Pioneered by
Desi Arnaz with three cameras, commonly now four, the
multicamera setup is used to shoot most studio-produced
television programs such as
situation comedies,
soap operas, news programs, game shows, and talk shows. Television dramas, however, are usually shot using a
one camera setup[?], as are
movies.
Generally, the two outer cameras shoot
close shots[?] or
crosses of the two most active characters on the set at any given time, while the central camera or cameras shoot a wider
master shot to capture the overall action and establish the geography of the room. In this way, multiple shots are obtained in a single
take[?] without having to start and stop the action. This is more efficient for programs that are to be shown after
editing, and vital for
live broadcasts[?], as well as providing continuity for the actors and
studio audience[?].
While shooting, the director and assistant director[?] create a line cut[?] by instructing the technical director[?] to switch the feed to various cameras. The line cut may later be refined in editing, as the picture from all cameras is recorded, both separately and as a combined reference display called the quad split[?]. The camera currently being recorded to the line cut is indicated by a tally light[?] on the camera as a reference both for the actors and the camera operators[?].
Most situation comedies are shot on film, while other programs are usually recorded on less expensive video.
