Would this type of cinematography work with this lens?

[Ryan Elder]

Okay thanks. There is a murder and chase scene that happens in an underground parking lot. However, I have to keep it underground, away from the public, story wise, cause it makes no sense why someone would try to kill someone in full view of the public in the open street though.

So story wise, the suggestion to shoot in a building that anyone can see into, makes no sense though. So what then?

[Mark Suszko]

…Rewrite? ☺

I’d say go for what’s practical, forget the super long lens approach, which is going to provide more headaches than you realize now, and shoot with motion-compensating rigs. You should be able to rent something usable in any bigger city.

Also, think about what might be possible using digital set extensions in post, if you can shoot practicals in a smaller space but then extend it via planar tracking and compositing. This is a trick that goes at least as far back as the old Captain Video serials. Shoot a ton of HDR stills of the entire garage, leave subtle markers in key areas, before and after you shoot the action… You might be surprised what a clever compositing ace can do, if you block things out beforehand.

You might look at the FilmRiot videos online for some inspiration on how to pull off such shots on your budget.

[Ryan Elder]

Okay thanks, so you are saying to add different backgrounds in post and then add movement… or what are you saying exactly?

What is a motion compensating rig? The rental store here has dollies but that’s it so far.

[Ryan Elder]

Oh I see what you mean by digital set extensions, but the actor will not be able to move into the post extended space right? So what is the point, if the actor is to remain trapped in a corner of the picture and cannot move into the extension?