Different Camera Angles and Movement

High Angle:
A high angle is where the camera is positioned high looking down at the character/characters, this is used to show the characters as being weak, puny, vulnerable, powerless etc. e.g. superhero films to show the hero being completely powerless.

Low Angle:
A low angle is the complete opposite to a high angle. Instead of being up high the camera is down low facing up at the character/characters, this is used to make the characters look strong, powerful, mighty, heroic etc. e.g. classic superhero films like Batman or Superman when they're come to save the day.

Dutch Angle:
A Dutch angle or also known as a canted angle is where the camera is set off its axis, tilted to the right or left, this is used to create tension or psychological uneasiness. This was used a lot by Alfred Hitchcock. e.g. Psycho.

Tilt:
A tilt is were the camera is tilted up and down, this is used to show a person, head to toe or a tall building etc. e.g. someone meeting someone new and checking them out so the audience sees it from their perspective.

Single Camera: Different Distribution Platforms

TV:
A lot of TV shows use Single Camera. It is cheaper and easier to use than Multi Camera because you only need the one camera and you only have to set up one camera. However it might take longer to release episodes because editing takes a really long time and retakes also take a really long time as you have to make sure the camera setting and lighting is all exactly the same.

Interactive:
YouTube is big for single camera but this is because it is always focused around a single YouTuber. Vlogs are the main ones as they are just the YouTubers filming themselves going on their daily lives. They don't have to worry about continuity as it is all real life and just them filming their day so everything is organic and normal.

Film Festivals:
Film is quite hard to do a single camera production however it is done. It is hard because you need to get about 2 hours worth of footage and edit it which filming and editing will take literally forever. Having to keep continuity will also be hard because they'll have to make sure that lighting and mise en scene is kept the same throughout but having to film for so long, things might change around which is bad especially if you're trying to maintain continuity.

Maintaining Continuity

Mise-en-scene:
Every time you record a new scene you have to make sure that everyone's costumes are the same and that all the props are in the same place, if it's not then the continuity is broken and the film instantly becomes un realistic and it brings the audience out of the film, they realise that it's just a film and they're no longer engrossed.

Lighting:
Lighting is very important in maintaining continuity however it is really hard with single camera because every time you want a new angle or go back to retake a scene you have to set it up again and it has to be exactly the same so it maintains continuity. Like mise en scene, if the lighting changes it'll take the audience out of the film.

Shot Composition and Framing

Extreme Close-Up:
An extreme close up is where the camera is close up to a certain detail, like an eye or lips or an object like a blade etc. This is used to show a significant object to the plot or a significant detail or a characters emotions. e.g. an extreme close up of a knife might be forshadowing a death of a character with that knife or a knife.

 
Over the Shoulder:
An over the shoulder shot is where the camera is looking over a characters shoulder at an object to show what the character is looking at or a person either reacting or speaking. e.g. an over the shoulder shot of a costumer at the counter of a shop looking at the cashier.

Shot-Reverse-Shot:
A shot reverse shot is a technique where the camera cuts between two people looking at each other. Usually used for conversations so you can see the characters speaking and reacting to each other. The audience knows that the characters are looking at each other because they're both looking at opposite sides. e.g. two people on a date at a restaurant.

Eye Line Match:
An eye line match is where the camera shows the character looking at something and then it cuts to what they're looking at. You see what the character is looking at. e.g. someone looking at a painting in an art gallery.

Benefits and Limitations of Single Camera

Benefits:
Single camera production makes it feel more realistic because there is less cutting to different angles in a scene. It makes the audience feel like they are actually there because the camera is around the characters and following them. It is cheaper than multi camera because you only need the one. More aesthetic than multicamera because you have more control of lighting, sound etc.

Limitations:
It is very time consuming as you have to set up the camera every time you want a new angle. Less realistic reactions because usually only one actor is filmed at a time. You'll have to repeat scenes to get different angles. Very long editing time because you have a lot to work with.

What is Single Camera?

Introduction:
In film there are two types of production, Multi-Camera production and Single Camera production. Single Camera production is where it is all filmed with just one camera. It is usually used in documentaries, dramas, comedies etc. Single Camera is not live, it also requires a lot of editing and takes. The lighting is reconfigured for each camera setup.

Examples of single camera productions.