Unit 22 - Single camera vs multi camera

Single camera vs multi camera 

Single-camera sitcoms were used and introduced in the 60's and 70's. Multi-camera sitcoms were then introduced in the 80s and 90s. Today? The entertainment industry is torn between the two. Modern Family and Everybody hates Chris follow the single-camera method. Each clip and each piece of dialogue is filmed separately. The good quality of each camera angle gives these shows a movie feel that is very unique and makes the show more appealing to the audience. How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory are filmed with multiple cameras. These sitcoms snap back and forth between angles, from one character to the next, from head-on to profiles, for punchline set-up and character reactions. Single camera also benefits the director as they get complete control over what is being shot. For example, they are able to focus on one scene without having to fuss over over a lot of cameras. 

Multi-cam sitcoms are much easier and cheaper to film. Everybody is performing together at the same time, so it involves less takes and less time. Multi-cam sitcoms also have a better lifespan on TV. That’s because single-cam comedies can be very  risky. Not only because they are very expensive to shoot, but because they can completely go wrong. Each actor is filmed individually, which makes acting more difficult, and more subject to criticism if they do not act good when filming on a singe camera. If one character cannot hold his/her own on a single-cam sitcom, it will most likely be cancelled. Whereas on a multi-cam sitcom, the angles are switching so fast between dialogue characters can often help each other. The big bang theory is a good example of an effective multi-cam filming because witty banter goes back and forth between characters at a fast pace. 

A show that uses a single camera and is successful is Everybody hates Chris. This is an example of an successful show that used a single camera and was very popular. Even though this TV show was a single camera it worked and still made people laugh. They were able to make conversations flow perfectly and make people laugh when it came to the punchline. There single camera was so good that they won an award for 'Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series'. 

Here are the differences between the two: 

Single camera 

In this clip from Everybody hates Chris we can see that a single camera is being used as the clip as each character is being shown individually when saying jokes. This makes it easier for the character to say their joke and make the audience laugh. 

Multi camera 

 In this clip we can see there are multiple cameras being used as when the characters are talking they are shown at different angles. 

What do people think?

"A lot of people are very seduced by the romance of a single-camera comedy… They're definitely harder to do.. but being able to craft and score with hard jokes -- we are particularly good at it. I think we have a very keen ability to identify those talents who can really deliver that kind of comedy.” 

-Nina Tassler

" Single-camera for the win. the greatness of seinfeld and a few other gems notwithstanding, single-cam shows are smarter, funnier, less predictable, and more creative"

"I love multi-camera sitcoms," he said. "I want to know when the joke is coming. It's easier and more fun to watch. And in a time of recession, I really believe that people want to sit down and laugh about their lives

What do I think?

Personally I think both single camera and multi camera are good but when watching a TV series or sitcom I would prefer a multi camera. Using a multi camera in my opinion is better because we are able to see reactions and emotions through different angles, the transition from one person to another will be smoother as they film the whole thing together than shooting one person then re-doing it to film the other person.

what do you think?