There are two basic ways to produce your story on film or video.
- One-Camera Technique
- Multiple-Camera Technique
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Traditionally, movies are shot using one-camera technique. One camera is placed in multiple locations and the action is repeated. For a movie, several months are spent shooting and then the show is edited, which can take months as well. A smaller production could be done in a day. This is was what we did as TV news crews. It took all day of work to produce two minutes of air time using one-camera technique.
Using multiple cameras is the more standard technique for TV studios. Multiple cameras capture the action simultaneously, and the shows is edited live with a device called a video switcher. Most situation comedies are done this way. All talk shows like Oprah and Jay Leno are done that way.
One-camera is slower and more expensive, but allows for more creativity since no decision has to be instantaneous.
Using multiple cameras is easer, faster and cheaper.
Both can be done either in a studio or out in the field.
No matter which technique you decide to use, being in a studio makes it easier to control the sound, lights, and everything else that matters to your production. A big-budget movie director will meticulously control everything, the low-budget producer can’t be so picky but that’s ok, a lot of people don’t care. Some don’t even notice.
Field production offers a lot of versatility that tends to be stifled in the studio. One of the reasons why a modern TV show like CSI is a lot more fun for today’s viewers than old episodes of Dragnet is the fact that modern shows are shot in the field.
IS BLACK & WHITE BORING?
My high school students groaned in protest when I pulled out the classics and tended to blame their “boringness” on the fact that they were black and white. Not true, I’d tell them. It’s more about the pacing, camera angles, camera movement and sound effects.
Some of these same kids thought it was cool and artsy to turn their own color video into B&W in the editing room, (which takes two clicks) so go figure the logic!
COMBINE STUDIO AND FIELD PRODUCTION
A live news broadcast, network or local, is an example of both studio and field productions combined. News anchors inside a studio introduce viewers to segments that were shot out in the field.
With a live news broadcast, everything is planned out meticulously, down to the nanosecond, and the plan is executed by up to one-hundred people, maybe more.
The crew is connected through an off-camera sound system so they can speak to each other.
A director, several producers, camera operators, a teleprompter operator, sound engineer, tape deck operators, and a floor manager are all connected with audio headsets. It’s a highly coordinated effort that requires intense cooperation.
On the other hand, you can set-up and operate a studio virtually all by yourself if your show is simple enough. I’ve done it a zillion times.
Camera operators are expendable (sorry guys). Many large dollar operations use robots. You can use standard tripods locked down. The audio board can be preset. All you really need is someone to switch and someone else to be on camera.
FIELD PRODUCTION
The field segments of a news broadcast are shot on portable cameras by a crew of one to four people. On average, twenty to sixty minutes of tape are shot for every finished two minutes of story.
TIP: The more you shoot, the better your finished product will be. More choices in the editing room equals a better product. Of course time = money, which is why high quality costs more.
If you’re brand new to this art, do yourself and favor and over shoot. Newbies seem to have the universal habit of not shooting enough. Yes, I know it’s a lot of video to wade through, but I promise you’ll thank me in the end if your goal is a quality, professional video presentation.
PROS AND CONS OF EACH METHOD
Field production gives more opportunity for unusual camera angels, camera movement and visual variety. You’ll end up with a faster paced show. Meticulous (and slow) computer editing is a better way to create visual masterpieces if that’s your goal, compared to the live, on-the-fly (yet faster) video switching.
Generally, visual variety equals visual excitement and a more entertained viewer. The outside world is naturally more exciting than an indoor imitation and this usually shows.
On the other hand, studio shows are so quick, cheap and easy to produce. Once you have the studio set up, nothing’s easier than sitting a few people down and letting them talk spontaneously. Use that simple format with talented people and you have the Tonight Show!
Depending on your goal, a simple studio might be perfect. Not all videos need to be fast-paced visual masterpieces, in fact sometimes that’s counter productive.
If product demonstration is your objective, a studio is the way to go.
Even if you couldn’t swing an entire studio, you can get top-quality with one person wearing a lavaliere microphone in your nicely lit room. Look at QVC, they’re not much fancier, that’s for sure.
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