Question

[captinCJP]

Ok so my friend and I are shooting a Music video for a competition for our state.
The problem is my friend and I are the only 2 people directing/acting in the production. My question is that since there are some scenes where we are both in the picture what is the best way of positioning the camera.

 

[indietalk]

There's only one answer if you want it to look right. You need a crew. Get your friends together.

 

[captinCJP]

dang i was afraid of that, one problem my friends are too lazy to do anything productive.
O well thanks for the help.

 

[directorik]

Have you considered putting the camera on a tripod, turning it on,
both of you walking over in front of the camera, doing what you
need and then walking over and turning the camera off?

You can always edit the stuff you don't need.

 

[mr-modern-life]

Man I'd always say someone rather than noone. I made my first film this way and most of teh shots were junk beacuse you have no idea what's going on. Speak to you local paper/new source and get them to promote it for you. Pony up a few bucks and put a wanted in your local rag. SOMEONE will help!

 

[directorik]

Man I'd always say someone rather than noone. I made my first film this way and most of teh shots were junk beacuse you have no idea what's going on.

But I'll bet you learned a lot by doing that. I did exactly the same thing when
I was starting out. Most of the shots were junk so the next time I made
them better.

There's noting wrong, in my opinion, with shooting with whatever you have
available. Each day shooting is a learning experience. I hope captinCJP isn't
discouraged. Sometimes the restrictions you have can make a filmmaker
even more creative. Work with your limitations to learn how to make
a good music video with only two people. That's quite a challenge.

Are you up to a challenge, Captn?

 

[knightly]

I'll add that I don't think there's anything wrong with creating a horrible project as long as you learn from it. Be brutal with yourself at the end of the project and figure out what worked and why...and what didn't and why.

Always improve.

 

[clive]

82.6% of indie film making is turning lemons into lemonade.

If I had to film myself and couldn't get a crew, I'd mount the camera on a home made dolly, with two fixed handles made from broom poles, so I could drag it around... then I'd know the camera was always going to be four feet away from me and the camera would go where ever I was going. I could frame the shot so the handles were always out of shot.

Then I'd mount the camera on a G-clamp and fake myself some security camera footage.

Then I'd figure out half a dozen other things to do... shoot the whole lot and figure it out in post.

Actually... I'd probably attach the camera to a remote controlled mini-airship and film myself from that!

 

[cibao]

82.6% of indie film making is turning lemons into lemonade.

Actually... I'd probably attach the camera to a remote controlled mini-airship and film myself from that!

Awww Clive. Stop giving out bad information!! You know that he'd need at least two of those blimps!!

Seriously, tripods and second cameras are the best way to handle it. I'd rather use a tripod then get someone who has no knowledge or interest in using a camera. The worst that happens is you have to retake because you left the frame or some such boneheaded move. But if you use two cameras, you can have a camera for close ups and a camera set for a wide shot.

Chris