Mirror, mirror on the wall… Mirrors are an impressive tool in cinematography. Not only do they have the potential for creating fascinating shot compositions and ambiguous space, but they can add another layer to your story through the character’s reflection. Reflections themselves pose a big issue, though. Namely, how do you hide your camera and crew? Choosing the right angle is surely a way to do it, but what if you are after rather tricky shots with mirrors? Let’s take a look at some examples and ways to execute them! If you are into cinema history, then you definitely know that mirrors have been a useful tool on set for a while. For instance, filmmakers used them to bounce lights or to create optical illusions (before VFX came around), like adding a ghost by applying a partly reflective transparent mirror. However, that’s another topic. Below, we will talk about mirrors that become an actual piece on set and in the shot. And how on earth do filmmakers manage to pull them off? Shots with mirrors: Going through Let’s start with the most impressive kind. Imagine we are standing in front of the mirror slightly behind the character (say, over-shoulderish), and looking at their reflection. The camera slowly pushes in and then suddenly goes through the mirror and follows the action in the reflected realm. Do you know what show has made this type of shot into their signature move? I’m talking about “Euphoria,” of course. We wrote about its remarkable...
Published By: CineD - Friday, 8 November