Multi-camera production case studies

Multi-camera production case studies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZqXvj2eMB0

Live event:

Union of warriors – MMA

Union of warriors is an MMA event in Cambodia where MMA athletes fight in a cage. All contestants fight athletes who are similar weight and height to their opponents.

Majority of the action takes place in ring mainly in the centre. The coverage of the action is in the ring.  There are roughly 5 cameras around the ring. Each camera is placed on a higher level from the ring. The reason why each camera is located in different areas is because it would show a different angle to the fight.  Only one camera is on the ground floor which films the fight generally when the fighters fight on the floor.  Camera on the ground floor next to the ring is the cut away camera during breaks. They use the cut away if there is a technical problem or in-between commercials. It is also used to keep the audience busy looking at the screen. It films the models holding a card each round. 

Camera angle 2 set on the top boundary of the ring. This shot is a bird’s eye view showing the action from above. It maintains the viewer’s interest by showing another view to the fight. It gives the audience a different perspective to the fight.

Camera angle 3

This angle shows a medium close up. This shot is to show the hand to hand combat.  The camera moves in this angle as the fight happens. This is to make sure the audience would be able to see the fight going on. 

Camera angle 4. In this shot there is something interesting. Text is shown on screen by the vision mixer showing the names of the commentators in a graphic insert (caption). Also it shows contact details via Facebook. 

Camera angle 5. Throughout the fight there is a graphic insert (caption) in the corner of the screen. This tells the audience how long each round is. 

Camera angle 6, this camera is the same camera used in the first angle. It’s being used as a close up but from a low angle.

The coverage of the fight is only the stage but sometimes the coverage can change to the models who pose next to the stage.

The programme communicates to the audience by having commentary during and before the fight. It keeps the audience engaged. Before the fight starts the fighters get prepared during this time commentary plays in and it keeps the audience occupied.  What happens after the presenter presents both fighters he mentions the nation there from. When this happens on screen the name appears. This is to inform the audience about the fighters. This action is a tool to keep the audience engaged because the audience is looking as well as listening to what is happening.

Soon the bell rings the fight begins. As the fight goes on, people who sit at the panel commentate on the fight. Sometimes they talk about the moves the fighters use.  It helps the audience who do not know about martial arts moves. The commentary helps audience know what is happening if they see the fight late. It is the mouth piece to the show. 

To keep the audience interested in what happens the producer or camera switcher changers from different camera shots. The reason for this is to get a better angle on the fight as it moves. Sometimes it keeps the audience watching the fight. Each shot shows another view to the fight. 

For example in the picture on the left it shows the camera having a high angle close-up. The problem with this is that the audience cannot see what is happening because the camera is showing the fight form a higher angle. So the camera on the ground level films the same exact fight but form a different angle. The shot on ground shows more on what’s going on. In this case the camera on the right compensates for what the other camera cannot show.

Visual style of this programme is being intense and feeling the presence of the fight but in your own home. One way they do this is by adding in the audience audio. The stage is in the centre of the venue and seats sound it. This gives the impression of an arena which can be seen from all angles. This is because the fight would move all around the stage so the fight can be seen by all live audience personnel.

In the picture on the right you see the lights all point at the stage to show the focus of attention. The lighting is dimmed on the audience this is done to shift the focus off them. In the camera shots you would be able to see different sponsors. One of the names of the show is in the middle of the ring. The rings floor is grey to make the sponsors companies stand out.The logos are all surrounding the main events logo. The reason for this to show the sponsors as well as showing off them off to different audience members who seated in different areas.      The camera cuts from one camera to another is organised and not one black screen is seen. The cuts are fluid and professional.The clothing of both fighters are different. For example one fighter is wearing red shorts while the other wears a blue colour. The reason behind this is to show the difference between both fighters. The colours are both eye catching and the material slightly reflects the light. 

The programme has a common structure for each match. Fighters have big entrances with loud music playing.To show the fighters are arriving to hype up the entrance.
  The names of fighters are repeated. A camera goes into the ring. Much of the sequence is repeated. For each match the models might change or the music might change.  

In terms of camera shots. Every programme has the same medium shot this is because the fighting is more upper body. The camera angle changes when the fighting happens on the ground or if the fighters are spread apart.

The constraints of the location is small for this programme, the cameras have been all setup in deliberately in these positions by being placed on corners of the cage. 

(If you look closely you can see the cameramen on the left as well as the right setting up around the cage.)

This is because there are no structures to support the camera high enough to get a good camera angle. All the cameras have been setup around the ring because the action takes place there. Another reason why the cameras are around the ring is because the audience takes up most of the space around the ring. The problem with the audience is that they can get into the way. The camera angles are roughly the same medium shot. This is because the fight moves from place to place. The cameras have to change angles at times because if they don’t the camera would not be able to film the fight. The movement space of the cameras is roughly 160 degrees. The problem with a location like this is that it forces cameras to be positioned in a way in which you can see other cameras in some shots. However majority of the audience or views would not really notice it.

In this multi-camera production there are 5 cameras all together. The reason why there are multiple setups is because when the fight happens the cameras can pick up different angles of the fight. Also the crowd is behind the cameras so they would not take the attention away from the fight. Also if a technical fire was to happen the audience would be closer to the fire exist.

A benefit of having a multi-camera set up is if a camera went down the vision mixer would switch to another camera or to the cutaway camera showing the audience or the models. If more than one thing was happening the produces would switch from cameras. All action is monitored by the producer who orchestrates what is being seen on screen.  

A consequence of having a setup such as this is the cost as well as space being taken. Majority of the space is taken up by the crowd. Another problem is the cabling. Creating recces for this type of environment is not too much of a hassle to make.

Multi-camera case study 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd6m6jwX0gU&list=PLfP5n4mTI7Xz4_CykXLaMOUwMsK71Wn4Z

In this show there are roughly 20 different camera angles. In the beginning after the pre-recorded footage there is 3 cameras one facing Gordon Ramsey the other cameras facing the contestants.  When Gordon Ramsey addresses the audience the camera goes to a wide showing all the faces. The second camera then does a close up on certain faces.

Camera 1. This shot is a long shot. This shows the people who are in the programme.

Camera 2. This shot is a high angle shot. The camera is placed on a crane capturing footage from up high.

This is an example of a close up and pre-recorded scene where people give their view on things.

                       

The coverage of action in the first part of the show takes place in a room with 3 cameras. Only two camera shots are used with close-ups and few extreme close ups. 

(When the contestants meet Gordon Ramsey)

Camera 1. This screen shot shows a close up. The purpose of this is to show the reaction of the person who is being filmed.

Camera 2. This shot is medium

Camera 3. This shot shows the long shot in which everything is seen from the chief to the people in front of him.

In another section of the show where the participants of the show go to their rooms.  There was 4 other cameras and pre-recorded clip.  The pre-recorded clip is intended for the audience to show the accommodation.  Then there is a switch to the cameras showing the reactions of the participants.

This example on the right is a camera on the outside of the kitchen. The picture on the right shows a small camera placed showing an alternative view on the kitchen.

When the restaurant opens there are roughly 10 cameras. 2 small cameras placed on both sides. There is one crane cameras where the costumer/audience are.  The rest of the cameras are placed around the kitchen. The reason why they are placed around the kitchen because the cameras might distract the participants of the show.  

The high angle shot takes footage of people’s food and footage of stuff from above using a crane. This shot shows the audience where the live audience sit and eat. Also it shows the audience the restaurant and where the contestants would be working. It is an establishing shot in some way.

The coverage of action in the first part of the show takes place in a room with 3 cameras. Only two camera shots are used with close-ups and few extreme close ups.

The way the show communicates the meaning to the viewer is by showing the frustration of the participants as well as the host of the show. The music that plays in the background adds and affect to the mood that changes. The way the cameras are placed and the close ups you can see people’s emotions. This keeps the audience entertained because at any moment someone would get scarred or sad and that’s what the audience is waiting for. Within the show there are interviews with the participants and it shows there views on the drama that takes place.

The visual style of the programme is very similar to many other show.  The sequence of what goes on is basic like many other shows and is similar to other “Gordon Ramsey” shows. The title of the show and into shows how intense the programme is going to be.  In the beginning you see the chiefs and an animation of Gordon Ramsey being angry.  The animation of the fire shows the “hell” part of the title and it reflects the heat and rage of the show. It is a metaphor for Gordons rage and the heat of the kitchen.

The lighting is bright at the kitchen to show everything there. But the area where customers are the lighting is dim.  In the example above you can see the difference between the lighting in the kitchen and the lighting in the restaurant.  

The lighting is to show where the focus of attention is. Also the music that is played when something bad happens makes the scene feel more dramatic.

The costumes are different for each team, one team has blue the other has red this is to show the competition between both sides. Gordon Ramsey where’s a white chief clothing to show he’s neutral form both teams.

To maintain viewers interest the producer has set up multiple cameras in different areas. Majority of the camera angles are close ups when there is a dialogue. Sometimes the camera zooms out if two people are close together. When two people are talking the editor switches from camera to camera showing both people.

The viewer is mainly interested in the food so there are plenty of close ups on the dishes.  We can also see close ups on people’s faces as well.  The reason why there are many close ups is because the audience needs to see reactions and quality closer. This is one of the main ways to keep viewers interest.

The format for this programme starts off with explaining the show. It goes on to people's views and what they want. It continues to them making food. Then it shows the luxury accommodation of the participants. The show then goes on to the restaurant part of the show where they serve customers. After the food has been served and Gordon Ramsay screaming at people the restaurant part ends. Then the next part of the show shows Gordon Ramsay giving his opinion on what happened and tells participants who should leave the programme.

There are a few pre-recorded clips which show people’s views on drama that goes on in the show.

In the programme I found no scripted elements or scene. It was very hard to find anything which was scripted because everything looked normal.

There were not many constraints in terms of space in the show.  In parts of the programme to get shots from a high angle they use a camera on a crane. This is very clever because the camera would not be in people’s faces and would get bird's eye view shots. It also gives an image of the area where there filming. Filming in the kitchen would be hard because the space is small and crowded. Also the camera could cause problems for the chefs. So the cameras are placed around the kitchen. Two small cameras are set in the kitchens of both teams.

The kitchen has 2 doors on both sides so if a case of a fire or any other health and safety risk the chefs can leave using those exists. The audience on the other hand can leave by walking in the opposite direction of the kitchen. They can exist using the doors of the right. When covering the audience only one camera man films only one table. They would use permission of the audience member first.

If technical issues occur the vision mixer would change to another camera.  But generally if something is going on like drama then a camera goes down the vision mixer would change the angle to something closer/similar to replace the previous shot. This decision compensates the camera shot that goes down.

This show has multiple cameras which has many positives such as if one camera was to go offline then there are other cameras which can film. Another positive would be more footage can be captured form various angles and can keep the audience occupied. The negatives on the other hand would be editing because lots of time would be needed to complete this work due to the various footages. Another negative would be money being spent on equipment as well as crew to operate the cameras.