Unit 22 Assignment 1

A single camera production is a production that only uses one camera to create it, we use them because it can be beneficial if you're on a budget as you won't need as many crew members, you aren't spending loads on multiple cameras so you can buy one decent one. Also you can get a better performance out of your actors as when you just have one camera they know when it's on them they need to bring it. Comedy sitcom Outnumbered is an example of a single camera production.
Sometimes productions that come under the single camera heading aren't always shot with one camera. Certain scenes such as ones that involve a lot of action might use more than one camera, because the majority is filmed with one camera it's still considered a single camera production. These are different to multi camera productions because they use more than one camera for the whole production.

Single camera productions can come in different formats, them being a series, serial or a one off film in any genre whether it be horror, comedy or drama. "M*A*S*H" is an example of a TV series single camera production that was aired in the 80's. This clip  uses some jump cuts which are the easiest way to get from one shot to another. Scrubs is another example of a single camera production that's a comedy/drama sitcom. 
All the formats are best suited for the single camera process because it makes the end product look better. For example the one off film, a filmmaker only has to manage one camera and they will get a better performance from their actor so the end product will be more impressive. The same thing goes for series and serial dramas etc, especially if it's a one time series that has 6 episodes it's easy to make and you can stick to your budget.

There are a few different narrative structures that single camera productions can follow. Either; Linear, where the narrative makes sense and starts at the beginning and runs through till the end. Non linear, where the narrative isn't straightforward and can start in the middle and end at the beginning. A filmmaker can also tell part of a story using flashbacks, this will show the audience the back story behind a character or an event so that they have more understanding of something.
For ending, stories can go one of two ways - open or closed. An open ending is where the audience is left guessing, it could be left on a cliff hanger. Whereas a closed ending is where we know the answer and we have a resolution.
Narratives follow a 3 act structure, it can be shown in a graph where you plot points that represent inciting incidents, obstacles, mid point, lowest eb, climax, twist,  and a resolution.



Filmmakers can also tell stories through technical codes - it's a way of telling a story without verbally saying it. It can be shown through use of the camera - i.e different shots, lighting, sound, editing and Mise en Scene. For example if you wanted to show a character who signifies strength, you could include tracks in and out on them and include tilts from the feet up so it makes them look bigger and more important. Lighting used could be low key with it focussed on a specific person in the shot so that they're the focal point.
The sound used can make the audience feel a certain way whilst seeing the character, if you wanted to build up tension you would use slow but dramatic music with a rhythm, like a heart beat which would be used along side a tilt. These together will show the audience that it's a person of authority or importance without verbally saying it.

I think that single camera productions are a good way of showing how good of a filmmaker you are. You can be more independent and because you're only working with one camera you can manage it better and I think you can get a better end product out of it.