Talking Mirror reflection

[CookFX Productions]

I know this has to be simple I've seen it done in 100 different movies. But I thought I'd throw it out there first. Im thinking about doing this 5 minute short that revolves around a conversation a character has with himself in a mirror. Now what would be the most stylelish way to create the reflection talking back to my character. I know i could shoot the mirror scene first and then flip it and composite it right? Thats the first way? Any other suggestions? Old school? I'd like this to look sharp.

Mr. Sinister

 

[David W. Richardson]

I don't know of any other way to accomplish this other than compositing/greenscreening it. Unless you have two identical twin actors.

Good luck!

 

[gi-jones]

I did this once, without too much heavy compositing. You basically have to lock down your camera, unless you can get your hands on a motion control rig. The you simply shoot the scene twice, and make a split screen type of effect, masking out the mirror of one shot and overlaying it on top of the other. It gets hairy though, if the actor blocks the mirror party from view.

Another neat way, would be to do it real for real. Simply frame your shots, so you can't see the face of the "real" actor while the mirror is talking.

 

[clang]

it's certainly true that all the shots don't need to show both person and reflection - just a couple of establishing shots and the occasional shot when you need to show one person's simultaneous reaction to the other