The Ultimate ‘Unorthodox’ Filmmaking Idea?

Inspired by MAD Video Parodies

The concept I’m about to share is undoubtedly an unorthodox approach, both in terms of filmmaking and acting.

For those who see cinema as a form of artistic expression, this idea might seem outrageous. However, I view filmmaking as a tool for converting entertaining stories into visual media. While our perspectives may differ, I find one major benefit appealing: it significantly reduces production costs.

This idea stemmed from online parody videos, particularly those where subtitles were reworked to create entirely new stories. For instance, scenes featuring Hitler from Nazi Germany are often humorously repurposed through altered captions. These are part of what’s known as MAD videos (though most of these are no longer available due to copyright infringement).

What’s fascinating is how these videos transform serious scenes—intended to be dramatic—into something comedic and entertaining, simply by mismatching the performances with absurd dialogue. Strangely, it feels as though the performances “match” the fake dialogue. Could this concept be applied to filmmaking?

Reusable Visual Patterns in Simple Drama Scenes

Consider simple visual patterns in dramas. For example, a family dining scene in a home drama might typically include:

• Close-ups of each family member,
• Dialogue exchanges,
• Arguments breaking out mid-meal.

Although the narrative changes based on the script, the visuals alone, without sound, often follow similar patterns. Could replacing dialogue, as done in dubbed foreign films, make the same footage work for entirely different stories?

The same principle applies to crime dramas. Scenes in police rooms—where officers gather for meetings, receive instructions to investigate, and later return to report their findings—are structured similarly. With slight variations in dialogue or victim photos, these scenes could theoretically share identical storyboards.

In animated series, this concept becomes even clearer. Conversations in static settings frequently reuse the same backgrounds and character movements, with only dialogue altered to suit new episodes. This “art recycling” is standard practice in animation production.

The Idea of “Unorthodox” Filmmaking

As a creator of multiple adventure films (see here and here), I’ve noticed that certain imagery—like walking in forests or caves—gets reused. Such footage serves as “stock imagery” and, when costumes remain consistent, seamlessly integrates into different episodes.

My radical idea takes this one step further: What if even dialogue-driven scenes were treated as reusable stock footage?

For example, campfire scenes—where characters dine and talk—are common in my films. Normally, I shoot unique footage for each episode because the dialogue differs. But what if I pre-recorded a variety of expressions and angles during a single session, intending to dub in context-appropriate dialogue later?

This approach could save significant time and effort, allowing resources to focus on other scenes.

Expanding the Idea with Green Screen

Using a green screen, actors’ conversations could be pre-filmed as stock footage. The dialogue could then be dubbed, and the background changed to fit different settings, such as:

• A forest scene with composite flames for a campfire conversation,
• A tent interior for a cozy exchange,
• A cave background for a mid-exploration break.

Changing the backdrop would prevent audiences from noticing the footage’s reuse, adding flexibility while maintaining production efficiency.

Addressing Concerns

Critics might ask, “Why resort to such unorthodox methods?” They might argue that scenes should be filmed in their respective locations—caves, forests, or around real campfires. But this “traditional” method can drag amateur productions into endless cycles.

Unlike professionals, amateur filmmakers often shoot sporadically—once a month or every two months. Completing a film this way could take years, with no guarantee of skill improvement due to the lengthy gaps between shoots.

In contrast, producing films more rapidly increases experience and proficiency. While some may dismiss this as “unartistic,” they overlook the charm of entertaining yet cost-effective storytelling, much like the appeal of those parody Hitler videos.

With the actors’ consent, I plan to explore this “acting stock footage” concept in future projects. I hope this unconventional idea inspires your creativity!