I need help with a driving scene.

[AAVP]

Hello everyone. I'm currently working on a project where two characters have a semi-long conversation in a car. The trouble I am having is filming the scene.

I could film a few different takes but the price of gas ($3+ a gal.) would kill my budget. How can I film a driving scene without making it look corny or obviously green screened?

If it helps any, the scene will be at dusk or possibly at night. I was thinking of using Indy Mogul's rain device and film it at night, but would that block the view of the windows? (If they are suppose to be driving, I don't want the background/scenery to be still.)

Also, they end up at a bar and I would have to fake the rain there, which would be close to impossible. HELP!

Any help, tricks, or tips would be appreciated. Thanks - Tyler R. of Ash's Artwork: Video Productions

[NaziActionFigure]

Why not green screen it?

[WesScog]

Why don't you just add in a line that leads to them stopping the car?

They start talking, Character not driving mentions something, Character driving goes wait a minute, what? And pulls over to the side of the road.

If it's not a heated conversation, it might not work, but just an idea, what you can't accomplish realistically with Special Effects, write it differently in your script.

[AAVP]

Why not green screen it?
That's just it... How? Would I cover each individual window or just have a huge sheet outside the car? Plus, how would I do the lighting inside the car to green screen it?

I was going to experiment but it's almost December and I'm from Michigan. It's cold outside.

[AAVP]

Why don't you just add in a line that leads to them stopping the car?

They start talking, Character not driving mentions something, Character driving goes wait a minute, what? And pulls over to the side of the road.

If it's not a heated conversation, it might not work, but just an idea, what you can't accomplish realistically with Special Effects, write it differently in your script.
Sadly, we wrote the script where the two guys are joking about using roofies; from episode one. The car scene, which is in episode two, one of the guys brings that topic up as they pull in the parking lot and it cuts to outside of the car as character two steps out shouting "I'm not using roofies!" Then, some old guy passes him and calls him a sick bastard. It makes more sense on paper...

[edwardlavender]

If I have to say Poor Man's Process again...I'm gonna shoot somebody.

Poor Man's Process (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dvguru.com%2F2006%2F11%2F01%2 Fpoor-mans-process-shooting-a-car-scene-on-the-cheap%2F&ei=qhFNR4K1DI24eves9ZAN&usg=AFQjCNFlfY-QpRuxk860XDU8tNBkazc_ig&sig2=hGzxmAierw_NAMHejXeaKQ)

Now...mind you, you don't have to have millions of people like that diagram does...It's just a guide. You can do it with 3 people doing different things.

The benefit of this is...well, for one, it's a super saver on Gas because you don't have to move the car.

Post Production is easier because you don't have to worry about doing any type of green screen stuff.

And it's really fun to shoot a car scene like that.

-zac

[davbo123]

To green screen it, you would have a large screen outside of the car so that it is visible through the windows.
Go driving, filming out the window.
Get your actors to act the screen, and know the cues for when to turn the steering wheel so that it looks realistic

[AAVP]

If I have to say Poor Man's Process again...I'm gonna shoot somebody.

Poor Man's Process (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dvguru.com%2F2006%2F11%2F01%2 Fpoor-mans-process-shooting-a-car-scene-on-the-cheap%2F&ei=qhFNR4K1DI24eves9ZAN&usg=AFQjCNFlfY-QpRuxk860XDU8tNBkazc_ig&sig2=hGzxmAierw_NAMHejXeaKQ)

Now...mind you, you don't have to have millions of people like that diagram does...It's just a guide. You can do it with 3 people doing different things.

The benefit of this is...well, for one, it's a super saver on Gas because you don't have to move the car.

Post Production is easier because you don't have to worry about doing any type of green screen stuff.

And it's really fun to shoot a car scene like that.

-zac
That might work... I'll look into that, thanks!

[AAVP]

To green screen it, you would have a large screen outside of the car so that it is visible through the windows.
Go driving, filming out the window.
Get your actors to act the screen, and know the cues for when to turn the steering wheel so that it looks realistic
That is what I was thinking. Trial and error I suppose.

[eckert]

one thing you can also try is to get the camera far away and zoom in on the car fully. make sure all background objects are quite a distance away as well. with this you should have a strong depth of field, and as long as you can only see the front windshield, you can have some people out of frame shaking the car slightly. add some post sound effects and it should be decent.

[doid]

its a bummer michagan lost to ohio state!

[b-smitty323]

I think I have a good idea if you can pull it off.

You should film at night for this.
Park your car that you're "driving": you won't be moving THIS car. Have one of your pals bring his car along, too. I'd film in a parking lot or somewhere without a lot of surrounding lights so they won't get caught in the footage you will be taking. Set up the rain machine (if you use it) in front of and above your car your actors will be in. Maybe have it where the drops are a little smaller and hence a little lighter. Get one of those big square fans like this http://www.krislincompany.com/sitting_ducks/images/Props/F-H/PR_Fan_box.jpg . I'm sure you can borrow one of these if you don't have one. Set it up so it is facing the windshield of the car. This will solve your rain problem...hopefully. You might need two fans. If you set it up right, it could look like the rain is moving into your windshield...like your driving.

Okay, next light the inside and outside of your car how you want to so you pick it up in the dark. Don't make it too light, as to make it look fake.

Back to why you brought along your pal with his car.
While you're filming your conversation, have your friend drive past the parked car, while staying in frame. This will make it look like your actors in the car are driving. And the lights from the incoming car will add a cool lighting effect. Add some camera shake( a little) to give it a little more authenticity. In post give it some nice sound effects (passing car on wet pavement, sound of running car, rain, etc.) and you're done.

Hopefully it'll be dark enough to not give away that your car isn't moving. You'll save A LOT of money on gas and it is more convenient for your actors because they won't have to be concentrating on driving. And no need for a green screen.

If you have any questions, or if you think this idea is stupid, tell me.
Hope this helps!

[grosenblum]

Just showing you that green screening is possible.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=E9CBxAs4Osc

[edwardlavender]

I think I have a good idea if you can pull it off.

You should film at night for this.
Park your car that you're "driving": you won't be moving THIS car. Have one of your pals bring his car along, too. I'd film in a parking lot or somewhere without a lot of surrounding lights so they won't get caught in the footage you will be taking. Set up the rain machine (if you use it) in front of and above your car your actors will be in. Maybe have it where the drops are a little smaller and hence a little lighter. Get one of those big square fans like this http://www.krislincompany.com/sitting_ducks/images/Props/F-H/PR_Fan_box.jpg . I'm sure you can borrow one of these if you don't have one. Set it up so it is facing the windshield of the car. This will solve your rain problem...hopefully. You might need two fans. If you set it up right, it could look like the rain is moving into your windshield...like your driving.

Okay, next light the inside and outside of your car how you want to so you pick it up in the dark. Don't make it too light, as to make it look fake.

Back to why you brought along your pal with his car.
While you're filming your conversation, have your friend drive past the parked car, while staying in frame. This will make it look like your actors in the car are driving. And the lights from the incoming car will add a cool lighting effect. Add some camera shake( a little) to give it a little more authenticity. In post give it some nice sound effects (passing car on wet pavement, sound of running car, rain, etc.) and you're done.

Hopefully it'll be dark enough to not give away that your car isn't moving. You'll save A LOT of money on gas and it is more convenient for your actors because they won't have to be concentrating on driving. And no need for a green screen.

If you have any questions, or if you think this idea is stupid, tell me.
Hope this helps!

That idea has pretty much already been covered, sir.

-zac

[b-smitty323]

That idea has pretty much already been covered, sir.

-zac

Where? Did I miss it? Because I don't see it.