Sinead

Single cam Vs. Multi cam

What is single cam?

Single camera is quite literally what is says it is, one camera that is used to record the footage of a film or TV show. This technique is used so that you can really get the shot you want dilled and spot on perfect.

What is Multi cam?

Again multi cam is what it says it is, this time it is a multiple set up of cameras to record footage as it happens usually the thing being recorded will be continues for instance the news or a Sit Com.

Pros Single –

You can really focus on each individual shot you line up and really focus hard on what is happening, and also if the shot you took failed and you didn’t get quite what you wanted you can always just reshoot it again to get it perfect.

Pros Multi –

Multi camera is brilliant for filming fast action sequences it makes sure that you can get to every angle of what is happening as it happens. Which is quite important for live shows or news.

Cons single –

The only major Cons to single cam would be that it takes a lot more time to film something, as the cameras are limited.

Cons Multi –

The errors you can get if the acting or what’s happening on stage doesn’t go to plan you can’t do a reshoot if its live on air you just have to work around it. You can never take the time to make sure everything is perfect.

When are they used?

Single camera is usually used within major film productions (Hollywood Blockbusters) but some times they can be used in Sit coms although that is a more multi camera set up production for instance Friends is a sit com filmed in front of a live audience and they need the multiple number of camera to catch as much action they can as things unfold in front of them, that way they never miss any action. But some sit coms are filmed with single cam although it is a rarity for instance Peep show and My name is Earl is Single cam because it isn’t filmed in front of a live audience.