If we as viewers had absolutely no knowledge on how television shows are produce it would appear that we are view are show through only one camera lens. As a child I remember watching the TV and thinking it was magical and I assumed the people acting were real characters. I had no knowledge about props, sets, green screens or camera angles.
Today the norm on a TV is to have at least four cameras if not more. Typically there is camera A,B,C and X or D. It would be impossible to obtain the quality of the TV show without different camera angles and a planned out plot. Cameras are set in a certain line up so that film directors can que which camera angle they want to focusing on the actor. Without the merge of different shots edited together we would miss out on something happening behind or across from a camera that was not able to capture the action.
MAKE IT OR BREAK IT
"Make or Break It" is a show that has caught the attention of many viewers since it aired in 2009. The show comes on ABC Family every season. This show is a great example of the art in producing quality camera shots. The stars of this show are four teenage girls who are Olympic gymnast each competing to win the time in the spotlight.
The setting of "Make it or Break it" is usually in a large gymnastics facility. The show focuses on the training the girls have to go through in order to be the best. These show would not be what it is today without the idea of multiple cameras.
It is hard enough to capture a TV were the charaters are moving around in one room, on this show the characters are constantly running, tumbling and twirling all around the room.
The fast pace of this show requires cameras that are set up high above the arena as well as down below on the floor to capture the height of the person in the air. The camera also has to be set up on a moving line so that it can
capture the accurate speed of the gymnast. While watching the show you feel as though your right there in the room with the girls. The camera work is done so well that it seems that you are tumbling in the air with them. You can see every sweat drop, facial expression and feel the anxiety of what the athlete is faced with.
The Producer also uses an effect to slow down the movement so that we can see the slightest flinch. From the point of the foot the the shaking of the actress hands. These gives "Make it or Break it" the appearance of looking like a live gymnastics competition.
With the constant advancement of Media Production we get to enjoy, imagine and be swept away by the magical effects.
I had no idea filming a television show was so complicated!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of what someone explained to me one time about taking pictures of moving objects, such as athletes when they move. By keeping pace with the camera the athlete (or actor in this case) stays in focus while blurring the background, helping the observer focus on the action. It's cool how something as seemingly simple as filming moving things can actually be so complex. Good blog
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