Hidding a face

[jchenier]

I need to record an interview but need to block the speaker's face. I'd like to light it with a shadoe on the subject's face, simliar to what you would see on Dateline or 20/20 or Primetime to keep the subject's indentity hidden. Worst case scenario is using a "cops" blurr bubble on the subject's face in post, but I'd rather use shadows.

I searched the threads looking for something on this, but didn't have any luck.

Anyone?

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com

 

[Erik Bien]

It should be as simple as posing the subject in front of a bright background (a well-lit wall or a sunny window) and exposing for the BG.

 

[Daniel J]

Personally if I wanted to protect someones identity I would use more then just shadows during the production. I would add a black oval on top of this in post to keep someone safe. I have done the mosaix blur effect, but not the one you are speaking of. I would try just lighting the background, and eliminate all light coming from the front.

This is a tutuorial on the blur effect which you could also use for your effect:

Go here: http://www.rippletraining.com/
Then click on: "Motion Tutorial - "Cops" Revisited"

 

[jax_rox]

I would use multiple things to hide someone's identity including masking their voice (slow it down and pitch it down/up). Depends on why you're masking their identity, but if it's something serious, I would do multiple things. People close to the person will generally be able to tell their voice. ANd if you only pitch it down, all it takes is someone with a computer program to pitch it up again so I would slow it down too.