Shooting a love scene without DP.... wow...

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
Ok, despite the awkward wording.

I have a love scene to shoot this weekend. I'm acting in it, and I don't have a DP, because while there is no nudity in the scene shown it may require her to actually be close to if not nude. I normally DP, and none of the DP's we wanted to use (whom we are ok with being on set for this) are available.. so I'm thinking about trying to just do it with me, her, and a tripod. I've done it before, for other stuff but not something like this.. and before you guys get your minds in the gutter.. this is a scene in my film and its pretty PG-13 but because of the angles and because she's comfortable with me its just easier to not have to try to hide stuff, other than with angle. Is this doable and can I shoot something good without someone physically operating the camera?
 
I think it's going to be hard to get a good frame without at least an operator. I mean you could light it and do the setups but try to get an operator that you trust
 
I hate the look of shots like this on stix. Plus, it will be hard to NOT accidentally show something you don't want to, and with clothes all on, it takes people out of the movie. People don't usually do it with clothes on. I'd wait, unless you just want to practice. :)
 
You are setting up some very serious limitations with they way you want to shoot that scene. If this is the way you have to do it I suggest that you think very much outside of the box. Instead of an objective camera, on sticks, how about a subjective camera, shot hand held by you and the female. Go close up, detailing the physicality of the seduction and love making. Just some suggestions. You bit off a lot to chew... go creative.
 
I think I have it worked out.

I have a photographer coming, who has expressed interest in video work. She knows the fundamentals and has done some filming for events, and has done BTS video for me before. I'm going to set up the shots and do the lighting, and just teach her how to do the camera moves I want for the scene. It will take a bit longer (I don't mind :P) but I think it will work.
 
Unless the scene is meant to portray cold emotionless sex you need someone working the camera that knows what serves the story and can execute it.
 
Skip the audio and use a wa wa pedal...

Seriously, even if you tried to pull this off alone, you'd need a stand-in (for you) for lighting and framing. In fact, you will even with a shooter who's just a "camera op" since she's probably not capable of tweaking the light as you want.

We'll want a full report, as I predict your op will also become your stand-in. What if those girls discover something, um, "new" about themselves? You're gonna be re-writing like crazy!

Seriously (again) consider getting a monitor or even an HDMI TV so you can see what's being captured when you get into position.
 
Michael Carter said:
Skip the audio and use a wa wa pedal...

Seriously, even if you tried to pull this off alone, you'd need a stand-in (for you) for lighting and framing. In fact, you will even with a shooter who's just a "camera op" since she's probably not capable of tweaking the light as you want.

We'll want a full report, as I predict your op will also become your stand-in. What if those girls discover something, um, "new" about themselves? You're gonna be re-writing like crazy!

Seriously (again) consider getting a monitor or even an HDMI TV so you can see what's being captured when you get into position.
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Good point. I may bring in a stand in for me, and make him leave during shooting... /waiting room.
 
Grug said:
Sounds like a terrible idea to me. Just bring someone in.
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I second that. It will also look "flat" or "dull" to have static shots. Some handheld shots will sell the scene a lot better.

Azmyth said:
I have a photographer coming, who has expressed interest in video work. She knows the fundamentals and has done some filming for events, and has done BTS video for me before. I'm going to set up the shots and do the lighting, and just teach her how to do the camera moves I want for the scene. It will take a bit longer (I don't mind :P) but I think it will work.
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That's probably the best workaround for this situation Az. As she's a photographer, you won't have to teach her from scratch, so it'll be easier a bit. I'm sure it'll be ok. Keep us updated though!
 
Funny how everyone else seems to be concerned about getting framing and lighting right, as well as the absence of camera movies (all valid points) but the first thing that popped into my mind was how awkward this would be for the actress. You say you guys are comfortable, which is good, but if it's just her you and a camera, I think it would cause her to be way more self conscious than if a crew was there. At that point it's like you're not really acting, because there's not an audience. It would create a lot of weird tension in my opinion.
 
jghenderson said:
Funny how everyone else seems to be concerned about getting framing and lighting right, as well as the absence of camera movies (all valid points) but the first thing that popped into my mind was how awkward this would be for the actress. You say you guys are comfortable, which is good, but if it's just her you and a camera, I think it would cause her to be way more self conscious than if a crew was there. At that point it's like you're not really acting, because there's not an audience. It would create a lot of weird tension in my opinion.
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^^^^^^^^^

That was my first thought. Just you, her, and a camera on a tripod? If I were the actress, I'd get a terrible vibe.
 
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