unit 22 single camera

LO1 Understand the features of single camera production

1: DEFINE and EXPLAIN the differences between series, serials and single dramas, with examples.
(Give up to 5 examples; how many episodes/ seasons/ audience figures?)

Series, serials and single dramas

Single and multi camera formats.

Series 

A series is made up of a number of episodes which are broadcast regularly, usually once in a week. A series may contain between 6 - 40 plus episodes, The characters from the series will remain the same and they will be used to tell a different storyline in each episode. A series may have a narrative. There will be mainly one narrative in an episode which will resolve itself by the end of the episode.

A few examples of series would be:

·       Waterloo road, this is a series that has been going on for a couple of years and each season consist of at least 11 to 12 episodes. Each episode of waterloo road will continue with the same storyline, until the end of the season. The characters remain the same or sometimes with new seasons they might add new characters to make it more interesting. The narrative for waterloo road is more show rather than tell, this way, it makes the audience think for themselves and make up their own conclusion.

Details

Official Sites: BBC

Country: UK

Language: English

Release Date: January 2006

Filming Locations: Hilltop Primary School, Kirkholt, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England, UK

·       Jersey shore

·       Celebrity juice

·       Doctor who

Serials also have the same characters, but usually only have 3 to 6 episodes and is only broadcasted once. The storyline usually continues throughout each episode. Due to the episodes being aired day after day, the narrative will continue throughout the episodes until the series is finished. the equilibrium will in the first episode and as the show progresses the equilibrium will be disrupted and  as the series finishes, the equilibrium will be restored.

A few examples of serials would be:

·       Top boy, this was a one off production which had only four episodes, this also continued with the same storyline from the previous episode. This production contained of four 1 hour episodes which showed the outlaw side of london and who ran the streets.

A thriving but underground drugs business is being run by Dushane ('Ashley Walters' ) and his friend Sully (Kane Robinson) to become the richest men on the block.

·       The ropes

·       The walking dead

·       Tale of two cities

Single dramas are programs that only show once because it is only designed as a one off story. The whole production would be filmed, edited and then perfected before it is aired on tv. The story is usually based on topical issues.

A few examples of single dramas would be:

·   

 Dirty wars, this is a fictional drama based on extensive research on UK’s emergency planners, emergency teams. This is a one off drama which contains a different topic in each episode.

Details

Official Sites: BBC

Country: UK | USA

Language: English

Release Date: 26 September 2004 (UK)  

Filming Locations: London, England, UK

·       Criminal justice

·       NCIS

·       The mighty boosh

2: DISCUSS the Single Camera and Multi Camera Formats
(Define the single camera format and the multiple-camera format. List the advantages of the single camera and the multiple-camera formats. Give some examples of the two formats in action. Explain when and why might they be used)

Task 2

Advantages and disadvantages of single and multi-camera formats

Definition of single camera

A single camera production is when only one camera is used throughout the whole duration of the footage in order to shoot a film or TV program. When a director is filming with one camera, the 180 degree rule is crucial, it is also used in conversation scenes, the shot used for this will be a reverse shot. This means that the footage will only show half the set and nothing behind the camera. 

Advantages

The advantages of using single camera formats are that the scenes that are recorded can be easily edited in a studio. Another advantage is that they are cheaper rather than using loads of cameras at the same time, this is ideal for producers who are working with a low budget. Another advantage for using single camera is that you won’t have to worry about seeing other cameras in the shot as opposed to using multi camera formats. Another advantage is the amount of time you will spend editing the footage, it will be done quickly with ease because all of the footage is one camera.

Disadvantages

There is one big disadvantage when using single camera, when shooting a scene the camera man must film the same scene multiple times in order to get the right shot, where as if it is done multi camera it only has to be shot once. Another disadvantage is that you will not get the right scene that you wanted at the right time, because there is only one camera to pick it up. With single camera footage you only get one shit at filming, so you’re stuck with the shots that you film.

Definition

Multi camera production is when there is more than one camera used at the same time, for example there will be several cameras set up around stage, this allows the director to get more shots at different angles.

Advantages

The advantages of using multi camera are that you will be able to cover more area as there are more cameras on the set. Another advantage is that there will be more cameras to get more shots. You will also be able to get more reactions and emotions through different angles. It is also much quicker to film as you can get different shots from different angles and you won’t have to re do shots.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages would include the time it takes to set up all the cameras as there is more than one so there is more work to do. The locations that the director uses will be sets and not anything real, which may show equipment or maybe even another camera. A big disadvantage is that it will cost way more due to the amount of cameras used on the set and also the camera men that are hired.

3: DEFINE the conventions of each genre e.g. period; drama; crime; soap opera; comedy, then clear give examples.

(Give up to 3 examples; do they challenge or conform to the conventions of the genre?)

Explain what genre each program falls into and why.

Dr who - Science Fiction

'Dr Who' is a science fiction program, like many others such as: 'Star Trek', 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Babylon 5'. The conventions of the science fiction genre are: locations set in a futuristic world set in the future or a parallel universe, the dialogue will include scientific terminology and will feature fictional characters such as aliens, daleks and robots. It is also an anti realist narrative, however, the plot will also include real life relationships because the viewers need be able to relate to some of the situations that happen; apart from the relationships, it is all based upon science fiction. Another reason why Dr Who would fall into the sci-fi genre is because of all the props that are used in the making of it. Props such as robots, spaceships, lasers and many other items from the future.

My name is Earl - Situation Comedy

'My name is Earl' is a sitcom like many others such as 'Two and a half men', 'Drake and Josh' and 'Everybody Hates Chris'. It falls in to this genre because it has a fictional story line and usually has a variety of actors. The props that are used in this programme happen to be modern day items such as urban clothing, lighting and housing etc. It is also a sitcom because it would mainly be filmed in an apartment or on a set in front of an audience that is familiar with many sitcoms.

Eastenders - Soap

Eastenders is a soap opera because it is a realist program and is based on true events. Real life scenarios are portrayed in soap operas such as eastenders. It is usually filmed on a set or in a house and sometimes even in public places, another reason why it would be classed as a soap is because it continues all year round, and has many different story lines and also various actors. Another reason why eastenders would be classed as a soap is because the props that are used are all modern, such as the clothing, houses, jewelry etc.

CSI - Crime Dramas

CSI is a crime drama because it consists of many types of criminal activity such robbery, murder, assault etc. It is a crime drama because it also shows the detectives point of view as they try to solve all of these crimes that go on. Another reason why it is a crime drama is because of the weapons it contains on the program such as knives and guns etc. many props are used in this crime drama such as weapons, uniforms also locations such as police stations, crime locations, abandoned buildings etc.

4: Compare and contrast the narrative styles and structure of Doctor Who and Eastenders.
(E.g. linear/ sequential; non-linear/ non-sequential; flashback; realist or anti-realist; restricted or unrestricted; open or closed endings)

Compare And Contrast Dr Who and Eastenders.

Eastenders is Soap; a soap is normally broadcasted four times a week, all year round.

It is a realist soap drama, which explores the issues of a working class community e.g. divorce, poverty, drugs and human relationships. The scene is built around an east end community; the locations include a market, a pub, a cafe, a chip shop and the characters homes. The narrative is always linear, sometimes restricted and sometimes unrestricted (depending on the character) the ending are both open and closed.

 This program is linear which means it has a start, middle and an end and also has no flashbacks. It also includes four on going narratives at once, this is another reason why it is known as soap. Eastenders has both subjective and objective narratives. It is subjective because the audience know what the situation is and what the characters are going through e.g. feelings and emotions. it is also objective because sometimes the audience don’t know what’s happening and therefore find out the same time the character does. Due to four story lines going on at the same time, the scenes will keep changing and will therefore focus on a different characters situation one scene at a time.

In contrast Dr Who is an anti realist program due to the fact that it is all based on fantasy. The props' theory is used in Dr Who, this is shown because the daleks are the villains, the dispatcher is the prime minister, the doctor is the hero, the helpers are Amy and Rory and the damsel in distress is Oswin. Programs that use the props' theory will have these five main people, the helper, dispatcher, hero, villain and damsel in distress. Dr Who is mainly anti-realist but also has realist aspects in it as well such as the human relationships. This program is non linear due to it having flashbacks which reminds the audience what happened previously and sometimes when the characters are thinking about something, the flashbacks will appear.

In conclusion the differences between Eastenders and Dr Who is that Eastenders is a realist program which is based around real life scenarios whereas Dr Who is anti realist because it is all fantasy apart from the scenes which contain human relationships which are realist. Dr Who has two on going story lines whereas Eastenders has four at the same time. Eastenders is linear because it has a structured sequence which flows however Dr Who is non linear because it contains flashbacks and does not flow in a sequence like eastenders. Both programs use objective and subjective narratives for example they'll both have scenes where the audience and characters know what’s going and what they're going through, but they will also have parts where such events will come as a surprise to both the audience and the characters.

LO2 Be able to plan a single camera production

Mind Map/ synopsis generating individual IDEA to pitch to group
(this must be your own original idea which you pitch to your group)

My individual idea was to have a short drama about a grown man who wasted his life, due to bad decisions. It will show how each wrong decision he made affected him in a different, such as not listening to people’s advice, and also isolating himself, which led to serious depression. But as there is nothing to look forward to in life for him, he shut everybody out and lived on the street where he discovered that this was the life for him.

Evidence of ONE of your group’s idea being developed – Mind Map
(it could be a combination of the best ideas)

Visual MOOD board for your single camera production

Genre conventions for your single camera production

Our single camera production will be a comedy drama, as it will feature teenage characters that fall into pressured situations mixed with some comedic moments. This production will be a single drama as there is only on episode and will last 8-9 minutes.     

Treatment – a pitch to a TV channel

(SELL YOUR IDEA _ quick synopsis of narrative and character appeal; target audience; time slot; channel)

This drama is set in the future where the worlds population has gone out of control due to great health care. So in retaliation to this the world leaders have banned fruits and vegetables and all healthy activities, so some individuals began to deal fruit and vegetables and hold underground bike races.

The beginning of the drama starts with a bike race with Hanzo taking part in the race whilst Ceasar makes a bet against The Colonel. Poorruranghi is just observing the race. Hanzo loses the race meaning Ceasar loses the bet and they owe The Colonel £50. The Colonel then takes pooruranghi as a deposit until Hanzo and Ceasar can come up with the money

Hanzo and Ceasar desperately look for a way to find the money they owe The Colonel, when Hanzo suggests they turn to Domino, the arch enemy of The Colonel. Domino suggests that they steal fruits and vegetables from The Colonels secret base, sell them and use the money to pay him back. So Domino, Hanzo and Ceasar devise a plan and steal the stash. Suddenly as they are escaping Domino turns on them, points his nerf gun and tells them to move on.

It is now deadline day and The Colonel is hosting another race. Hanzo and Ceasar decide that they will re-negotiate for a second race, Poorruranghi's life for their life time service. They call The Colonel and he agrees to this. Hanzo wins the race but The colonel refuses to hand Poorruranghi over. Then suddenly Domino appears and shoots The Colonel with his nerf gun because the vegetables were out of date. Domino lets the three go and they run off taking their bikes as they hear sirens heading towards them.

Synopsis
(Overview of story – generally what happens – how does the story unfold? Who are the heroes/ villains/ damsel/ hero’s helper/ dispatcher?)

In the year 2016 the worlds population has grown greatly due to great health care in retaliation to this the worlds government bodies have declared all fruits, vegetables and all healthy activities illegal. Criminals have resorted to underground bike races and dealing fruit and vegetables. This story revolves around three friends Hanzo, Ceasar and Poorruranghi who find themselves in deep trouble when Ceasar loses a bet against an underground gang leader called The Colonel. The Colonel takes Poorrurnaghi as hostage until Hanzo and Ceasar can come up with the money. The two must now find a way to get the money or loose a friend.

Script

Two characters Ceasar and Hanzo are walking down a street.

Hanzo (Daniel): Ahh I almost won the race, this close you know.

Ceasar tells tells Hanzo about the bet he made with The Colonel.

Ceasar (Kamiul): (Worried look) Errm, I’ve done something bad esse....promise you won't get angry.

Hanzo: (Confused look) Errm..... I promise.

Ceasar: (Sigh) Alright.... (Talk fast) I made a bet with the colonel that you'd win the race and now we owe him a shit-load of money and...... You lost the race soooo really it’s your fault so HA!!!

Hanzo now angry holds his friend to the wall and starts shouting at him.

Hanzo: What you bet on the race!!! Why did you say my name? You and your gambling problems, man my mother told not to hang out with you.

Ceasar: Forget that, The Colonels gonna kill us.

The two, penniless, look at each other and start to cry and hug, then Hanzo pushes back.

Hanzo: I got an idea! I know a guy who knows a guy, whose brother’s friends, fathers in laws, niece’s boyfriends, mothers, uncle’s son, who owes me a favour......

Ceasar: Who?

Hanzo: DOMINO (Shaukat).

Ceasar: Pointing behind Hanzo (GASP!).

A hooded man stands across the street leaning on a fence.

Domino (Shuakat): Did somebody say my name.

Ceasar and Hanzo are now sitting on a sofa in the famous lair of Domino (aka his mum’s house). Domino is eating a chocolate bar and throws the rapper onto the ground.

Hanzo: ........soooo...we need your help.

Domino: What’s in it for me Shuakat cocks his gun.

Ceasar: You get half the cut.

Domino: Alright here’s the plan Pull out a piece of paper sit down!

They all kneel on the carpet.

Hanzo: Did you draw this yourself?

Domino: Shut up… we go this way, around here to The Colonels base.

Ceasar: Why don’t we….

Domino: Shut up my plan. Hears me and my badass and hears you faggots.

Ceasar: Is that a plan or what?

All put their hands into the centre and lift them up.

Hanzo: Yay!

The three are in the Colonels base sneaking around. With guns and masks. (Pink Panther theme playing). They enter a room and stare at a stash (Fruits and vegetables- known as class A in this made up world.)

Domino: Pulls out a bag. Help me stash it.

They all start putting the fruits and vegetable into the bag. Then they head on their way out. When they reach outside Domino instructs Hanzo and Ceasar to stash the guns.

Domino: Stash the guns.

Domino opens a door and the other two walk through. They go down an alley.

Ceasar: It’s a dead end.

Hanzo and Ceasar turns around and Domino is pointing a pistol at them.

Domino: Hand over the stash now!

Hand the stash to Domino.

Domino: See you later faggots. Run down the other way of the alley.

Ceasar: At least I got his hat.

Hanzo calls the Colonel proposing a second race.

Back at Dominos hide out.

Domino: Those faggots didn’t even see it coming. Looks into the bag. EXPIRED!! I’m gonna kill them!

The next day.

The Colonel  standing next to his bike.

The Colonel (Muddassir): Where the hell have you guys been? It’s freezing out here!

Hanzo and Ceasar walking towards The Colonel pulling a bike.

Ceasar: Where’s !James?

The Colonel: I’ll be racing today.

Hanzo: Okay let’s do this.

Knight Rider theme starts playing. The Colonel and Hanzo starts racing down an alley. They look at each other and start shouting at each other all the way through the alley. Hanzo starts to lead. At the end Ceasar is dancing and chanting.

Ceasar: Yes, yes can you feel it!

Hanzo: YEAH…YEAH!

Hanzo crossing the finish line, gives Ceasar a high five. Then gets of his bike and the two hug and start jumping with joy.

Ceasar and Hanzo: point GIVE PURRURANGHI BACK!

The Colonel: Pulls out his phone and presses a button. Yeah !James bring him in.

!James (Gift): He’s here boss he’s here.

Hanzo: Purruranghi!

The Colonel walks to!James

The Colonel: Good job give him here and take the bike.

!James leaves with the bike. The Colonels drags Purruranghi. Then an extended hand and a gun shot.

Purruranghi (Anhar): AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Ceasar and Hanzo: NOOOOOO!!!

Purruranghi: AAAaaaaaah…uhhhhh. Dies.

More gun shots. See Domino holding the gun.

The Colonel: UH, UH…….UURGHH!! Falls down to the ground.

Ceasar and Hanzo shrug their shoulders (as they don’t care for The Colonel.) Domino points the gun at Hanzo and walks up to him. Hanzo gets angry hits the gun away from him.

The Colonel: I can’t believe I’m still alive UUAARRGHHH……die.

Ceasar: RUN!

The two run down a street.

Hanzo: What about purruranghi!

Ceasar: HE’S GONE!!!!!!

THE END

Props list

Bikes

Fake money

Vegetables 

Fruit 

Nerf gun

Mobile phone

Character profiles
(Personality traits, background profile and costumes worn by character)

The Colonel- An overweight man with a history of mental health problems. He holds a blatant disregard for rules and has a distinct lack of human compassion; the Colonel's psychopathic nature has allowed him to become a big underground boss who runs illegal bike races, as well as other illegal money making activities. He thinks everyone below him less than a dog and uses them as pawns in his schemes.

Ceasar- An arrogant, big mouthed, troublemaker that has a gambling problem. Grew up with a poor family in a council estate. At school he was a delinquent and got kicked out at the age of 15. Has always relied on his best friend Hanzo to get him out of trouble. From a young age he had been stealing and vandalizing government property which he considers an art and revolutionary. 

Hanzo- A young racer who's goal is to be the best. Type of guy that doesn't look for trouble but is mixed in with the wrong crowd. He grew up with his older sister and mother. When his mum was at work and his sister at college he would sneak out, meet with Caesar and the two would go watch illegal races, which fascinated him. After working at various small time jobs he had earned enough money to buy his own bike.

Domino- The archenemy of The Colonel. Usually wears a hoody, which adds to his mysterious character. With no father he had a rough upbringing that led him to the criminal society. Still lives with his mum. He was once best friends with The Colonel but they both turned on each other as they both got greedy.

Pooruranghi- A quiet character that is usually daydreaming. Originally from India, he arrived in England on a boat at the age of 12. Whilst his father was working at minimum wage at a crappy take away, he was wondering the streets. One day the neighborhood bully tried to mug him, but Hanzo and Caesar saved him. This little incident is how he became friends with the two.

!James- The Colonels best racer. He is loyal and does everything he is commanded to. Brought up with 5 brothers, who were all forced to fight each other by their drunken father. Left home when he was 13 years and was living in the streets. The Colonel found him in the alley of a cinema fighting with a stray dog over left over meat. The Colonel liked this vicious attitude and took him in.

Casting photographs and justifications
(auditions and choices)

Actor/ player casting agreement

All actors were part of the group and members of the classroom that agreed to help us.

Recce photos of your chosen locations
(put in WORD; annotate, justify location choices)

Permissions for use of locations/ music

The locations in which we filmed were my house so we didn’t need to get anybody else’s permission. And the other scenes were filmed on the street, so permission was not required.

Risk assessment

The weather is probably the biggest issue. The likelihood that rain or just simply it being a rather dark day is highly possible since recent weather has not been very good. Possible injuries could be caused by collision or slip and result in broken bones, bruises and cuts. Actors could fall off the bikes. Cars, people or other obstacles could cause this. The likelihood of this happening is high. We will make precautions such as checking if there is any rubbish or obstructions on the road/track/pavement that the production could trip over on.

Storyboard
(include clear directions for shot sizes and angles e.g. ES; low CU; canted MS; LS etc.)

Camera diagrams highlighting camera set ups
(where will the camera be set up on a particular scene)

LO3 Be able to apply single camera techniques in a production

Production roles
(who worked as director, actors, camera operator, editor etc.)

Shaukat Saleji- Actor (Domino), scriptwriter

Muddassir Allarakha- Actor (The Colonel), director, scriptwriter

Kamiul Islam- Actor (Ceasar), scriptwriter, co-director 

Daniel Azhar- Actor (Hanzo), cameraman, scriptwriter, co-director and editor :)

Anhar Uddin- Actor (poorruranghi)

Gift Musa- Actor (!James – The Colonels racer)

Budget

We will need fruit and vegetables. This could be bought in packs to minimize expenses, but we are looking at around £5. Bikes, we plan to use our own. As for locations it's either on the street, own homes or on school grounds. Clothing and props will all come from what we already own, but we are considering buying balaclavas. Actors will include either fellow students or us who are willing to participate.

Production meetings and production log
(individuals must show evidence of their contribution to the production)

Shooting schedule and shot lists (date of day and which shots are you shooting that date)

Mon 19th nov Mind map, presentation. (group)	tuesday	wedenesday	Thurs 22nd nov Treatment, synopsis. (individual)	friday	saturday	sunday
Mon 26th nov Script (group)			Thurs 29th nov Storyboard, casting (group)
Mon 3rd dec record Scene 1 (group)			Thurs 6th dec Edit scene 1 (muddassir)
Mon 10th dec Record scene 2 (group)			Thurs 13th Write character profiles and risk assessment (individual)
Mon 17th dec edit scene 2 (group)		Wed 19th dec Record scene 3 (group)	Thurs 20th dec Moodboard, editing (Individual, Kamiul and daniel
mon 7th jan Record rest of scene 3 (group)		Wed 9th jan Rest of course work (individual)	thurs 10th jan editing (muddassir, shaukat		Sat 12th jan record Scene 4 and 5 (group)
Mon 14th jan Edit all scenes (Kamiul, shuakat and Daniel)		Wed 16th jan Editing (group)

Shooting schedule and shot lists (date of day and which shots are you shooting that date)

Mon 3rd dec record Scene 1 4 mid shots 1 extreme close up 2 close ups 4 o.t.s 1 long shot (group)	Mon 10th dec Record scene 2 5 mid shots 2 establishing shots 1 point of view 1 long (group)	Wed 19th dec Record scene 3 3 mids 1 establishing (group)	mon 7th jan Record rest of scene 3 4 mids 2 long 1 close up (group)
Sat 12th jan record Scene 4 and 5 14 mid shots 8 long 5 close 1 pan (group)

Still photos of your group on the shoot

Edit decision list/ Technical
(make note of the areas that need continuity editing: match on action; shot/ reverse shot/ 180 degree filming; cross cuts or cut away etc.)

Non diegetic sounds list and state where on the timeline
(music, sound effects)

Annotated PRINT SCREEN of edit timeline
(each individual must show how they contributed to the edit decisions)

Still photos of your group on the shoot

EVALUATION


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGn08CHGFC4