Planning Camera Placement and Shots

When producing a TV Show the cameras need to be placed, so they are lined up with the Talent they are filming, also assuring that the appropriate shots can be produced.

The 'Media Circus' Camera Placements and Shots
On the Studio Floor we have 3 Pole Cameras and 1 Camera on a Jig Bar. Camera 1 will be focused on contestants A & B, where Camera 3 will be always on contestants C & D. These two cameras are both planned to produce shot sizes of MCUs, 2 Shots and Over the Shoulder shots of the contestants. Camera 2 is also known as the Host's camera, where the Camera Operator would produce MCUs or MSs of the Host. Although, as this camera is placed further to the back of the studio, it is possible for this camera to produce a 3 Shot of the Host with either Team A or B on the other side of the Host. A 5 Shot or WS can also be positioned too. Camera 4 (on the Jigbarn) is used for a high angle WS of the set, audience and Talent, which is placed to the far back of the studio. This camera can also be used to give movement around the studio. (PED, Pan, Tilt, Tracking)

This is a diagram of where the cameras will be placed on the Studio Floor.

'A Question Of Sport' Camera Placement and Shots
Not all TV Shows would have this camera placement. It all depends how the set and the Talent are positioned in the Studio, also the amount of cameras there is too. When watching a clip of 'A Question of Sport', the camera placement and the camera shots used, could look like this.


Camera 3 is the Host's camera, so this would produce shot sizes of either a MCU, MS, or LS of the Host. This camera can also set up a 5 Shot or WS too. Cameras 1 and 2 would focus just on Contestants A, B & C both producing the shot size, 3 Shot. Although they both concentrate on Contestants A, B & C, the cameras also concentrate on only 2 of the contestants, when showing a 2 Shot, CU or MCU. When Camera 1 sets up a 2 Shot, CU or MCU, he mainly sets these shots on just Contestants A & B, whereas Camera 2 would set up the 2 Shots, CU or MCUs on just Contestants B & C. Cameras 4 & 5's purpose are exactly the same, but focusing on the other team of Contestants (D, E &F). Camera 6 would be positioned further back in the Studio, on a Jigbarn (crane). This camera is used to produce camera movements (PED, Pan, Tilt) of around the studio, ending up on a high angle WS of the set, audience and Talent.