How to Film a Car Scene — Everything to Know About Car Cinematography

How to Shoot Car Scenes — Filming car sequences can be complicated and costly, and in this video we offer a guide to doing car scenes right.

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Special thanks to:

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Filming Car Scenes
00:59 - The Ins & Outs of Filming Car Scenes
02:19 - Chapter 1: Camera Placement
04:28 - Chapter 2: Lighting
07:00 - Chapter 3: Recording Sound
20:28 - Takeaways

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CAR VIDEOGRAPHY

Movies love cars. Think of all the great car scenes throughout cinema history, from The French Connection to Mad Max. But filming a car scene can be exceedingly difficult. Shooting in a moving vehicle immediately introduces dangers that aren’t present on most sets. The first lesson for anyone trying to film a car scene: prioritize safety. No car scene is worth endangering your cast and crew. With that in mind, there are a few different considerations for a vehicular sequence.

CAMERA PLACEMENT IN A CAR SCENE

One of the primary challenges for a car scene is the lack of space. There are limited areas for a camera to be placed. One way around this is the process trailer, a low level truck bed that can carry the picture car. Not only does this give the crew space around the car to place the camera, but it also means that the actor doesn’t actually have to drive. A cheaper version of this is the tow rig, where a car is essentially being towed. This removes much of the space available to the crew, but still ensures an actor doesn’t have to focus on driving.

If a car is actually being driven, a camera can be placed on a hostess tray. The lighting, camera, and audio will all be monitored in a lead car, which stays close to the picture car throughout filming and acts as a mobile video village.

HOW TO LIGHT A CAR

The other consideration for shooting car scenes, of course, is lighting. Here, space is also an issue. A crew may rig chasing lights to the side of the car to add the feel of pacing street lights, or they may hide lights within the car.

Lighting can be far more controlled when utilizing the Poor Man’s Process. This is where a car is placed in front of a green screen or virtual production LED to simulate movement. Here, the crew can move lights outside the car. This option is by far the safest and can also be the simplest.

Contrary to its name, however, it may not be the cheapest option, since moving lights or a virtual production screen can cost money.

HOW TO SHOOT A CAR SCENE WITH AUDIO

Sound is also a consideration. With the Poor Man’s Process, sound can be treated as it would be in any other scene. But when the car is actually moving, there’s a lot of background noise to contend with. Typically, a production sound mixer will hide lavs in a car’s visor, since this will naturally point them at the actor’s mouth. It should be noted, however, that getting pristine audio in a moving car is nearly impossible– you’ll have to do clean up in post.

Car scenes can be difficult, but when done well, they can be dynamic and visually exciting.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

"Drive My Car" - The Beatles
"What Is Love" - Haddaway
"Dont Lose Your Grip" - Diamonds And Ice
"A Battle in the East" - Rhythm Scott
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"Life's Journey Begins" - idokay
"British News Team" - Lance Conrad
"Assembly Line Dreams" - Ostin Drais
"War Dance (Instrumental)" - Rhythm Scott
"Full Access" - Jimmy Svensson
"Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" - Billy Ocean
"Full Throttle" - Lektrique, MIDNIGHT CVLT

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#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

[StudioBinder]

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Filming Car Scenes
00:59 - The Ins & Outs of Filming Car Scenes
02:19 - Chapter 1: Camera Placement
04:28 - Chapter 2: Lighting
07:00 - Chapter 3: Recording Sound

[jojonokimyonaboukenn]

MAD respect for all the film makers out there!

[mr.z]

Thanks for this. Just 1 hour back was thinking how car scene are shoot in movies. And now I'm getting this notification from YouTube. Your channel is a treasure for aspiring filmmakers. May god bless you all with happiness, peace, health and wealth. Thanks.

[marcelosantos]

I think the car rig for Children of Men really paid off, that scene is awesome

[jessebbedwell]

Wow. I'm not entirely sure why, but this video was particularly inspiring.

[rytfrommars]

Probably one of the hardest shots in production... But worth it including.

[rayancedrichaddad]

This is a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about How Filming Carscenes. Certainly one of the Best Video. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video.💯💯

[drewo.]

I’m just as much of a car enthusiast as I am an animation/filmmaking/mixed media enthusiast! (I grew up watching films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Herbie the Love Bug movies, the Cars franchise, and Transformers (movies and tv) and my favorite scenein Toy Story is the chase scene with RC Car, and when the toys are driving the Pizza Planet Truck in Toy Story 2! And of course…in terms of experimental and visually stunning movies…Speed Racer! Need I say more? But either way, thank you so much for posting this!)

[bradwong]

super, love the inside views and perspective - but please don't forget the greatest car chase ever: Bullitt!

[pauljakeman]

This was an awesome video! Didn’t realise how much work it took. Come a long way from sitting in a car with a driving scene played on a back screen 😂.
Loved this!

[arnav_]

Can you delve into the meticulous process of maintaining visual continuity across various scenes, especially when they are shot separately, and elaborate on the techniques used to make them seamlessly appear as if part of one continuous shot?

[arnav_]

Make one video on how they create huge sets!! Both interiors and outdoor ❤please

[arnav_]

Can you make a video on Balance between practical effects and CGI in modern filmmaking.

[michaelmambo]

Props to whoever picked to have Drive my car as the intro background music👌👌👌

[dannygandolfini]

one of the best videos from yall definitely wanna hear more about these obscure topics like this u dont see how to shoot a car scene on every other channel which is dope about studiobinder

[clausvergara]

Awesome!! But William Friedkin did a amazing with the car scene in The French Connection. But firstly, safety first.

[emmanuelmiranda]

The acapella remix at the end was 🔥 I could vibe to that 😂

[freddyjosereginomontalvo]

I really love the cars scenes, car chase and car marks that appears in the Michael Bay Transformers movies. The are really awesome. Bay isnt the best director but the man really knows how to film a really really good car scene.

[Lotsolovu]

Love this! Your uploads are always amazing. Can you do a video on how to film a kiss scene? The Spiderman and mask of zorro kisses come to mind

[eyecyclope]

I want a video on how great directors create immersion in their movies!