Shooting a conversation in a car

Alan Certeza

Alan Certeza

Active member
Okay So I have this scene where there's four people in a 2 door car having a conversation and I remember glancing through a book at showed how to shoot a car on a trailer/ vehicle transporter.

Now, my question is that, all my shots are going to CU and MCU and I got this industrial 21ft trailer to haul the car around going at 10mph as I float around the car. Would I have to worry about the background seemingly too short in perspective to the talent's head. Or would it be moving relatively to fast for the dvx100b 24p to even recognize it. I'm trying to create this scene and make you feel the tention in the car almost as if you're there with them without have any cuts. Almost a documentary feel to it.



Also if someone can refer me to that book that has the "HOW TO" shoot in a car. I think it was either "shot by shot" or "Frame you shots (?name?)"

If that wouldn't work I just might have to do cuts and film from the backseat and the passenger seat.


Appreciate the help guys.

Thanks

-Alan Certeza
 
Film Directing: Cinematic Motion is another book in the same series that contains some pointers on car-interior shots. That may be the book you have in mind.
 
To me it sounds like walking around a car with a steadicam on while the car is on a trailer moving, sounds awfully dangerous even at 10 miles an hour, but I digress. Your curious if the background would look to small? I guess it depends how tall your trailer is. They do make really low trailers that I would suspect wouldn't look to bad for that but I say that if your any high then three feet I think it would look off. I would say take a look at Children of Men with Clive Owen, there is a great scene in which they used a one shot in a car that really gives a tension feel to the scene. And for that shot the camera was in the car. I hope this helps a little.
 
I saw a picture in ICG of a super simple rig. A 2x4 diagonally across the back of a pickup tethered the the rear view mirror. You could do the same thing out the rear window, feed the monitor and have the camera op in the back seat with a remote control. If you wanted more of a handheld feel don't tie the 2x4 down super tight and have the opp or a grip hold it (still tie it down though in case of an accident do the camera won't fall.
 
I know putting me up there as the trailer travels is dangerous but I wanted to have the camera in the car as the four talents go off on their conversation. I was thinking I was going to have me tied to the car where I won't be able to lean over the trailer.

Would taking that risk and paying for the trailer worth it or should I just go with cuts?

Thanks Sad Max for the lead, I'll probably go to a book store and do some reading and refresh my memory.

The trailer is off the ground by 3 or more feet so, would the shot make scene if I was shooting with the forest in the background?
 
Shooting from inside the car will have restrictions. The actors will be distorted, and the backgrounds will also be very wide so there will be a lot of distraction in the frame. If you're going for the "in car spycam" then it's fine, but if you want more dramatic, close ups of the actors, emotions in focus, you'll need to bring the camera back, to be able to use longer focal lengths. And ideally remove the car windows so reflections/distractions don't come into play, unless it is scripted. Sometimes used quite well.

Always wanted to see a steadicam doing laps around a moving car lol
 
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"Always wanted to see a steadicam doing laps around a moving car lol"

Check out War of the Worlds by Steven Spielberg. He has a very similar shot in the movie.
 
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