ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 9 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Hi Nena, how important is this baby in the story? It might feel odd to not have any shots at all of a baby if characters are "cooing" over it. Perhaps finding an infant just for a few close ups to sell the idea of a real baby.

11 years, 9 months ago - nena eskridge

Thanks all! I'll combine all of your suggestions! now the search beings, finding the right fake baby!

11 years, 9 months ago - nena eskridge

Thanks Sam think i will go with Paddy's rec. and find a reborn doll on Ebay.

11 years, 9 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

Well, I know someone called Shanaz Shakir who makes model babies that look real. She brought one in person to a business event, and everyone was crowding around the doll, some wanted to hold it. She has a PhD in horror too, and can draw and is a real artist. I don't know what it will cost to make a new one, but maybe you can lease or hire one if your film is insured.

uk.linkedin.com/in/shanazshakir

11 years, 9 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

And don't forget the baby hasn't learnt to act yet, so for anything close, use a very low soft light and not in the eyes and open up. Flag any light you cannot control.

11 years, 9 months ago - nena eskridge

thank you!

11 years, 9 months ago - nena eskridge

Got it, thanks Franz

11 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/life-like-baby-dolls

With varying degrees of creepiness.

11 years, 9 months ago - Sam Seal

I've shot a short film with a baby in it. E-mail me the script for the bits you want to shoot and I'll give you some suggestions based on my experience. abradacamera@gmx.com

11 years, 9 months ago - Daniel John O'Neill

Shoot the scene from the babies P.O.V
Then synchronise the desired sounds in Post Production
If you do need to show the baby use a doll but shoot it with a long lens from the corner of a room, make sure the baby doll is wrapped up and being cradled by one of the cast.

11 years, 9 months ago - nena eskridge

Good point. a real baby AND a fake baby. she's very significant to story so want it to appear authentic. thanks, Dan

11 years, 9 months ago - Kate Madison

I did a film about 5 years ago which required a newborn. ("Born of Hope" is the film) I was very lucky that a friend had just had her first baby and was amazingly willing to let me have him in the film. He was just 2 weeks old. If I hadn't have had that or if I need to do it again I would try posting notices in the local neonatal unit if they'll let you. Or find a pre natal group and ask if anyone would be interested. Having your baby in a film is a lovely keep sake. Maybe you can get a local radio station or newspaper to run a story about you and the film and advertise that way.

Kate Madison

11 years, 9 months ago - shirley day

HI, there are dolls that look amazingly lifelike. Think of it like a puppet, by just pushing limps from underneath you can make it move. It's going to be wrapped up anyway. It the film is a positive film about a young baby and it just has to sit on someones lap, try approaching your National Childbirth Trust (NCT) they may well be able to put you in contact with a mum and baby who would like to get involved.

11 years, 9 months ago - NICHOLAS PROSSER

I have often found myself "shooting babies" in shoots with fast moving schedules, e.g. EastEnders, Brookside.. Bonus time is if you or the crew know someone who has a new born so that you may just snatch a very close shot.. This could be away from the main shoot in another location and you could then insert this shot into the sequence in the edit. Otherwise, with a doll, it is very much down to the reality of the actor's performance. In particular a lot depends on how they hold the baby and their response to the baby. Soundtrack that you either acquire or could record separately of a baby crying is also an important ingredient.. Clearly dolls have to be covered so as not to reveal the cheat but quite a lot may be achieved by staging the actor to move strategically so that you may achieve beneficial camera angles. If you do use a real baby, try not to be too stressed by the baby crying. I found this was far more stressful than the schedule and all the other elements that can worry a director on a shoot day. Good luck