Multi Camera Set Up Studio Events

What is a multi camera set up?



Give examples with screen shot
How does it work?


It works by multiple cameras being set up and the camera operators transitioning through the shots during the studio event to show different angles and perspectives of the event.
What is its purpose?
The purpose of multi camera set ups in studio events are to give the audience more perspectives of the set and the different people involved, For example, multiple camera can show the different characters on the set of the studio.



What is a studio event?

A studio event is an event that is held in a studio in front of a live audience in many different formats.



What kind of formats do studio events have?
Panel Show
Panel Show and Magazine Shows are very similar towards each other because they're set out the same way, for example the way the studio laid out in terms of audience and where the camera are. Panel shows use many camera because they are having to focus on different things all over the set, out of all of the formats a panel show uses the most cameras, My opinion is that panel shows are quite static because they are sitting because tables or desks like a news show.
News
News studios are static and lack movement because the News Anchors are sitting down and behind a desk. They're very different when compared to other studio events like a Sitcom because although come under the same category they're two completely two different formats.
Magazine Shows
They're not as many cameras when compared with a panel show because it it closer with the audience, they use less cameras so the audience feels closer with the celebrities and the host, they use the cameras differently when compared with a Sitcom, a Sitcom uses cameras to transition to different locations on the set rather than switch to different parts of the set like a magazine show does. They use the audience in a very different way, such as the audience are there to listen to the hosts on a magazine show, for example, Jeremy Kyle but on a Sitcom the audience is there to watch and laugh with the audience at home.
Sitcom
Sitcoms are set out in a very different format when compared with the others, camera techniques for a Sitcom are very limited, they tend to use wide shots like a stage play because the camera man cant film on stage. The audience are there to reinforce laughter because it encourages audience at home to laugh and enjoy, filming in front of live audience is authentic
What kind of crew involves a live studio event and what are their purpose?
The Floor
Camera Operator: This is a huge job for every single one of the formats, the camera operators are in charge of filming the whole show, there job is to make sure all filming is done smoothly and efficiently, without Camera Operators the filming would not be done to a good standard.
Floor Manager: This is a rather big job on the set because they're in charge of all the props that are going to be used when filming or in the future, this is vital for the success of each one of the different shows. A floor Manager are in charge of all the cues for the actors and t also make sure the timing for everything is perfect and everything is going to plan.
Sound Recordist: A sound recordist job is very simple and quite self explanatory. They're in charge of the sound involved in every set, whether it is Sitcom or Panel show, they make sure each part of the sound that is being recorded, for example the sound or laughter of the audience needs to be at a certain level so you can hear the characters on set (Sitcom) or the host and the guest (Magazine)
Runner: A runner is in charge of many things, this job is where a lot of media based careers start, there main jobs are things like greeting the guests or the audiences of the different shows, bringing tea or coffee for the guests or actors, printing or gaining important information for the different shows. Although it seems like a small job, a runner is a big job in a media based environment because they keep a lot of the cast and characters moving and energised
The Gallery


Director: The director is the biggest person on set of these different shows, the biggest reason why he/she is so important is because he/she is the person that makes the show come to life with the ideas and helps the cast do there job's to make the show come together, without the Director the show wouldn't even happen because they're responsible for the show being broadcast onto Television.
Vision Mixer: As a Vision Mixer your prime responsibility will be to cut the camera shots together in any show that is recorded on multiple cameras. This can include studio shows and outside broadcasts, whether pre-recorded or live. They sit next to the director and operate a vision mixing desk. They cut and mix between shots, play in taped items and overlay graphics, all on the instructions of the director.
Sound Mixer: A sound mixer is responsible for the recording the dialogue of whoever is speaking, they're normally in charge of two other boom operators, this is a very important job because there role is essential when creating the show, without the them the sound would be lost and there would be no sound on the final product of the show and it would be able to be broadcast onto Television.
Producer: The producer is the second most important person on set just behind the Director, the Producer will oversee the project from start to finish. They play an integral part of the making of the show, by overseeing it and being on set at all times, they have to make sure everything is perfect and the show is good enough to be put on air, they also play a big part in the distribution and marketing of the show, without the Producer the TV show would defiantly not happen because they're very important for the making of the project.
What Techniques do each formats use and how do they differ?
VT's- This is a great technique for some of the formats, normally this is used in magazine shows, the biggest reason for it being used is to take the audience out of the studio to a different place. If they didn't use VT's the studio could get repetitive or boring, it lets the audience escape to another place whether it is an Interview or something else.
VT's- Video Tapes is also used in News shows, for many reasons, a big reason they have for using it is to show the audience a different place or a news reporter may be reporting on an event, if news needs reporting and it is a big event such as a famous death or a terrorist attack, they will use a VT to show the audience what has happened or have News report ready.
Camera Movements: The Camera Movements for a news studio are very static because the news anchors are sat down, they're not that many cameras in a News studio because how the studio and the News Anchors are presented. The shots that they do use will be medium shots, during a transition to a different part of the studio they will keep with a medium shot because it suits that kind of show.
Camera Movements (Sitcom): The camera movements for a sitcom tend to be quite fast paced, because they don't have much room for camera movement on the set of a Sitcom, the use of multiple cameras offers the opportunity to capture several angles of each scene simultaneously. The different camera shots they tend to use are simple, such as wide shots medium shots and close ups.
Camera Movements (Panel) A panel show uses a lot of movement with cameras because of many reasons, the first reason being because of all the action that is happening on set, the host, guests and audience all happening at once, they have to use the camera movement to there advantage. The second reason is because panel shows since the start have always been set out like this, it is very common that panel shows are always set out this way because it's what the audience are used to. They use a range of different camera shots, practically every one when filming a panel show because it pleases the audience at home to see something different and also by using different camera shots it makes the whole show look better and more professional.
Camera Movements (Magazine) The shots for a magazine show are very simple and follow typical conventions of how a show like this should be, they tend to use simple shots like the typical close ups, wide shots (showing the set) and medium shots to show both the set and the guests or host. I feel that magazine shows use the same amount of movement as a panel show does, because they have got to show the audiences reaction but also show the host and the guests it follows the way a typical magazine set should be filmed.
Laughter Tracks: Its is a huge thing for only one of the formats, Sitcom, since the beginning of Sitcoms laughter tracks have been used to make the audience (at home) intentionally laugh with the tracks, they also do this it to ensure there is no awkward silences during the funny scenes, laughter tracks are huge for Sitcoms because mostly every Sitcom uses Laughter Tracks for example, Friends, How I met Your Mother and Everybody Loves Raymond all use them.
Audience Interaction : This is used in only 2 of the 4 formats, Panel and Magazine, in retrospect use the same type of formula when using the audience, they both get the audience involved, whether it is coming on stage or just getting a quick medium or close up shot of them, they both use the audience when filming to capture there reactions to what is going on during film on stage, this is a good way to use the audience because not only does it show what the audience at home are missing out on but it has an element of comedy surrounding it.
What are the pros and cons of each?


A pro of VTs is that it is good too not always be watching the studio if you're an audience watching from home, it will get boring after a while so having a small switch up with a VT really gives the show something else, also if its something like a Panel show (Mock The Week). A con of VTs is that some people don't want to see VTs, they just want to watch the show and be informed by it what the News Anchors are saying, some say it is useless for the shows and that they don't want to see it because it is time wasting on the show.






A pro for Camera Movements is that it helps the show a lot, by using camera movements the camera doesn't stay in one place and makes it easier and better to watch, if there was no Camera Movement on the set, the show would be boring to watch and would be static and more like a formal news show than a Panel show. A con for Camera Movements is that some people don't always like the transition of camera all the time so the fast camera movements during some of the formats may not be pleasant for some of the audience.






A pro for the Laughter tracks is that it is great for a show like Friends that needs it to cut out the awkward silences between certain points, also they're good because it helps the audience to laugh along with the tracks. A con for Laughter tracks is that sometimes they can be more of a burden for the audience, on certain shows a laughter track doesn't fit and makes the show stupid and unfunny, also Laughter tracks can ruin the whole comedic experience for the audience.






A pro for audience interaction is that it is great for the audience to get involved with the show, the interaction for the audience at home can be funny/sad or just good for the show in general, it allows the audience to give there expression or show there feelings to what is happening on set. A con for audience interaction is that it can sometimes be unfunny or stupid, sometimes it doesn't even fit with certain TV shows and ends up turning bad for the show,some people just want to see the host and guests of the show, that's why they're watching the show and not for the interaction with the audience.










Find Examples of Live studio events, different formats

Compare both examples and how they each differ in formats, techniques and multi-camera set ups
My first analysis is of the popular 'Mock The Week' during the first 1:06 of the show i counted 25 shots showing all the guests, host and close up's of each, by looking at the first minute i can already see that a panel show uses a lot of transitions of the cameras to capture everybody's reaction to a joke or whatever has just been said, this is good because unlike News it doesn't stick to one shot for a long period of time this mixes up the show a little bit and doesn't make it boring to watch. adding to this the techniques they have use already is a lot of camera movement throughout the time it is on. but they also use VT's throughout the show, this is a great and fun trick to use because it allows the audience and everybody else in the studio to catch there breath and watch a VT, this format i have used is very different when compared to News video i will be doing because the News report is very static and there isn't much movement, although behind a desk on Mock The Week there is a lot more movement especially with the host and the guests on stage.
Why have they used these camera set ups and techniques?
They have used these multi camera set ups because it is the best option for the kind of show they're making, due to a single camera production not nearly being enough cameras to work on this kind of set, this is a why multiple cameras work great because it allows you to give multiple perspectives on different things for example the audience, guests and the host, i feel they have also used this technique because makes sense, a single camera would be awkward and probably wouldn't work. The techniques they have used such as VT's are great because they go with what the whole show is about (popular culture), although not a lot of audience reaction is introduced through camera, you can quite clearly hear the sound of the audience laughing, this is a great way to capture your audience because it isn't forcing you to laugh like laughter tracks do but it is persuading you to join in, adding to this, the laughter on the tracks sounds forced and silly, but with real laughter it gives the show a more happy, enjoyable environment where it isn't awkward or sounds forced.
What meaning is created for the audience? Debate why multi camera techniques are used instead of single camera set ups
Multi Camera is used instead of a Single Camera studio because it would be hard and too awkward to film with one camera, especially if it is a panel show like Mock The Week, you would have to keep on moving every single shot across the studio, also it would make sense because a lot of the shots that they use wouldn't be able to be capture with one camera, my opinion is that multi camera is better because it allows you to complete more filming in a shorter duration and also it looks a lot better and more professional with multiple cameras because it gives different perspectives on how the show looks and feels. Multi Camera set ups show the audience everything that is happening when you're watching from home, i feel this is great because like i said, it gives the audience different perspectives of what everything looks like and doesn't get boring because it doesn't stay on one shot for two long and moves over to another shot every 3 seconds or so.

Compare both examples and how they each differ in formats, techniques and multi-camera set ups


My second analysis is a news show, this is very different when compared with the panel show 'Mock The Week', during the first minute of the show, you don't really see much movement with the hosts when compared with the first minute of the Panel show which consists of 25 transitions with a different of 'feel' to it, the Panel show isn't static at all, although it is being a desk like a News format, i feel that the constant transition between different shots of each guest really help to keep the show on its feet and mobile. A News studio is very different to a panel show in many ways, firstly the overall feel of both the formats are couldn't be more different, adding to this a News show is very formal, only giving you serious news, facts and figures but a Panel show is very different as they tend to be very informal depending on the show, for example, the Panel show i analysed 'Mock The Week' actually uses the News for the whole plot of there panel show, they take the recent News stories and make them informal. Adding to this they're similar in some aspects such as some techniques VT's, this technique is huge for both of the two different shows because there show is based around news, which means that they have to show video tapes of new that has happened recently, they use this technique because it makes sense for what both of the formats are about and it helps to audience to understand the stories better instead of just imagining them,


They have used these camera set ups because it is beneficial not just for the audience at home watching but also for the TV shows, News uses a static set up where only 3/4 shots are used and they don't really stray far from them different 3/4 shots, i feel they keep with the static 3 or 4 shots because they're what the audience at home and the camera operators are used too, also because of the format it is presented as, I think they use quite static shots to kind of symbolise that it is news and it still has to retain quite formal and overall seriousness of the show. As i said at the start, i think that they use these type of camera set ups because it is the best lay out for what it is, by making the show quite static and little movement, it means you're focusing more on what they say rather than what they're doing which is a great technique for a news show because it allows the audience to concentrate more on the important reports etc.


Multi Camera is used on a news show because although it doesn't use that many transitions between cameras and there isn't much camera movement, during the whole episode of the news they may have 4 different cameras all together, when compared with a panel show that has 6/7 different camera you really see a difference in the way the program is shown and actually filmed because they're multiple transitions during the panel show that the news show doesn't do. The camera shots they use help the audience understand what is going on and help it to realise what kind of genre it is. Although the News format doesn't follow the typical codes and conventions of multi camera set up because it doesn't change cameras and the angles don't really transition that much you can quite clearly see that a multi camera set up does benefit the format, also a news format doesn't really need a lot of transitions because it isn't there any need for them to have the transitions between the camera they use.