Single Camera Techniques

Series• An on going television programme that has a number of different

episodes and seasons to the programme• Usually a single camera technique but sitcoms use multi - camera as it

is faster and cheaper to produce• Genres of series range from comedies, drama’s, sci-fi and action• Series that are drama’s last for around 44 minutes and up to an hour

with adverts, whereas a comedy only lasts for half an hour, this is because drama’s get more air time than comedies as there is a lot of time to fill for a comedy show to be on for an hour

• Series are on tv but can then later be released on DVD in episodes

These examples are all series, as they are or were on going programmes

Serial• A one off drama which is split up into parts, usually shown day by day

beside each other but can be weekly until the serial has finished• A single camera technique as it is cheaper and easier to work with actors

with only one camera• Some genres that are assoicated with serials are: Horror, fantasy, drama

and elements of comedy• The plot of the serial unfolds within a number of episodes• Secrets and twists are revealed to the end of the serial• They often end on cliff hangers or leaving the audience asking questions

and wanting more of the serial• Serials are on TV but can later be released on DVD and can be accessed

online sites like Netflix, love film and blink box.

These are all serial programmes, as they were 4,6 or 8 part programmes

Single Drama• A one off single programme• Very expensive to produce• Single camera technique to allow more control over the shots taken• A dramatic and usually a fictional programme• Single drama’s are aired on TV but can be released onto DVD and

can be watched online

These are all single drama’s as they were only shown as a one off drama

Documentary / Docudrama

• Based on a real life event• Usually a single camera but can rarely be multicamera • Shown on TV but can be released to DVD and also watched online and

rarely made into films• They cover different genres such as historical events, nature and real

life events • Docudrama’s are similar to documentaries as they are based on a true

life story but the characters are played by actors

These are all documentaries or docudramas as they are based on true life

Soap Opera• Is shown everyday of the week of every month• Often have specials at christmas time and new year etc..• Multi cameras are used as they are faster and cheaper to produce the

soap operas• Soap operas are always dramatic and exaggerated with events that

occur in them• Some examples are Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Coronation street and

Emmerdale• On going programmes

Feature Film • Single camera productions to allow more control over the shots and how

the actors are stood and lit with the lighting• Normally 70 minutes in length excluding trailers• Are premiered in cinemas but then later released to DVD and then TV• Also available on Netflix, love film and blink box or to watch illegally

online• Genres range from comedies, horrors, drama’s, fantasy, sci-fi and action

Action film Comedy Film Horror Film Fantasy Film

Music Video • Produced to showcase a new song that an artist or band has

brought out• Shown on TV and later released to an album or single on CD, they

can also be watched online, on YouTube or downloaded from iTunes

• Shot in single camera generally but live parts of the video are shot with multicamera technique

• A lot of thought goes into the wardrobe and styling of the artist to make their music video look the best

Katy Perry – ROAR Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines