how can i shoot outside car window?

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
I want to do a shot of an actor looking out the passenger side car window, close up, shots of her face, eyes, and also of reflections off the window glass. How can I do this without having to buy a $500 varizoom auto mounting kit? I have a little burrito camcorder, and I have a little $40 suction cup mount for it to use on a car, which I have done, but that would not work for this shot because I need the camera further away from the window. Any ideas? I guess I could hold the camcorder out with my hand, but it would be shaky, and perhaps not far enough out, and it would be very difficult to keep the shot square/level. Am I out of luck, do I really need to buy the $500 auto rig? I would prefer to do this on the cheap if possible. The car will be passing over a bridge, a small stone bridge-- could I maybe have the car move along at say 5 miles per hour, have the camera off the car on a tripod and just pan the camera on the window/actor while the car passes by? (this is a small narrow country road, small stone bridge over a stream, so it would not be a problem for me to set up a tripod/camera on the bridge)
~randall
 
Are you needing the shot through the side window or the front windshield? If the from the side, why not go to a grip house and rent a hostess tray? Should be under $100 to rent. You can also rent a suction cup rig for probably about the same amount.

Matthew
 
I've yet to try it but I've been toying with the idea of renting an autotrailer and putting the car on that. I think you can rent one for about $100.

Also, what I did recently was put up silks behind the car to that the background is totally overexposed and white. Have a couple grips subtley rock the car, maybe some cutaways of the car moving (camera taped to the hood works well, get some non-dialogue reaction shots) and some good sound design and it will sell it enough. As long as the performances are engaging enough most people won't notice and those that do won't really care.
 
Glad I could make you laugh Randall. Actually, that idea about the car trailer might be a good bet, if you could borrow one. Just build yourself a solid rig to the side of it... but watch out for those pesky mailboxes on the roadside.
 
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