Single Camera Techniques

Single Camera Techniques

Single camera is a type of production in the film industry to make certain types of films using the single camera techniques. The single camera techniques are mainly used for the creation of drama shows and movies.



Formats in dramatic story telling

Serial drama

A serial drama is a type of TV shows where the plot is continued by revealing more information and context in each episode of the TV show as the show continues through the series. Serial dramas usually work by following the main story of the TV show that usually continues to the end of the TV show's season finale or if the main story is a really big story it will continue all the way until the TV fully ends. Unlike movies and other TV shows that one story per episode, which is usually 30 minutes an episode for one story, the writer for TV serial dramas want their narrative to last to the end of the season or the whole TV show. So the writer usually splits their main narrative into a series of episodes that range from 30 minutes to 1 hour an episode and they do this because their narrative is more complex to be made into just one episode. It is better that the writer does it this way because it won't confuse some of the audience by putting one whole story in one 30 minute episode which would be a rushed narrative and it wouldn't have a full effect compared to a full narrative that is told over a series of 40 minute episode. 

An example of a serial drama is Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones is a long running serial drama that has been adapted by the Game of Thrones books that have been written by George R R Martins. The Game of Thrones TV series is on its sixth season and it is still going on while carrying the main narrative of people trying to become the King or Queen.

Soap-opera

A soap-opera is another type of TV show that links together a lot of different story lines that most of the characters in the TV have and they focus around their lives. Most soap-operas usually have a run time of 30 minutes an episode and they are all in a series that usually has 20 episodes a series. Also most soap-operas are based in one main location that most of the characters live in or near and where the main story line takes place. The writers perspective of a soap-opera is that they want people to connect with the characters that they create and they believe that since they follow the lives of the characters people will be able to connect easier with them. By doing this the audience will like the characters more so that they will want to watch more episodes to see what happens to the characters that that like. 

An example of a soap-opera is EastEnders. EastEnders was created in 1985 by Julia Smith and Tony Holland for afternoon TV. Since 2001 the episodes on EastEnders broadcast each weekday, apart from Wednesdays, on BBC One, and again on BBC Three at 10.00 p.m. Since EastEnders started in 1985 there has been over 5224 episodes. The story lines in EastEnders examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End of London. The series primarily centers on the residents of Albert Square which is a Victorian square of terraced houses.

Single drama

A single drama is another type of TV show where the narrative is told within a single episode which can be compared to a serial drama where the narrative is told across a series of episodes. The narrative is told within one episode because the writer thinks that their idea will only be able to be told in one episode. But this doesn't mean that the narrative is a weak narrative it just means that the story will have more of an effect by having it as one episode and that the narrative might not be long enough to be told a series of episodes like a serial drama. 

An example of a single drama TV show is Toast. Toast is a one off TV show episode that aired on the BBC. Toast is an adaptation of Nigel Slater's memoir that follows Nigel's journey when he learns how to cook at a small age. This show was done as a single drama because the writers felt that it would be a more effective way to tell the story so they made it into a single drama and it could have been turned into series as well.

Narrative structures

Realism

Realism is the where the audience can think that the film could actually happen in the real world or they are based of real life events so it is the opposite of non-realism. This also make it a little bit easier for the to make a realism film compared to a non-realism film but it makes it more of a challenge for the director to make it really interesting so the conflict and characters don't get boring for the audience. This makes the story and the characters more relate able for the audience since it could actually happen in the real world. So in a realism film there won't be any big fight scenes, big monsters or anyone with super powers. Instead you will be seeing a lot of  basic and plan weapons for the fight scenes if there is any, normal cars that you can see drive around while you are outside and a lot of talking. So they won't be using any CGI in the film they will be using the real world for locations and real items that you could find anywhere like a shop or park for example.

An example of a film that uses the realism narrative structure is The Social Network. The Social Network is a true film that is about Mark Zuckerberg creating FaceBook which is directed by David Finch. Since this is based on a true event it means that they will have to stick with what actually occurred because if they didn't it could misrepresent people in the wrong way. Even though there isn't super hero's working together in a flying city to fight an evil robot army the film has an interesting story with good characters. This just shows that you don't need explosions, monsters, magic or super powers to make a good film with an inserting story.

This trailer shows what the social network is and that is a realism narrative structure and that is no non-realism things in the film.

Non-Realism

Non-realism is when ideas that are used in film and TV shows are things that are not real or do not exist in the real life. Some examples of non-realism ideas are super hero's and super powers, magic, mythical beasts and creatures and cartoons. They do this by using computer generated images to create things like magic and superpowers or by using practical effects to make the non-real things look more realistic. This type of narrative structure lets you be more creative so the director will be able to use a narrative that is as crazy and wild as they imagination is. The audience will really like non-realism narratives because they will be able to see things that they can't see in the real world.

A good example of a non-realism narrative is super hero narratives. Super hero narratives are a good genre for non-realism because they are one of the most popular genres and they are  really creative with the story and the visuals of the things with super powers. A good example of a super hero film is The Avengers Age of Ultron which is directed by Joss Whedon and it was released in 2015. This is a good example because there is a lot of non-realism characters and powers such as Ultron, Hulk, Thor, Scarlet Witch and Iron Man. These all use computer generated images to make them and their powers look real onscreen. This film also features a lot of CGI for destruction like when Ultron raises up the city and the big fight scene when the Hulk fights Iron Man in the Hulk Buster suit.

This trailer shows some scenes where they use CGI for the non-realism scenes and parts of the non-realism narrative.

Linear

Linear is another type of narrative structure and it is one that tells the story in a cohesive manner. This means that the story in the linear film or TV show flows by developing scene by scene. So in the film or TV there will be no flashbacks or flash forwards that shows information about the characters past or future like in Arrow which at least 2 flashbacks an episode. This will also keep it more simple for some of the audience that won't fully understand what is happening with flashbacks and flash forwards. So all of the events in a linear narrative structure happen in the present and happen in order of the story. A linear narrative works by introducing the audience with the main characters and the setting. Then the story moves along with the film giving the audience more information about what is happening as the film keeps moving forward. Later on the incident happens which then results in the rising action until the films reaches a crisis and then it results in a climax. After that the action dies down and unties the film summing up the main narrative of the film.

An example of a linear film is Batman The Dark Night that is directed by Christopher Nolan. This is a good example of a linear film because the film starts with a bank heist which introduces the audience to the Joker. Then it introduces the audience to all of the other main characters such as Batman, Harvey Dent(Two Face), Alfred, Lucius Fox, Rachel and Jim Gordon. After they know who is in the film they will have a better understanding of the story. There is also no flashbacks or flash forwards in the film and it is all set in the present and it all happens in order of the story so no one in the audience will get confused.

This is a trailer of Batman The Dark Knight which shows some of story that happens in the film.

Non-Linear

Non-linear is the opposite of linear which means that a non-linear film works by having a disrupted narrative instead of a ordered narrative. This means that the story out in a non-chronological order. The most used type of moments in films when this is used are in memory's, flashbacks, dreams or flash forwards which can happen at any time during the story even when you are not expecting it.

A good example of a non-linear film is another Christopher Nolan film and it is Momento. Momento is an American psychological mystery thriller which is also a neo-noir that is about Leonard hunting down the person that killed his wife but he has a short term memory less problem which is hard for him to hunt someone but he finds a way to overcome this obstacle by taking pictures of people and places to remember who they are and where he needs to go. The structure of Memento is different from most films because there is two different sequences that are happening during the film. One is in black and white that is shown chronologically, and a series of color sequences shown in reverse order (simulating in the audience the mental state of the protagonist, who suffers from a anterograde amnesia). The two sequences "meet" at the end of the film, producing one complete and cohesive narrative.The film was subsequently ranked one of the best films of its decade by several critics and media outlets.

This is the trailer of Momento.

·         Technical requirements – how lighting, sound, editing and directorial style are applied to story-telling in order to build a story or a scene (this is about the director’s input in story-telling)

Technical Requirements



Lighting
How lighting is applied to story-telling in order to build a story or scene and the directors input on lighting in story-telling. Lighting is used a lot in every film for different effects each time. It is also used to create the feeling and mood for the setting of the film. Films use different mixes of low and high lighting to create a different meaning for the dialogue in films. For example you would use high light intensity for happy shots in films which will create a cheerful mood for the characters. If you want to set a dark mood in the film you would use little amount of light in them shots. In film there is a lot of different type of lighting that you can use in film and all fro different effects. The main lighting technique that most directors use is 3 point lighting. Three-point lighting is one of the most basic lighting techniques to set up. 

This image shows the setup for three-point lighting. It shows that to setup a three-point lighting you will need a key light, a fill light and a back light while the camera will be positioned at eye level with the actor that will be in the center of it all.

Sound
How sound is applied to story-telling in order to build a story or scene and the directors input on sound in story-telling. Directors use a lot and as little sound as they can in their films to ether add to the narrative or to create a lot of different effects depending on the sound that they use and how they use it. In film there is two different types sound that directors use in their films and they are Dietetic and Non-dietetic. Dietetic sound is when the source of the sound is visible on screen such as the voices of the characters on screen, sound that are made by any objects in the story and any that is being played when you can see instruments being used on screen. Non-dietetic sound is the opposite of dietetic sound so it is when the source of the sound is not visible on screen such as the narrator's commentary, sound effects that are added on and music that sets a mood.

Directorial Style

How the director's style is applied to story-telling in order to build a story or scene and the directors input on their style in story-telling. For this I am going to write about two different directors that have really different styles that they apply to their films. They are Edgar Wright and Steven Spielberg who have very different directing styles which you can tell when you are watching their films. Both of these directors create different mise-en-scene (what is in the frame and how its framed) when compared with each other but it is good that they do mise-en-scene differently to each other to make it unique for them and their own styles.

Edgar Wright

Edgar Wright is a British director that is best known for the comedic cornetto trilogy which is Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End that features Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as the main antagonists in the films. Edgar has also directed other films, music videos and shorts and good example of one of another great film that he directed is Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Edgar's films are mainly comedy and he makes these comedy's by using a full range of technical requirements. Some examples of these are that he has a quick pace editing style, cuts the the music that is playing in the background and using some ariel shots.

A good example of Edgar's directorial style can be found in the cornetto trilogy