10 ways to use a car for more creative video shooting

Vimeo shows you how a vehicle can be used for a variety of shots, replacing dollies and the need for expensive equipment.

THIS TUTORIAL by Vimeo packs so much info into three minutes it’s worth breaking out the sections in a list:

• Tracking shot (shooting out of trunk, following subject)
• Chasing shot (camera mounted out window facing forward)
• Side dolly shot (camera mounted out window facing sideways)
• Slow push (shooting out of trunk, approaching subject)
• Circling shot (putting car in neutral and pushing around subject)
• “Helicopter” effect (driving shooting from overpass)
• “Out of body” effect (subject filmed on hood with car moving)
• Bird’s eye view (static, using roof of vehicle)
• Driving shot (use backseat, keeping hands out of frame)
• “Thrown out of car” effect (splicing two different scenes)

What tricks have you used for mounting cameras in-vehicle or using a car to film in creative ways? Interested in working one on one with Matador producers? Consider the travel filmmaking program at MatadorU.