Multi Camera Sit Coms

Multi camera sitcoms, like Seinfeld, Friends, Fraser, and Cheers, are filmed using three cameras and have a traditional sitcom format. One camera sitcoms, like Arrested Development, are more like films with real-world settings and on-location shooting. Lucy and Desi are credited for creating the multi camera sitcom format, but Mary Kay and Johnny were doing it before them. In Hollywood, these sitcoms are shot using large cameras on circular dollies, allowing for fluid camera movement. The result is that an entire 22-minute episode can be filmed in about an hour. The filming is done in order, similar to a play, and if there are any mistakes or retakes, they are done at the end of each scene. Live tapings of these sitcoms are engaging and personal, and provide a fun experience for the audience.