Video School / Lessons
Drive-by Shooting: Using Your Car to Make Better Videos
Great filmmakers should never let a lack of funds get in the way of an epic project. If you're searching for a piece of equipment to give your film a polished edge, look no further than your garage. A car can supply that extra professional look without costing extra professional dollars.
Joining us today are Vimeo Video School guest professors, Neko Neko Films, a small indie film group hailing from Texas.
Using Your Car as a Dolly
From the Trunk
By filming out of the trunk, it's easy to achieve a smooth tracking shot without renting expensive equipment. All you have to do is pop open the trunk and set up your tripod! To keep your shot steady, try putting some heavy sandbags around the legs of the tripod.
From the Side Window
Just as you did when filming out of the trunk, use your tripod in the backseat to get a smooth side-dolly shot. If you don't have a tripod, we recommend using a bag of rice to rest your camera on the bottom of the car door's window frame. By doing this you can avoid some of the bumps that could come with resting the camera directly on the car door.
From the Front
Filming out of the front can be a little tricky. Basically, you want to tilt the tripod head sideways (to level the shot) and rest the legs of the tripod on the car door. Once it's safely mounted, frame your shot so that the front of the car isn't seen.
Out of Body Shot
It might be easier to recreate this effect if the vehicle you are working with is a truck. The basic idea is to shoot out of the back of the car with the actor in center frame. Make sure to keep the car out of the shot, if it's seen, it could ruin the effect!
Using Your Car for Practical Effects
Fake Driver
Have your actor sit in the backseat on the drivers side of your car. By giving your actor a circular prop to act as a steering wheel, you can frame your shot to make it look as if your actor is driving. Now, your actor can safely recite lines without having to watch the road!
Ditching Your Car
To achieve this effect without breaking some serious bones, you want to first film a car passing by, then, without moving the tripod, have your actor get in position on the far side of the street. As the car passes, have your actor roll and stand. Cut these two clips together at the right time, and it will look like your actor just ditched his car. Cut to a shot of a car door opening for a finishing touch!
Crashing Car into Person
Place your actor in a post-crash state and then slowly inch the car backwards. As the car reaches the actors mark, have them slide off the hood and stand up. As long as you reverse it, speed it up and add some crash sound effects, you should be able to achieve the effect!
Now that you know the tricks of the trade, go get those engines revving and put your car to use! And of course, don't forget to buckle up!
- Category:
- Do It Yourself
- Difficulty:
- Beginner
Lesson Summary
A lesson about the most amazing piece of film equipment that you may have never thought to use, despite interacting with it on a daily basis: a car.
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55 Comments
Daniel Hayek Staff
This is awesome and I wanted to comment on that.
Soxiam Staff
I too thought this was an awesome lesson and wanted to reply to your comment on that.
Daniel Hayek Staff
Now if only other people would join us here in commentland.
ChrissyOne
I wonder if I can comment on this comment.
Daniel Hayek Staff
Now you can!
Neko Neko Films Plus
We're doing it, you guys!
LetsMakeMedia Plus
Is it too late to comment on on these comments? These comments are some of the best comments I've ever commented on.
Daniel Hayek Staff
It's never too late to have a happy comment thread.
Belle Garcia
comment
Marios Lizides
How many happy comments can a happy comment have?
Umbrella Tree Films
Still awesome.
Seth Hodel
Yes, quality tutorial, quality comments.
Daniel Hayek Staff
I think there's a bug where non staff can't comment.
Zach Carter
Nope, it works fine. Good job Vimeo. Great lesson!
Daniel Hayek Staff
Yay!
Per Lichtman Plus
Glad that comments got enabled again - I've been waiting for days to lavish praise ;)
I enjoyed the tutorial a lot. I think that many people have tried at least one of these techniques, but I doubt many people have considered or applied all of them. On top of that, it is really great to see such clear examples and the video is very concise and clear.
I look forward to more such videos in the future!
As a secondary question, do you guys have any advice for people that live in more difficult filming environments (such as urban Los Angeles) in regards to applying these techniques without doing anything that might inadvertently distress or aggravate the local populace or law enforcement?
The last thing anyone wants is to do anything illegal, and it seems like these techniques are easier to do in a suburban or rural environment with low population density and fewer filming codes than in a stringently enforced urban one.
But I am certainly no expert. :)
Daniel Hayek Staff
Thanks for the kind words, when it comes to shooting in more crowded areas we can relate. We're based in NYC where space is always at a premium. If you can swing an empty parking lot try that maybe?
Samuel Hui
love these lessons!!!
Daniel Hayek Staff
Thanks!
Gili Hiram
NICE WORK GUYS!!!
John French Plus
I have watched a lot of instructional videos about filming but this is so clear and easy to follow. Not too much information, just the right amount to be inspirational and make you want to try it yourself. Living in the country in UK it has given me ideas: quad bikes for fields? Invalid trikes for town pavements and parks? Keep up the good work folks.
Daniel Hayek Staff
Yay! Glad you like it so much :)
Neko Neko Films Plus
Thanks John! We tried not to fill it with too much film jargon. Just enough to make you want to whip your camera out!
Mehdi Nowroozi Plus
Funny funny!
Simon Martin
Awesome guys i loved it, who would of thought learning could be fun! legends
Bass Hookups Plus
hahahahahahahahaha Best video everrr!!!!
Neko Neko Films Plus
Woah! Like ever ever??
The Blackmoth
i'll be using this in my next video
Kesha Pitt
i loved it!
Artwoo
Hey folks, we gave it a try:
vimeo.com/53006759
:-) cheers
Neko Neko Films Plus
This looks great!
Ramon Brockington
pretty cool
Bernardo Cunha
When I think there's no more cool shooting techniques to learn, you guys come with this really really nice lesson! I'll try it as soon as possible. I've started to make videos this year and believe me, I already learned a lot with these lessons. And still learning. I don't know what my life would be without Vimeo. Ok, dramatic. Cheers!!!
Derek Beck Staff
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. We're still learning as well!
Theji Limrattanasaran
thx u for this video
Steeve
Cool Stuff guys....You Rock.!!!!!!...Hourray!!
T.Richards
Oh wow such a great idea! I never would of thought of that :D Thanks guys!
Victor de la Rocha M
nice i'll do it, thanks
Baby Girl Films Plus
Great stuff, thanks for sharing!
nctprod
Buenos consejos! Gracias!
Pamela Tansley
I loved it!!!!!
Michael McCarrey
Something I've always wanted to try. thanks for the ideas and inspiration. Should be great fun!
Kenneth Lanner Plus
I like this!
madeliefdolores
Me too.
Brandon Sampson
These are amazing tricks Thanks!
ProductionsOnaDime Plus
Video was amusing AND educational. Now I need an excuse to try it.
Guillermo Lamphar
I should have seen this like 3 semesters ago. :B
KoolWorldMedia Productions Plus
Until now, I've only used my car as a tool to run over my ex's. Now I can channel that energy into something more positive!!!
canizara Plus
thanks you guys for these tricks :)
Albertus Santur
GOOD NIGHT
Levi Stutzman Plus
Does anyone know how the Intro with the Vimeo Video School banner animation was made. Was it made with Cinema4D or 3Ds Max, or was it made entirely in after effects?
Leonel Severino
Loved IT good Job!
Shiply PRO
Great tips and super hilarious too.
JonMcCaw
Great tips on doing action shots using a car. However, what if you have a car that won't budge if the doors are open - something the higher end cars are implementing now..
Chris Bretz Plus
Love it guys!