Single Camera Setups and Cinematic Comedy
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Unlike the theatrical staging of a multi camera sitcom, a single camera production films one angle at a time, resetting between shots much like a feature film would. This approach allows for more elaborate visual composition, location variety and a distinctly cinematic look across an entire episode.
The style suits shows that want comedy or drama to feel grounded in a more realistic visual world, without a live audience or a bright, evenly lit soundstage signalling artificiality. Performances tend to be pitched slightly smaller, since the camera itself, rather than a live audience, is doing much of the framing.
Producing this way generally takes considerably longer than multi camera filming, since each shot requires its own separate setup and lighting adjustment. Many shows choose the style specifically because that extra time investment buys a visual richness that theatrical staging alone simply cannot ever match.