Short Film

Techniques, genres & formats

Welcome

to short film…

Over this unit you will be learning about single camera techniques,

before making your own single camera drama in small groups.

By the end of today, you

MUST understand how single camera techniques are used to create videos

SHOULD explain different formats and genres of single camera videos

COULD identify examples of different single camera videos

As we go through the lesson fill in your worksheet… it’ll help you to write your report later on…

1st off

What do we think a single camera production is?

There are 2 different types of video production technique we can use when making a film…

Multi-camera

There are 2 different types of video production technique we can use when making a film…

Single camera

Multi-camera

Films the action with several cameras, all at the same time.

Multi-camera

Is often filmed in a TV studio

Multi-camera

This footage is then edited live, in real time, by the vision mixer.

Lighting is above the studio floor and controlled remotely

What does each camera need, in order to work?

Single camera

Films the action with just one camera.

Which is quicker…

Filming the action with just one camera or with several cameras at

the same time?

Filming with multiple cameras allows us to capture the action from several angles, in just 1 take.

Its quick as its *mostly* filmed just the once, in REAL-TIME

And we also get a variety of different shots to use

Filming using a single camera takes more time

As we just have 1 camera we can only film the actors from 1 angle.

If we want to get a different shot, we need to refilm the scene from a different angle.

As we just have 1 camera we can only film the actors from 1 angle.

If we want to get a different shot, we need to refilm the scene from a

different angle.

Whenever we re-film a scene we have to move & relight….

After we’ve finished filming what else do we still need to do?

(much) of the film & TV industry is motivated by 1 thing…

Which sounds cheaper?

Multicamera

• Lots of cameras• Lots of camera

operators• TV studio• Gallery

• Full lighting rig

Single-camera

• 1 camera• 1 camera

operator• 3 lights

Filming using single camera techniques is:

• Cheaper• Easier with a small crew• Easier with a small budget • But it takes longer• But crucially…..• Its also more creative and liberating.

We can create more beautiful looking shots

We can take time to setup the perfect shot

We don’t have to worry about other camera operators being in shot so we

can get closer to the action.

Formats

What does Format mean?

“The way in which something is laid out.”

TASK

Working in small groups….

List as many film genres as you can on the flipchart

5 minutes

TASK 2

Working in small groups….

Each person take 1 film / TV genre and list everything you could expect to

see in that type of genre

(eg/ for sci-fi you might put “aliens”)

15 minutes

TASK 3

Working in small groups….

For each film / TV genre find an example of a series, a serial and single

stand-alone and write these down.

(eg/ for sci-fi you might put “Prometheus” as a single)

10 minutes

Lets hang the posters up….

Make sure to keep hold of the worksheets you have.

• You will need it for your report, so don’t lose it…..

• If you need a spare you can find it on Moodle.