Multi-Camera Techniques and Definitions
Camera operation: The camera operator is the person who is in charge of everything to do with their particular camera. They are in charge of setting it up (often following the orders of the director), and controlling it to film a shot. Camera operators usually have to independently decide how to record their shots, this means that they are in charge of changing the focus (sometimes this requires the separate roll of a “focus puller”), zoom level, movement and multiple other camera options. The camera operation is integral to the success of the shot, without well thought-out and planned control, the footage can easily become worthless. Vision mixing: Vision mixing is done using a physical apparatus called a vision mixer. A vision mixer (also called video switcher, video mixer or production switcher, is used by the vision mixer to select between different visual tracks, all while producing a seamless, live recording of the entire event. The vision mixer can use the device to create transitions between shots by either cutting, fading or wiping the feed onto another camera. This kind of editing is used mainly for live events, like sports games and music concerts. In both of these, there is usually a large screen that the audience can view which is being live edited as the event unfolds. Directing: The job of the director is to direct the making of the film by organizing all assets and giving them the orders they need to create the piece of media that the director wants. The director uses his/her assets to project their idea in a visual form. Floor management: The job of the floor manager is to carry the information from the director to the rest of the crew who are working on the project. As well as this, they must insure that all equipment is properly managed and have an exquisite understanding of the production in order to be able to make changer to the floor (lighting, props, camera placement, etc). They must also brief all members of the crew, as well as the actors/talent on what is expected to happen, and what their rolls are. Develop program ideas: Program format, e.g. live event (Music concert): The program’s format is an important detail that changes how the whole thing is filmed. For example, a live event like a football match will require a live mixing desk to edit the footage on the fly, while programs like game shows are edited in post-production; therefore they do not require live mixing. Content ideas: Content ideas are drawing board based ideas they are viable for implementation within the production. Although they may not make it into the project, all ideas were once content ideas. Visual style: The visual style of a multi-camera production can be affected in great length by the vision mixer, who is able to change the cutting speed, as well as the type of transition depending on the type of event. For example, during a live performance, if the song is slow and mellow, the cutting should reflect that. Presentation style: This is the style that the program is presented. For example, game shows usually take place on a large stage, with camera placed all around. This presentation style differs from what we may see at a sporting event, or television drama. Scripts and inserts: Scripts are the full of information regarding the entire production. They contain brief scene descriptions, onomatopoeia, character dialog and editing prompts. When a writer pictures a certain shot at a particular moment in the scene, they may choose to insert a shot. This describes a shot of some important detail in a scene that must be given the camera's full attention for a moment. Inserts are mainly used in reference to objects, a book, or actions, like pressing a button, or lighting a match. Inserts demand the attention of the camera until what needs to be addressed is addressed. Planning processes: Range of equipment required: Not all cables can reach the same distance, because of this the range of each piece of equipment needs to be recorded in order for plans to be made that will deal with the problem. Allocation of job roles: The allocation of job roles in very important, and is often undertaken by either the producer or director. It sets out who does what job, when and where it need to be done. Jobs like cinematographer, editor and actors are allocated by the director/producer depending on the skill set they require. Conversion of schedule to shooting script / shot lists: This the process of working out how to merge the pre-production paperwork into an effective timetable, ready to the production process. It involves a schedule that includes the Date, Time, Location, Shots needed to be filmed, Equipment needed, Talent and contact information. It is a production schedule that contains all much of the pre-production information. Pictured below is an example of what a professional schedule could look like. Location recce: Location reconnaissance is the act of filming a location during the pre-production process in order to see if it is viable for filming. Location recces are typical of media productions, and often require taking a film crew to multiple locations, checking to see if they suit the production's specific needs. In this example, production staff for the up coming 007 film talk about the location they chose to film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYKB75aIHWE Health and safety considerations: The health and safety considerations relate to staff members as well as all those who could be harmed during the course of the film. This includes animals as well as humans. The risk assessment covers the health and safety considerations for a single location Production documentation: Timed scripts: Timed scrips are used in both live and non-live filming. They allocate a particular time to a particular action or event. Because of this, next to each line is a time that a scheduled even may happen, whether a line need to be spoken, or physical event must take place (firework going off during a guitar solo, a physical action by the main character etc.). Shot lists: The shot lists are in most cases created by the director as a means of organizing/story-boarding a scene into a manageable list of what to film. These lists include a detailed description of the scene, the props used, dialogue and actors present. This plan is then given to the camera operators and the cinematographer so they can work out the camera set-up Studio floor plans: The studio floor plans dictate when and where actors, equipment and staff should be. The plan is usually created and carried out by the floor manager, who briefs all personnel involved about their duties and schedules for the filming session. Location plans: The location plans are very important when filming off set. They are something the Outside Broadcast manager will need to have completed before filming can begin. A scout will visit potential locations, then fill out location forms which detail the important features of the location. The OB manager, along with the director can then decide whether the location suits their needs to film. Lighting plans: Like the shot list, the lighting plans determine how the scene set up. The lighting is not just for making the scene viable, but it can also be used in a dynamic fashion by reacting to audio and visual ques, fox example when a guest enters the stage on a talk show, the room might play music and the lighting may have to reflect the the tone. This is much more complicated when filming live events, especially music concerts, as a high amount of lighting is needed. When filming non-live events, a lighting list is usually more precise and practiced. Risk assessments: Risk assessments are made to assess risks. They are forms that are to be filled with a detailed analysis of all potential health risks of filming a scene. The risk is detailed, assessed by level of severity and change of occurring, then actions to reduce the risk are filled in. Equipment checklist: The equipment checklist is very important when trying to keep track of the equipment used, making sure that everything that is planned to be used is actually being used. It also make it easier to the organizer to keep track of what they have and when they need in terms of equipment. Camera script: The camera script is a cue sheet that details all of the various camera positions that relate to the program's current filming session. In single camera productions, the director is able to easily direct the videographer for each shot or sequence of shots - this is not the case with multi-camera filming as the director cannot be everywhere at once, therefore directors must create a camera script to organize all of the cameras for filming. |