How to shoot your own film?

Film production: How to shoot a mirror without the camera showing up?

• I would like to shoot a character giving a monologue into a mirror; I want the shot to be head on, but I don't want the camera in the shot via the reflection.

• Answer:

  Two ways come to mind: One: shoot toward the mirror from a very slight angle. You might even try putting the camera on the floor, aiming between the actor's legs to see his face (somewhat) straight-on in the mirror. Tilt the mirror backwards from the top (just a little) and you won't see the camera on the floor. They used that trick in White Knights. Two: light ONLY the immediate area needing to be seen, in this case, your actor. Hang as much black cloth (like duvatine) around the set as you can, and fall back into the shadows with your camera. If the lighting on your subject is bright enough, it will leave the camera in blackness, and you'll never see it in the mirror. Good shooting!