How to Film Mirror Reaction Shot

The mirror reaction shot is one of those scenes from the movies that many newly aspiring filmmakers wonder. How is it filmed? Learning how to film mirror reaction shot without catching a glimpse of the crew in the background is certainly a challenge that newly aspiring filmmakers find incredibly intriguing. How do they place the cameras and the crew just right?

When filming reflected objects, it’s certainly a challenge determining placement of camera and cameraman. In a way that will not give way to their reflection in the same mirror. So, do you know how to film mirror reaction shot? Why can’t we see the crew in the mirror too? 

How to Film Mirror Reaction Shot

First things first, take a look at any movie in which a mirror reaction shot is shown. What do you see? “Um, a mirror, the individual looking into the mirror, no cast or crew?” Right, but what else do you see? “Well, I’m not sure…”

One thing you may not have noticed, but will probably notice in EVERY future instance of seeing a mirror reaction shot going forward is that these shots are generally captured from a mirror that is placed at an angle.

Angles

Look closely, and you’ll notice that the mirror is angled such that the camera and the crew are out of view.

Sometimes, there is a camera reflection in the mirror. To cover that up, professionals will sometimes have the actor look directly into the reflection of the camera that is visible.

This creates an illusion of the mirror reaction shot that implies that the actor is looking at himself in the mirror when in fact he’s looking at the reflection of the camera.

Additional Ways to Film Mirror Reflection Shots

Sometimes the scene or setting won’t all for the intricate placement of angled mirror required for this to play out correctly.

When figuring out how to film mirror reaction shot without showing the crew or the camera in the mirror.

Or where it’s not possible to keep the reflection clear, there are alternative options. 

Where there’s a will, there’s a way and sometimes when it comes to filming — creativity is key! 

Optical Effects

The mirror reflection shot can be achieved using visual effects. Through computer generated imagery (CGI) to recreate the reflection without the view of the camera or crew. This is also possible using optical effects. 

Another option that allows for the creation of the mirror reflection shot is to use a window, instead of a mirror. Such that on the other side of the window a mirror image version of what is to be seen as the “reflection” is shown.

Thus, there is not actually a mirror, but the appearance of mirror shot. Now that you know how to film mirror reaction shot, what steps will you take to incorporate this into your next film?

Still confused about how mirror shots can be pulled off seemingly without effort? Paul E.T. digs deeper into the nitty gritty with this fantastic video: