Setting fire to a tree... (read more)

[ZaderFilms]

Hello, I'm new to the forums and would just like some help on figuring some small issues out.

I am doing my first feature film this summer, and I have this scene where a character is tied to a tree with kindling/wood circling the tree. Another character is standing next to the tree and drops his torch, setting the wood up in flames.

Basically, I want to be able to have the wood on fire, without burning the character (Who is obviously screaming in pain at this point) (Don't want to hurt my actors)

Notes: My film is documentary style, like Cloverfield and Blair Witch Project. The cameraman is coming through the woods, and stops short when he sees the character tied to the tree. The way I visualized it is, when the man drops the torch, the brightness of the flames throws the camerman back, setting the camera away from what is going on, then back to it. Not sure if I can play around with camera-tricks..?

Thoughts? Help?

-ZaderFilms

[unadog]

The first thing that comes to mind is using a longer lens to compress the apparent distance.

So the flames could be a good 1 foot to 2 feet in front of the actor. Especially if they were on a slight rise, so that the camera was coming from a lower angle and shooting up a bit through the flames.

That may or may not play with the look you have in mind. Obviously more creative, dramatic, and high tech options to use, but the compreseed distance will likely be one tool.

Good luck!
Michael

[Crafters of Light]

You could look into something like this old camera trick.