Unit 22 Single Camera Production Understanding the features

Unit 22: Single Camera Production Understanding the features of Single Camera Productions By Alex Mc. Closkey

The Blair Witch Project Formats: The Blair Witch Project was a horror film released in 1999 which brought the style of ‘found-footage’ horror films to a mainstream audience and in affect led to the style becoming a subgenre. The film focused on 3 film students creating a documentary on an urban legend located in a forest in Maryland, hence the use of a single camera to give it an authentic look and tone. Narrative Structures: The film follows a linear narrative which begins at the start of their ‘documentary’ and ends at the final recordings they made during their time in the forest. The film begins with interviews with people from the local town who explain to the viewers about the legend. As they delve into the woods (staying there a total of 8 nights), supernatural events occur, becoming more aggressive as days pass and the story and plot builds. Such a narrative structure is very simple but effective, especially in horror films which often rely on suspense to build for an impactful ending. The film concludes in an abandoned building where 1 of the 3 crew members is suspected to be lost inside, the other two members try and find their lost friend inside and Heather, who is currently filming the events appears to be attacked from behind, causing her to drop the camera. The fall appears to break the camera but the shot continues for a number of seconds before ending the film. The open-ended style of the film’s finale leaves for viewers interpreting it in numerous ways and also sticks to the films narrative, attempting to appear like authentic footage shot by students. Technical Elements: The film was created on a budget of roughly $60, 000 and grossed over $140 million in the first year of release. Due to the simplistic nature of the story and style they wanted, very little money had to be spent to create the film. They hired 3 main actors and a number of smaller roles were filled by townsfolk who were paid to act in the film as interviewees. Over the whole film only a few cameras were used and one was even reportedly returned to the store it was bought from and was refunded, lowering the costs of production even further. As much of the film is shot in the dark, the camera is often using a night-vision type of recording.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Formats: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American TV sitcom which follows the lives and exploits of a group of friends known as ‘The Gang’ who get involved in ridiculous and immoral events and schemes each episode. The show was created by one of the show’s stars, Robb Mc. Elhenney who developed and writes the series alongside co-stars Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day. The show has used the single camera format since its first season and has kept a very classic sit-com format until the present day. Narrative Structures: The series is linear and follows an episodic structure where a new situation attracts The Gangs attention each episode. Although following a chronological order and making references to previous episodes within the show, it does not focus on an overarching storyline or plot, merely daily events in The Gang’s lives. This is a common structure for sitcoms such as Seinfeld and Friends and enables the writers to focus on making many varied stories with the same characters. There a number of recurring plotlines i. e. a feud The Gang has with an strange incestuous family, the possibility that Frank is Charlie’s biological father and also Charlie’s obsession with ‘The Waitress’, a girl who works at a local café in Philadelphia who finds Charlie repulsive. Each episodic issue is usually resolved but on occasion the show will split a story into two or three parts, therefore over this amount of episodes to tell a slightly larger story. The former of the parts often then ends open-ended to encourage viewers to continue watching to finish the story and also is likely a creative opportunity for the writers to make stories on a larger scale when they desire.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Technical Elements: Due to It’s Always Sunny’s often socially relevant and black humour I feel its target audience is young adults and anyone with an enjoyment of dark comedy. The network the show belonged to for most of its seasons also has also acknowledged how the show is seen as controversial and unique, eventually establishing an advertising tagline for itself called ‘There is no box’. The show did not achieve a large following and fan base until many seasons into development and therefore kept to a very simple, low budget format for most of its seasons. 3 of the lead actors would write the show and a small crew would film and create them.

Grimes - Oblivion Format: The video features live footage from numerous sports events that the singer has attended and surreal footage from inside a male changing room and a party which has been deliberately choreographed for more interesting visuals and to fit the narrative of the song. The video is quite light hearted, featuring both improvised and rehearsed moments but it all suits the upbeat and relaxed tone of the song. Narrative Structure Like many music videos, the video follows the song’s narrative. Although being quite upbeat musically, the lyrics have a slightly sinister narrative, describing the singer’s fear of being in out in the city alone at night and being attacked. The video features the female singer surrounded by strong masculine figures (most notably the scenes in the changing room), representing those she is afraid of in the lyrics. In contrast to the lyrics, she seems to be enjoying these men’s company, dancing and laughing together. Although not certain, the video seems to be told in a non-linear way, with many cuts to and from moments throughout the day shooting. Numerous scenes are scattered throughout the video but cut among each other to keep the video exciting and interesting. It is also notable that the video finishes at what seems to be the climax of the party she attends, with her and the men around her looking very tired and the lighting dimming before the final cut. Technical Elements The film was shot by the director who used a single camera for an intimate approach to filming the singer during these numerous different moments through the night. Due to the simplistic approach and flexibility of filming, they were able to shoot in very cramped environments like the changing rooms and house party very easily. It also appears that non of the events in the video were scripted and that the director and singer possibly just asked if they could film in these areas, i. e. the stadium in which a football game is being played, the locker rooms and the house party.