How To Shoot Monitor Composites

We have decades of combined experiences on set. This high-level guide outlines the basics. If you need help, drop us a line - it's definitely better to not shoot this stuff wrong!!

- Go easy on the tracking marks. Smaller the better, and often times there is enough detail to track without. Markers will always make for a more difficult comp.

- For phones, we use VFX Screens Pro (we don't get kickbacks mind you) to display green/ blue/ black screen and digital tracking marks. Other, free apps are also available

- If no talent expects to be interacting with the device, sometimes leaving without green screen is better. Considerations should be made as to whether light from the screen is important.

- The above is doubly true if nothing occludes the camera's view of the screen

- Use green screen if someone is touching the screen or spending a lot of time occluding it

- Tracking marks really are necessary only if the camera or monitor is physicaly moving or you framing eliminates the edge of device consisently

- Less tracking marks means your compositors are able to use the reflections without repairing

- Some like to eliminate using green or blue altogether, and simply have the phone screen on. Perhaps for wides you can even get away without VFX

- For best looking comps, screen should be shot with the goal to preserve reflections from in camera without obstructing them as much as possible

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