View Full Version : Car Scene


Max Todorov
May 13th, 2007, 10:37 PM
I need to shoot 2 people talking in the car while driving. (or appear to be driving).

Basically a male and a female having a conversation on the way to Mammoth.

Any idea on how to shoot this without studio?

My ideas:

Shoot driver from passneger seat, shoot passenger from driver seat.

But does any one have any suggestion to how to shoot them together.

Also any ideas on how to simulate the movememt? Shoot while driving?

Thanks in advance!

Brian Drysdale
May 14th, 2007, 04:21 AM
I need to shoot 2 people talking in the car while driving. (or appear to be driving).

Basically a male and a female having a conversation on the way to Mammoth.

Any idea on how to shoot this without studio?

My ideas:

Shoot driver from passneger seat, shoot passenger from driver seat.

But does any one have any suggestion to how to shoot them together.

Also any ideas on how to simulate the movement? Shoot while driving?

Thanks in advance!

Is this scene taking place during the day or at night? If it's a night scene it's much easier to fake.

You can't really film the passenger from the driver's seat in a moving vehicle. On a moving vehicle the simplest method is to use a bonnet/hood car mount. The beam type allow you to quickly set up various camera positions to cover the scene. There are also car door mounts which allow you film side shots.

There's thread below which covers many of the issues involved in shooting car scenes, together with a number of different shooting suggestions.

Cole McDonald
May 14th, 2007, 06:34 AM
You can do the standard indie car convo shot from the back seat too :) We did this in the short "The Stream, the Cave, Jim and Dave". We actually didn't shoot that in real time, but with multiple takes to get better angles on the actors.

Max Todorov
May 14th, 2007, 10:19 AM
Thanks for advice...

So if I am cool with doing a night shoot... how would you approach it....

There is no requrement on time of day.

Moving car is not a requiremetn...... I just need it to look like its moving......\

should I do it in a dark garage and move the lights????

If thats the case, any recomndation on lighting up the subjects?

Huge thanks!

Brian Drysdale
May 14th, 2007, 10:41 AM
Thanks for advice...

So if I am cool with doing a night shoot... how would you approach it....

There is no requrement on time of day.

Moving car is not a requiremetn...... I just need it to look like its moving......\

should I do it in a dark garage and move the lights????

If thats the case, any recomndation on lighting up the subjects?

Huge thanks!

You can shoot in a dark area outside at night, just be careful what you might see the background. You might be a bit limited space wise in a garage.

Here are some suggestions for lighting car interiors:

http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20GB/auto%20interior.htm


Basically, what seems real and don't over light it.

Cole McDonald
May 14th, 2007, 04:30 PM
I have a "snake light" and they make little battery operated flourescents as well that you can plant up front below the dash so the light isn't visible. It'll all be bottom lit, but pretend it's from the dash :)

Max Todorov
May 21st, 2007, 04:18 PM
thanks everyone....

I will shoot this coming Friday... will post the link once done.....