Genre-For-Producers-579649.html. Last accessed 11/09/19.
• na. (na). single camera production. Available: https://www.slideshare.net/saritachander_9/single-camera-production-50007005. Last accessed 11/09/19.
• na. (2013). Single camera production. Available: https://www.slideshare.net/rdtwilson/single-camera-production-19068571. Last accessed 17/09/19.