Multi-camera is a method used in recording videos which consists of only using 2 or more cameras simultaneously. These cameras are then fixed in positions quite close to each other and are then cut between either 'live' or 'as live' events.
Talent Show
Talent shows tend to use multi-camera because they are filmed "as-live". In talent shows, multi-camera is preferably used to catch everything. The cameras are to used to focus on and get a variety of shots of the individual, the judges and the audience to pick up body language, emotion and the overall performance. An example of a talent show that i have used would be Britain's Got Talent. I have a clip from a recent episode of this years Britain's Got Talent of Canadian magician that stunned the audience, judges and public viewers by his amazing dove illusion.
Audience amazed by first act.
In this clip, there are approximately 8 cameras showing his performance. There is a camera fixed on the audience to show their reaction and preferably to add tension to the act. There are 2 cameras focused on the judges, one from a low angle and one from a mid shot. There are 2 camera's focused on the performer, so the viewers can see what he is doing. There are two cameras on a crane, giving an establishing shot to show everything; and there is a cameraman filming behind Ant and Dec to show their emotion and what they're doing. In 1:37, it shows his first act where he turns a feather in to a dove, which wows and confuses the audience.
Magician turning 4 doves in a cage into a woman
Magician turning a piece of cloth in to a dove
The practical reasons of why this genre uses multi-camera are so they can catch and record unexpected moments that have will have an impact on the audience and judges. An example of an unexpected moment would at 3:23, where for his last act, he turns the 4 doves he made appear previously and turns them into a woman.. Another reason why this genre would use multi-camera would also be the coverage of action. By coverage, it means how much action is filmed in one event. By having multiple cameras, the producers can pick up everything that is being shown. If this show did not have multiple cameras then the audience would not be able to get the range of shots of the individuals performance, like watching this magicians turn a piece of cloth in to a dove and seeing Amanda Holden's reaction (judge) at 2:02. This would more or less be impossible to create with just one camera because there would be so much time wasted re-positioning the camera to see the judges and audiences reactions. So coverage of action in multi camera is very important so the viewer can see everything that is happening.
Judge shocked by illusion
The aesthetic reasons of why this genre uses multi-camera are so they can maintain the viewer's interest. During a talent show, the act has to be interesting and entertaining, especially on a show like BGT where they can be sent off if they're boring. For an act like magic, it is hard to keep the audience and viewers entertained but it is interesting to see if the performer will be good or not. Most failed acts on talent shows are rather humorous so the show itself it quite popular. Back to this specific act; magic itself has to interest and stun viewers. People want to be deceived, they want to believe in something they know can't be true so by having multiple cameras, the reactions of the judges and audience are captured and the tension by the camera shots and music increases showing the public that something could go wrong and the performer could mess his entire act up. Another reason why this genre would use multi-camera would be due to the visual style and mode of address. By having multiple camera the producers are able to cut different shots varying from establishing, close ups, mid shots, high/low angles and long shots when ever it's possible. An example of this would be from 2:38 to 3:10 where the magician has an egg in his hand which shorty turn into a tiny dove, he then alights a feather, turning it into a cage then all of a sudden a spark appears and he is then holding two cages with two small doves inside. After this trick, the camera was going back and forth from the judges, the audience, Ant and Dec backstage and then back to the magician to show their reactions and what could possibly do next. The only main disadvantage for using multi-camera in talent shows is that for each camera used whilst filming costs money. In talent show contests, there are on average 8-9 cameras used which would cost the producers a lot of money.
Public Event
Public events tend to use multi-camera because they are filmed "live". In public events, multi-camera is always used to catch absolutely everything. The cameras are to used to focus on every angle of the location and can get a variety of shots of the public, the bride & groom, the royal family, the guests and the location. The camera are fixed on the 4 groups above to capture their emotion, body language and show to show what is overall happening. An example of a public event that i have used is a scene from the Royal Wedding of Prince William & Kate Middleton. I used a short clip of her beautiful entrance where the whole nation finally saw the secret dress and see her walk down the aisle.
Birds eye view shot inside Westminster
In this clip, there is an estimate of 10 or more cameras shown in this part of the event. It is tricky to tell because some are in the same angle but a different shot which can be mistaken for 2 cameras. There are 3 cameras on a crane; one overlooking the inside of Westminster Abbey from a birds-eye view, showing all guests and the layout of the altar. One following the bride as she walks down the aisle and one following the groom and his brother walking down the aisle. The practical reasons of why this genre uses multi-camera are so that they are able to capture the whole entrance and walk-down. They would switch cameras from time-to-time to show everything but in a different angle. An example of this would be at 0:31-1:53, when Kate Middleton stepped out of the car and walked into the church. There were cameras at at the bride's every angle to record every movement she made until she was preparing to walk down the aisle. I counted 6 different shots and camera angles used in that duration of time; they were used to show off her wedding dress that was kept a secret until she stepped out of the car which explained the long shots and high angles. Another reason for why this type of genre would use multi-camera would be so they would be able to have a wide range of different shots and angles, making the event much more appealing to watch on television. The producers can rapidly change shots between cameras, this can be from a close up to an establishing shot in order to capture everything and give the public a reaction to what they're watching. This makes it more interesting for people to watch, knowing that a huge public event like a royal wedding on television will be talked about for weeks and by capturing everything, it makes it more visually appealing to everyone.
Shot of Kate's wedding dress.
Shot to catch emotions
The aesthetic reasons of why this genre uses multi-camera are so they can maintain the viewer's interest. An event like a Royal Wedding would be interesting and exciting anyway but that means the producers have to up their game and make it look amazing on camera. By using multiple cameras, they can show whats happening from a load of different places. For example, there are cameras fixed on the public outside of Westminster Abbey, there are camera's fixed on some of the guests and there are camera's fixed on the Royal Family. There is 2 shots that follows Prince William and Kate Middleton walking down the aisle individually. This is shown at 3:48-4:40 and 4:41 to 7:17. This could have a very positive effect on the audience because they could feel very involved with the wedding and continue to watch it. Another aesthetic reason of why this type of genre would use multi-camera would be due to the visual style and mode of address. By having multiple camera the producers are to create a type of sense of feeling for the audience and viewers to feel at home. This event is supposed to make the public feel happy regardless. But with multiple camera shots and visual style, it makes it even more optimistic. The cameras focus on people's feeling like for example below, there is a picture of the bride smiling to show how happy she is.
The only main disadvantage for using), each camera that is used to films is expensive and there were 72 camera's used in the duration of the vow exchange so it must of cost a significant amount of money for the producers to film.
Game Shows
Game shows usually use multi-camera because they are filmed "as-live". With games shows, it would be very diffucult to cover everything with a single camera because there needs to be specific shots to capture every moment and a single camera could not do that because it would have to change angle and shots which would consume a lot of time. As an example, I have used a clip from a game show called 'Golden Balls'. This game shows depends on lying and trust; In the final, there is a game called "Split or Steal". This means after they reach thier jackpot total, the two contestants must choose one of two final golden balls, one with "Split" written inside, and one with "Steal" written inside. The two contestants usually say to each other they are going to share the jackpot and then they have to reveal what ball they chose. If both contestants chose the "Split" ball, then they both share the jackpot. If both contestants chose the "Steal" ball, then they loose and both go home with nothing. However, if one contestant chooses "Split" and another chooses "Steal", then the contestant that chose "Steal" will walk away with the entire jackpot, leaving the other with nothing.
Right player "steals" money
I have used this game show as an example because you can't determine what's going to happen which draws you in to watching more because you want to know what's going to happen. This scene of the 'reveal' was quite popular on YouTube because it was very unexpected. In this clip, there are on average 8 used. These cameras are used to follow every movement the players make, so the viewers and audience are not confused. The practical reason for using multi-camera in games shows are show they coverage everything that's happening. With just one camera, it would be impossible to pick up the contestants movements, body language and the atmosphere between the audience in a few seconds. This process would taken a long time and would be boring to watch. With multi-camera, the producers can capture everything in a short period of time. An example of this would be from 2.28-2:59. There are 5 different shots used to show the public what is happening and how it creates a tense moment.
Camera shows body language
The aesthetic reasons for using multi-camera in game shows would be by mode of address; to create a build up emotions and tense atmosphere.By mode of address, it means "what were they trying to create" feeling. By using a variety of shots during -for example- the showdown of who chose what ball moment. There is a tense few seconds due to the zoomed in shots and close ups to capture the contestants facial expressions before and after they see what each other had chose. This is visually appealing to the public and audience because they want to feel invoked and know what happened. Another aesthetic example of using multi-camera would be to maintain viewers interest. As i've said before, people want to know what happened and don't like getting confused so, by using multiple cameras the public get a good idea what happening and by using lots of shots, pace and movement, the tension builds up making it so much more exciting. This is good for the company and producers because it earns them money from all the viewings and results in profit because people are going to be interested and excited to watch the next. The disadvantages of using multi-camera in games shows would be that sometimes the pace of the shots are either too slow or too fast which could bore or confuse viewers and there are a lot of cameras used in filming to record everything in a short period time, this would cost the producers a lot of money.
Concerts
Concerts will always use multi-camera to record a live event. It would be almost impossible to capture every moment in the concert if there was only one camera rolling recording the band, singers, audience and location at once. The example of a concert that i have used would be part of Beyonce's 2013 concert called "The Sound of Change". I used this concert because there are a lot of camera's used and a variety of shots/angles shown on screen. The camera uses a lot of different shots and angles to show what is happening, e.g. with establishing shots, long shots mid shots, close ups and high/low angles. From 10:49 to 11:09, there is a shot where the a crane shot which pans around in a semi-circle to show how big her audience and concert is. The crane shots that are shown in her concert exhibits how big her event is and how many people there are, this is good for the audience because it is exciting and makes you want to watch more.
Crane shot of part of crowd.
The practical reasons for using multi-camera in concerts is so that they are to be able to cover the whole performance. In one song, for example "Single Ladies" at 27:11- 31.00, there are approximately 14 cameras used to capture that whole act. By using a lot of cameras, the producers will not miss any of the performance as they continuously change camera angles, catching close ups of her singing, long shots of her dancing and establishing shots of the stage and audience. This has a positive effect on the public so they enjoy it and find it visually appealing. The constraints at a show like this one could be where the cameras are placed. Seeing as Beyonce is a very famous singer, her concerts are usually very successful so there would be a lot of cameras to capture every moment. Because there would be such a big crowd, the audience probably would be annoyed and agitated by all the cameras in the way trying to get it to film her, another issue could be where exactly the camera's are placed, if there are people too close, the camera's or equipment could get damaged which would cost money for the producers.
Close up of singer
The aesthetic reasons for using multi-camera in concerts is so that there is visual style and mode of address. By showing different angles and displaying different parts of the event, it makes the performance look very professional and entertaining. There are certain shots in the performance where the camera is focused on the crowd showing they are enjoying themselves and this makes it more interesting and gives a positive effect to the viewers watching on television allowing them to see the whole show and also the crowd is singing and dancing along.
Crowd enjoying song
The disadvantages of using multi-camera in concerts is that the producers would have to pay an extreme amount of money for each camera being used and for an event like this, there would be around a 100 cameras used for good effect and to film every moment. Another disadvantage for using so many cameras would be because there's a massive crowd with tens of thousands of people, there is a possibility that the equipment could be handled carelessly or damaged so precautions must take place in order to secure the equipment and keep that and the crowd safe.
Chat Shows
Chat shows use multi-camera to represent a guest and host having a general conversation and/or Q&A with the camera's being able to switch back and forth to record everything that happens whether it being the audience or the star talking. The chat show I've used as an example would be Alan Carr: Chatty Man, guest starring Nicki Minaj. I have used this episode because there are a lot of a camera shots and i found it quite exciting and interesting to watch.
Shot of Nicki's outfit & entrance
A practical reason for using multi-camera in this show is to get complete coverage of the action. This means that the cameras are able to catch spontaneous moments of someone's body language or what they're saying, which is exciting to the viewers that could lead them to continue watching the show. An example this would be Nicki's entrance and greeting to Alan Carr at 0:00 to 0:12. There are 3 cameras shots in this time frame. One is a long shot showing Nicki walking down the stairs, the second shot is a close up of Nicki's face to show her body language and how happy she is to be on the show, the third shot would be a mid shot to show Nicki and Alan greeting each other by an air kiss. The constraints of a chat show like this one could be where there wouldn't be able to use as much movement. During the clip we don't see any of the audience, which shows that even though there are a lot of cameras, they do not use all of them. This could make the show look sort of dull or boring because some viewers might prefer to see the audience's reaction and how they feel to make it look interesting and exciting.
Establishing shot of stage
The aesthetic reasons for using multi-camera in a chat show would be to maintain the viewer's interest. Maintaining the viewers interest can be quite difficult when it comes down to chat shows because there isn't a lot of camera angles used because it's mainly a conversation between the host and guest star. The public could also loose interest as in the chat show because it depends on who is being interviewed, depending on the viewer's preferences. Another aesthetic reason for using multi camera is to give the show a visual style.
Long shot of guest and host
The visual style of this show is calm because there isn't a lot of action so the cameras do not need to be re positioned a lot. The disadvantages of using multi-camera's in chat shows are because if the producers are going to show consistent camera's switching from the same two shots then it would be very dull and boring and wouldn't be visually appealing to the public. Another disadvantage of using multicamera with chat shows would be that with all the camera's used to record the show, there are only a few that are actually used on screen, so it would be a slight waste of money and time on the producers and camera men.
Magazine Show
Magazine Shows uses multi-camera in orders to make the show more gripping for public na d audience. The chat show I've used as an example is The One Show, guest starring two cast members from the hit show "Game of Thrones". I have used this episode because there are a lot of a camera shots and it was interesting to watch.
Establishing shot
One practical reason as to why a magazine show would use multi-camera would be that they can cover everything that happens.For example at 1:10, we see a shot of the presenters talking about the television show they are in. At 1:47, there is a shot of where the camera zooms out in to a long shot so we can see what the presenters and guests are doing and they're reaction to the how they summarized the programme for the public. we wouldn't be able to see both parties body language or reactions with just one camera, which would of made the show boring and dull. Another practical reason as to why a magazine show will use camera is because the show is live, the public wouldn't want to see the camera man moving around and re positioning his camera on the stage in order to get the shot. The public would expect shot to naturally appear, which is done with multi camera not a single camera.
Close up of actress
An aesthetic reason for using multi camera on a magazine show is to create a visual style and what they are trying to create with a mode of address. In my example, there is a very relaxed, calm mode because the camera shots aren't changed continuously, it's every so often which naturally would make the viewers more calm and relaxed themselves, leaving them to continue watching the show. This then leads to show to look fun and interesting which give it a good visual style leaving it looking exciting and visually appealing to the audience. It unfortunately, could be mistaken for being boring and not that entertaining because it consumes time changing shots to see reaction and body langauge of the presenters and guests so that could be a constraint or disadvantage.
Camera Angle
Live Sports
Any live sports event will always use multi-camera to film the event because it allows everything to caught on camera without missing any action. IIt would be impossible to record a live event with only one camera as to the fact that the camera needs to be continuously picking up important moments and there has to be a frequent change in camera shots/angles. An example of a live sports event I am going to talk about is figure skating from the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Close up of skater
One practical reason for why live sports use multi-camera is so they can cover everything and catch spontaneous moments. Figure skating is a good example for unexpected moments because the skaters need to wow the judges by their performance so the would occasionally improvise with their dance routine to get a better score. You need multiple cameras to catch these type of moments, they need to be still frames which pans along the rink when trying to record something unexpected because it builds up tension and leaves the public wanting to see more. There has to be multiple cameras when filming a live event to capture everything; with just one camera, it would look very boring, not to mention the camera man having to move around continuously to re position the camera in order to get a better shot of the skater's performance. Another practical reason for using multi-camera in a live show would be the constraints, but with this genre, there doesn't seem to be any because everything is set up and there are sections for where the camera and its crew film which are away from the audience so there could be no risk of damage and mishandling of any kind.
Establishing shot of location
The aesthetic reasons for why live sports use multi-camera is to maintain the viewer's interest. With figure skating, anything is possible. A skater could fall of her head or perform an unplanned or expected triple lutz, no-one apart from their coach knows what they are going to do so with multi-camera, it is important to keep a close eye on a skater. An example of an unexpected moment would be from 13:31-13:37, where a skater performed and triple toe loop. and 13:57- 14:01, where she performed a triple loop jump. These are beautiful and impressive techniques that would intrigue the audience and viewers which would lead to continue watching and find out what happens. Another reason for why live sports use multi-camera is to create a visual style and mode of address for the public. Figure skating is a beautiful sport itself and it is very relaxing to watch which makes the mode very natural and calming; this could and most likely affect the public by making them feel very calm and relaxed throughout the programme. The visual style is created by the camera movement and angles used and luckily in figure skating, there is frequent zooming in and out to build up tension and to make the technique more outstanding. With figure skating, the camera follows them around the rink to record their every moment on the ice, when they perform a technique, the camera would zoom in on them to build up the tension and allow the audience to see every detail of it.
Figure Skater dancing. Long shot
The disadvantages of using multi-camera with a live event is because of the cost. With recording a live event, there must be a lot of cameras and each cost a good amount of money to film so after the production is completed, the producers would be left with a high fee to pay for the camera usage. Another disadvantage of using multi-camera to film a live event such as figure skating would be how frequent the camera shot are. If they are quite rapid, when it comes to a sports show, then there needs to fast and frequent camera changes. If the camera shots were not fast paced then the show would seem dull and long.
Concerts will always use multi-camera to record a live event. It would be almost impossible to capture every moment in the concert if there was only one camera rolling recording the band, singers, audience and location at once. The example of a concert that i have used would be part of Beyonce's 2013 concert called "The Sound of Change". I used this concert because there are a lot of camera's used and a variety of shots/angles shown on screen. The camera uses a lot of different shots and angles to show what is happening, e.g. with establishing shots, long shots mid shots, close ups and high/low angles. From 10:49 to 11:09, there is a shot where the a crane shot which pans around in a semi-circle to show how big her audience and concert is. The crane shots that are shown in her concert exhibits how big her event is and how many people there are, this is good for the audience because it is exciting and makes you want to watch more. 
