Single-camera setup

The single-camera setup, or single-camera mode of production, also known as Portable Single Camera, is a method of filmmaking and video production.

A single camera — either motion picture camera or professional video camera — is employed on the set, and each shot to make up a scene is taken independently. An alternative "single camera" method that actually uses two cameras is more widely used. The latter method is intended to save time by using two cameras to capture a medium shot of the scene while the other can capture a close-up during the same take.

Analysis

In a single-camera setup, each of the various shots and camera angles is taken using the same camera, which is moved and reset to get each shot or new angle. The lighting setup is typically reconfigured for each camera setup.

In contrast, a multiple-camera setup consists of multiple cameras arranged to capture all of the different camera angles of the scene simultaneously, and the set must be lit to accommodate all camera setups concurrently. Multi-camera production generally results in faster but less versatile photography.