Multiple Camera

The Multiple Camera also recognised as Multiple Camera mode of production or even Multicam is a proccess of filmmaking and video production. Numerous cameras either film or professional video cameras are in use on the set and at the same time record or air a scene. It is regularly compared with single-camera setup, which uses one camera. Usually  the two outside cameras film close-up shots or ‘crosses’ of the two most energetic characters on the set at any given time, whilst the middle camera or cameras shoot a wider master shot to capture the comlete action and create the geography of the room, this way;  several shots are acquired in a single ‘Take’ without having to continuosly repeating to start and stop the action.

Here's  a brief example of multicamera shots.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/fMBviC-grVQ

In this short clip, it displays how multi camera is there to capture all that is needed to make the scene complete, it is able to show the presenter, guests and the audience as there are more than one camera around to show each and everyone of them. With multi camera it provides us a lot more than what single camera can offer, this is to allow the the audience at home to see everyone that is relevant to the show, this way they'll also feel part of it by simply watching the programme.

This is more well organised for programs that are to be publisied a short time after being shot as it decreases the time spent to film editing or video editing the footage. It is also a virtual requirement for standard, high-output programmes like daily soap operas, despite saving editing time, scenes may be shot promtly as it isn’t neccessary for re-lighting and the set-up of replacement camera angles for the scene to be shot all over again from the seperate angle. It also lowers the difficulty of tracking continuity issues that shortens when the scene is reshot from the distinct angles. This is a vital element of live television.

Drawbacks contain a reduction optimised lighting which requires to provide a concession for all camera angles and less suppleness in placing the essential equipment on scene, for example, there has to be microphone booms and lighting rigs. These can be ably out of sight from just one camera, although it can be difficult to set up and their position may be substandard in a Multiple Camera Setup.

Whilst shooting, the director and assistant director craft a ‘line cut’ by giving orders to the Technical Director or Vision Mixer if in the UK to change between the feed from the specific cameras. If this was sitcoms and includes studio audiences, this line cut is normally presented to them on studio monitors. The line cut may be sharpened up onwards in editing, regularly the output from all cameras is recorded, one by one and as a mix reference display which is identified as the ‘Q Split’. The camera currently being recorded to the line cut is specified by a ‘tally light’ which is also managed by a ‘camera control unit’ (CCU) on the camera as a reference both for the actors and the camera operators.