Stockpiling Backgrounds You Can Only Capture Now

Maintaining Visual Consistency with Backgrounds

In traditional filmmaking, location scouting happens after finalizing a story. Crews visit locations and decide, “This is the place!” However, in outdoor settings, landscapes can change drastically between scouting and actual shooting.

With green screen filmmaking, you can capture background footage during the scouting phase when the location looks its most attractive. This pre-shooting approach is a hallmark of green screen filmmaking, allowing you to later combine the captured background with actors filmed against a green screen. The result? Scenes unaffected by shifting weather or seasonal changes.

Cultivating a Habit of Stockpiling Backgrounds

Typically, even in green screen productions, location scouting and background filming start after the storyline is outlined. However, I recommend filming and stockpiling background footage before you even craft your story.

Certain background types—regardless of a film’s genre or narrative—fall into predictable patterns. Stocking footage in advance reduces future limitations.

Key Locations Worth Capturing

Some places are especially worth prioritizing:

• Seasonally changing landscapes, like snowfields or cherry blossom avenues.
• Costly or remote settings that are harder to visit multiple times.
• Crowded locations where timing matters, such as trains, buses, urban areas, and scenic natural sites.

For instance, a snowy region may take its winter scenery for granted. Yet once spring arrives, that unique landscape becomes impossible to film.

The Importance of Timing

On one occasion, I had a meeting near a coastal area in early October. After the meeting, I planned to shoot some beach footage for future use.

To my surprise, the beach was crowded with sunbathers enjoying the last warmth of the season. Concerned about avoiding conflicts, I left with very little usable footage.

This example demonstrates how crucial it is to seize opportunities when available.

Filming Basics for Stocking Backgrounds

Background filming doesn’t require expensive gear—a smartphone camera suffices.

Here’s a simple approach:

1. Wide Shots: Begin with postcard-like angles showing the overall scene. Capture 2–3 options of the location’s full view.
2. Close-ups: Imagine where actors might stand. Film from those positions, rotating the camera around to cover various angles.

For close-ups, use a wide lens and adjust cropping during post-production, ensuring compatibility with your actors’ footage.

Capture What You’ll Miss Later

Many people regret not capturing fleeting scenery:

• “I should’ve filmed the snow before it melted.”
• “I wish I recorded the cherry blossoms before they fell.”
• “I missed the summer greenery!”

Reflecting on these missed opportunities can help develop foresight. There’s always a background worth capturing today.

Expanding Creative Opportunities

Stockpiling background footage is neither costly nor time-consuming. Sharing these resources among peers can significantly expand possibilities, offering diverse settings for green screen productions.

By making background collection a habit, filmmakers can maximize the flexibility and efficiency of their creative process.