How to use a MODEL CAR to make your film (forced perspective trick!)

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Steve Ramsden here with DIY Moviemaking and this week I’m going to show you how you can use a model car to make your low budget film look much more expensive! So let’s say you want to get some shots with an expensive car in your film - you can’t afford the real thing, but maybe you can afford a scale model. If so, you can use forced perspective to make it appear full size. To demonstrate this I’m going to be using this model of a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, which is the famous car used by James Bond, first seen in with Sean Connery in “Goldfinger”.
Now this is a totally ‘in camera’ method of filmmaking which requires no tricky editing or compositing at all, but if you fancy a more advanced method which does require some editing, you can check out my other video on that as well.
So for this basic in-camera version, all you need is your model and a camera. When choosing a model car to use, the bigger the better, and a popular size is 1:18, as this gives a lot more detail than smaller models.
Once you have your model, you need to pick a location with enough space so you can line up a real background behind it, and put your model on something low near the camera.
This is one of the oldest Hollywood tricks in the book and is known as ‘forced perspective’ where you simply put something close to the camera to make it appear larger.
When lining up your model with your real background, the easiest method is to not show the ground at all, and basically just put the car’s tires along the very bottom of the frame. But this can also be a big giveaway that you are looking at a model. So if you want to be a little more advanced, then you could also build a fake section of road, such as what I did here just using a wooden board and some scenic scatter from a model shop to look like tarmac or gravel. This way you can raise the camera up a little bit higher and this can help fool the brain that the car isn’t a model - because otherwise the road would have to be a model too, and guess what - it is!
You also want to look for the edge of the real road and try and line this up with your fake road. If can be tricky to get the angles right here, but it will really help disguise the join.
You will also want to film in ‘deep focus’ meaning you’re trying to get the foreground and the background both in focus at the same time. If you’re using a phone and you’re in bright sunlight it might do this automatically, but I would suggest doing it manually so that nothing changes, and if so this means you’ll need to change your aperture to the highest f-number you can see displayed. And if you want to see lots more tips on filming miniatures to make them look full scale, then I have a dedicated video on just that.
Now assuming you want to appear in the shot next to your car like I did, you also need to try and line yourself up at the right size. This is much easier with two people - one to film and one to appear in the frame - but If you are filming this alone like I did, then you’ll probably need a way of monitoring your shot yourself. I did this using an app on my phone called Canon Camera Connect, that lets me use my phone as a monitor to see my camera’s view, as long as I don’t walk too far away. This way I could see if I was in the right place, and then I could put my phone away while I filmed the shot.
I also tried an option where I made it look like I was leaning against the car. Now obviously you can’t interact with it much or move in front of it, but can look like you are standing behind it or even looking in the windows. Again, after some trial and error if you get the angles right, this will all help.
One of the best things about a fully practical in-camera effect like this is that your model and your scene behind will perfectly match. As long as your model isn’t sitting under any shade, no matter what the weather is doing on the day, your light on the foreground will be the same as the background. So will the direction of your shadows - this car is still being lit by the sun and from the same angle as what’s behind it. And if the car is shiny, it will even have all the correct reflections of its actual surroundings. It’s little details like these that make our minds just accept that this car really is in this location - because of course it is, it’s just smaller than it looks! So always remember that in-camera practical effects can add a lot of their own free realism without you even realising it!
#diymoviemaking #filmmaking #behindthescenes

[@TommyMartin]

Your channel is quickly becoming my favorite! Thanks for the great video.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks, very kind 😀

[@DevotedSentry]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin don't know if you know this already, but someone is pretending to be you. I thought I should let you know just in case.

[@benedictomambia1305]

Assist me you 📱 number.

[@J7ozzy]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin can you use something free like dafenci resolve

[@kencur9690]

Man, you’re such a boring, non-trendy, straight-to-the-point, no nonsense, no time-wasting, no jargon, non-joking old fashioned presenter... thank you!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Huge compliment haha

[@kencur9690]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin hehe

[@medalgear654]

This is the kind of movie magic that is missing today

[@timbeaton5045]

Well, mayb not, as this technique was used multiple times in The Lord of The Rings, of course!

[@yourmum69_420]

@@timbeaton5045 which was not made today

[@timbeaton5045]

@@yourmum69_420 No, But it was made in the current era of CGI. Just down to the choices made by Jackson.

[@yourmum69_420]

@@timbeaton5045 point is people don't use those techniques any more. Those films are 20 years old and filmmaking has gone downhill in the last 20 years. Among other things, we've been getting more and more cgi and less practical effects in the last 20 years. Even those hobbit movies from the same director had much worse effects. Two decades ago is not "today"

[@jessihawkins9116]

we don’t need this crap anymore. we have computers and cgi and stuff. we also have more scools whitch is why acting is more better.

[@badGamr]

Very cool. If anyone is interested, the car used here is the SOLIDO 1/18 - ASTON MARTIN DB5 - 1964 - Model # 1807101 - Goes for about $60 US or about 60 quid in the UK.

[@sudamadas344]

Great technique here. What I would do it park my real car at the road side, then align up the model and shot such that the model matches the dimensions of the real car and mark the correct distance to stand or move about. Then move my car out of the frame and do the final take.

[@GalaroidProductions]

I love the breakdowns you do on these videos. A lot of channels make these tutorials confusing, but you go in depth in a way that's a lot more understanding, and it makes it more entertaining to watch other than it just being a tutorial. I've made about two long films now, and I've used a few of your tricks for my movies and they've worked like a treat. These tips and tricks are really great to follow along, and they help a whole lot! Keep it up, this is some real quality stuff man.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Great to hear! Hope your projects go well

[@-bok-8011]

A simple trick that could add some precision to the effect would be to mesure the distance from the camera to the desired place of the car, then divide this distance by the scale of the model and make sure the toy is placed at the right spot! Very good video oserwise! 👍

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

For sure, that would probably get you a much more accurate result

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

I’ve always loved your use of miniatures! Keep it up, Steve!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Thanks, great to hear!

[@ranger51262]

Nice, I didn't have these fancy cameras back in the 1970's but did the same forced perspective shots

[@sunestestudios]

This is so cool Steve, I wanna make a short film with this technique now. Keep it up with the innovations!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Best of luck!

[@simonlaurens584]

A really great video as always. Always fantastic for inspiration! Look Forward to the next one. Thank you.

[@Hyperdogproductions]

This kind of practical film making techniques are what I've been looking for in a channel. Great work! Keep it up!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

More to come and lots to see!

[@thejamesbondshow9754]

Brilliant and so happy I've just discovered your channel. Can't wait to binge watch it.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Welcome!

[@TheRealSKEFT]

you explain it so goodly

[@CZghost]

That car pass by was awesome! :D

[@harrycalderbank6715]

A great little video to show this fun technique. I have been doing this with all my 1/18th scale models for a year now and it is constantly challenging. More and more, I try to include myself and also some real cars in the background. I often go to the trouble of looking up the dimensions of the real version of the model being used and set my tripod height accordingly depending on what part of the model I am lining up on. All my work is on flickr and if anyone wanted to look, just get on flickr and look up any of the model car groups. I liked your fake road here. Very good! Thanks for sharing this Steve!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

That sounds amazing! Keep up the experiments 👍

[@crypt0sFX]

Superb quality!

[@DevotedSentry]

Helpful as ever! Keep up the great work!

[@SynergyFootball]

Loved the bit at the end when the real size car goes past. Brilliant

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Yeah it was a happy accident and left it in to show the real scale 😂

[@resinotype]

Just perfect. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@afrikadevelopa8652]

You're such a genius! I love it so much since it's also my interest

[@punkworkschannel]

Does look real! This way of shooting models works really well.

[@UROfpv]

Love it! Thanks a lot

[@stevedillard9169]

Brilliant and easy explanations. Some videos get waaaay too complicated with trigonometry, etc, but not this one. Exactly what I was looking for and enough for me to go out and try myself. Cheers!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad it helped!

[@mephisto--]

I love this effect, that's crazy !

[@roligrafie]

Ich finde es Mega, wie Du es immer wieder schaffst, so real die Filme zu gestalten. It´s a Amazing🙌

[@JackLennon.]

Justo el canal que necesitaba 😱me encanta como usa maquetas u objetos reales para hacer efectos , era lo que necesite por mucho tiempo, gracias 🤗🥰

[@ShaundonProductions]

Always enjoy watching ur videos

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad to hear!

[@od628]

fantastic! Definitely trying this out!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Have fun!

[@brandonjacksoon]

That's really interesting! Thanks Steve!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad to hear

[@RapidActionAnimations]

Looks great! The final shot was a bit off in my option. The car seemed a bit small in that shot and you could have simply stood further away to make it seem bigger. Nonetheless practical effects are really good to use and you did a great job!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Yes, I didn't have long to try this one - definitely hard to get the sizes and distances spot on!

[@Carwyn.Morris]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin The easiest way to get the sizes right is a bit of Math. Distance from lens to model 2ft (scale 1/18) 2 x 18 = 36 Feet.

[@yourmum69_420]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin also the road wasn't really lined up straight either. Anyway, great tips and video thank you

[@southlondon86]

Brilliant video sir

[@diptiman2008]

Amazing...this guy is so creative.

[@CoolRunningReviews]

What a nice fun video, has given me so many crazy ideas to try....thank you.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad to hear!

[@altamiradorable]

Steve ! You are the best ! Thumbs up

[@brandonjacksoon]

Helpful ;) thanks Steve!

[@liauchungren848]

Utterly interesting and fun to watch pal. Well done keep loading

[@PipCritten]

Brilliant as always.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks!

[@testseriesbyhardeepsharma4870]

Bro hire me as your assistant, can learn a lot....you are just outstanding 🙏

[@andrewlutes2048]

I’m gonna try this!

[@ErisedMediaCo]

I’d love to see something along these lines using a model house. That’d be quite cool to pull off!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Time for a Buster Keaton falling house / window stunt haha!

[@TK42138]

Good video. Any video that involves using models and miniatures is always interesting. 👍

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Same for me!

[@saaaagar]

Thank you for making this videos they are helping me alot to learn more about low budget filmmaking, miniatures and some of the best techniques for free of cost and easy to watch love from india.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad to hear!

[@patsimon6136]

you are the best as always !!!!!

[@hs.Racing]

thanks Steve... we can learn from your channel..

[@OllisFilmkueche]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OllisFilmkueche]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin Steve I enjoy your channel a long time and it helps for my own short film projects. Thank you that I can learn many things from your great tutorials.

[@rfdez2724]

Amazing like always.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks

[@jariylitalo5681]

Thanks that Great video Steve!!!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DaveAMcLaughlin]

Great job! 👍

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks 😄

[@tg5163]

Loooooove ur tutorials😊Thx u🖤

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Awesome Video. I need to try this...

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Give it a shot :)

[@JIRKA_Praha]

Amazing (Y) Thx for it !!

[@IshmaelSkyes]

That's very cool!

[@YannickFilms]

Awesome🔥 loved the ending😂💯

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Thanks, was an accident haha!

[@laurentb6853]

Hello Steve, your vidéos are gold nuggets!!! So good to see but rare😇👍🤩🤩 you are very talented , thank you very much to share how you think to set.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks, glad they are useful :)

[@Shareholda]

I have learnt a lot from your videos How do I pull out from a toy car..am working on a video ..I seriously need the effect ..you just earned a lasting subscriber

[@rodelbunag9823]

Amazing!

[@DadsRCHangar]

That’s very simple and clever, I will have to try this with my RC planes. Thank you for sharing 👍🏻

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

No problem 👍

[@stasinossofroniou7430]

Great Video. Subscribed!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Welcome!

[@mattes217]

Thank you mate! Now i know how to make a shot with my de Lorean time mashine

[@marinadela1361]

Perfect trick

[@psoon04286]

Hitting the right depth of field is critical in getting the illusion right, and like you say, its the little things that add to the overall effect

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

100%

[@ROYSMoGraphDesign9900k]

this is pretty much really Good incredible IDEA which you shown us👀 to make a Short budget Movies like you said, Grate JOB , it's creative 🔥

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad you liked it!!

[@allezvenga7617]

Thanks for your sharing

[@CoasterTeaFox]

I'm making miniatures for a collab with another creator and this helped so much, thank you.😊

[@DanDavisHistory]

This is very cool.

[@introvertsharma]

Looks good

[@woodshed_moments]

Very talented young man...

[@joefalcon870]

thats cool. i have several models at home, will have to give it a go' thanks

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Have fun!

[@befana033]

U need a 0,75x speed for this video ! But absolutely lovely one ! Thanks bro

[@Ric0974]

You are brilliant 🤓🤓🤓

[@89dool]

Awesome technique and a great explainer. Can you elaborate on how to add your own shadow onto the car and ground in post production? That would really elevate the shot and erase all doubt of the viewer.

[@Veujin]

You can even think of it mathematically. If you want the car to appear a certain distance from your camera, place the model at that distance multiplied by its scale, which is 1/18 in this case. Start measuring from the entrance pupil (the nodal point). You can even pan by rotating the camera around this point. In theory...

[@cAPIVARAff]

I really love your videos, I hope one day I have the money to take one of your courses, unfortunately here in Brazil it is very expensive because of the euro conversion

[@GreenMagic0]

Fun Fact: I love your tutorials bro! Another tip for any after effects user is down.... I subscribed you bro!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

More coming soon!

[@AndersBakfeldt]

that was awesome

[@nirmalsahu4755]

Thanks for tip

[@simonwells733]

Very cool

[@gsjjhda2483]

Cool than ever before.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks

[@darahauspage]

Thanks!

[@gaborriedo7348]

Wow great. Which focal length do you taken for this shot? Great stuff I like it so much.

[@salim.hossain]

That's awesome

[@Ric0974]

I should try this

[@pauljakeman]

This was absolutely BRILLIANT. Thank you! I can't even afford a cheap nasty car never mind an expensive posh one haha.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Haha same here

[@maesc2001]

Amazing.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Thanks!

[@shokojimhollingsworth3940]

Brilliant! Just had an idea about using the same model in a different way... forced perspective but in the opposite direction. Say, live actors standing on a balcony, shooting from higher up with the model in place just over the railing so as to look like it’s parked in a drive several levels below. More complicated with shadows etc, but it might be interesting to try. (I’m envisioning the veranda of a posh French chateaux with a gravel drive that would again be forgiving with the join. 🤷‍♂️) edit-words

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Thanks, yes models give you loads of good ideas to try!

[@timmoore6656]

It would be so cool to work with you! Love the videos!

[@KWHCoaster]

Careful, the tires can can ruin the illusion when not seated into the ground. They are only perfectly round on the store rack. Look at the light under your right front tire in the road side shot. You can improve the appearance by heating the tires to flat spot and push against them when warm to bulge them, giving the vehicle weight. On a 1/16 model I built, the kit tires were hollow so I used small bolts to secure the model to the base. When I tightened the nuts under the base, they pulled the model to the base and bulged the tires.

[@TheRealSKEFT]

i love ur vids

[@schoeferfilm]

Very good 👍🏻 we made some years ago a similar sequence 😎🙈 best cinematic greetings from germany

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Amazing! Danke

[@dougriter2510]

Pretty cool :)

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks

You are a genius !

Its all about angles and line... we don't need to worry for Exposure, WB, Shadow...it given already. Using 1.8 definition is dope! This is the best fx I ever seen. It is cheap also...

[@964cuplove]

You could actually soften the light on the miniature a tiny bit, or add a bit of fill light from the front (bounce) a miniature will always be a bit crisper with blacker shadows as the atmosphere isn’t there to soften them.

[@loui_loi_]

Preciate you brother

[@ThePhobicFlyer]

That is absolutely fantastic!!! I bet a nearly foot long DB5 is still pricey though lol :) I need to get me a model PIPER Warrior PA28 to put in my field as this could be real fun to do!! Thanks for this great idea! Andy

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

I think it was about £50 in the UK - but getting lots of ideas from it. Like this new one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/farEZYR4prilgNE

[@ThePhobicFlyer]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin Thanks Steve, that is just amazing!!! Have subscribed. Cheers Andy

[@starboy7336]

Cool 😎

[@darkworld5026]

Hi Steve, great stuff! I am trying to find the same driver by footage on Artgrid you are using, but cannot find it. Does the clip have a title? Thanks!

[@KS-bq4rs]

wow nice 1

[@ronweed2030]

This just made me think of modellers who are building kits - but creating museum quality pieces with extreme detailing. Much better than that diecast model you used in this demo.

[@stephanompunga1026]

My teacher. Thanks