How to Cheat Locations in a Film

You need to show a character walking towards a house and walking inside. The only problem is that you cannot use the interior of the same house of which you are using the exterior. This tutorial will explain how to take two separate locations and make them appear as the same one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• camera
• actors
• proper shot selection

1. Know which locations need to be cheated and which locations are going to be used to accomplish this cheat.

2. Locate any transitionary device that appears in both locations. In the example of the house, the door would be the transitionary device. The action of a door opening can properly meld both separate locations together.

3. Make sure the actor looks precisely the same, especially if you are shooting both locations on different days. Same hair, facial hair, wardrobe.

4. Film the character opening the door in the exterior shot, walking inside and closing the door.

5. In the interior house, film the character opening the door, walking inside, and closing the door.

6. When editing, match action edit both shots together so that it seamlessly looks like a character walks into a house. Only those who know the specific locations will know they were different.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to show much of the exterior through interior windows.