How do they do.. Without a Trace

M

MachinePhilby

Member
For those that have seen episodes of Without A Trace, may have noticed that at some stage in the program they have a shot where the camera pans off to the right (for example), and a person appears in the room or whereever it is, then disappears again. The camera then may pan back to the first actor on screen. How do they do this?

I've noticed on some shots the picture isn't always steady, so how is this sequence done? If it's a green screen job, then how are the two cameras matched, if it's done with two seperate shoots, then again how are they matched seemlessly? Sometimes the person even picks things up or might move a pillow... or whatever the scene has in it.

This would be very useful for a shot I'd like to do, any ideas?

Phil
 
I don't know the particular show....but the technique you are describing sounds like a process called "Motion Control." ~reservoir~
 
Yep, Motion Control if the camera is moving... But...trying to remember a scene from W/OaT...if the cam is *not* moving, you can just film it twice...once with and once without the actor, then adjust the density of the actors clip.

You just have to be careful...EVERYthing must be the same in the two shots: lighting, cam position, stuff on the set.

Dan
 
I hasve wondered how they do it to. I think adjusting the density as suggsted would be a way to do it. Its a cool affect. I like how there is something moving like another person walking and then the subject just fades out while the person continues to walk through. Its amazing how we as video geeks will obsess over something that probably 99% of the people watching the show hardly notice and certainly dont appreciate. why oh why didnt i take up macrame
 
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