Indie filmmaking tips and tricks from the set of The Graduates. (dir Ryan Gielen)

Background Imaging: using subtle images in the background to reinforce the reality of a scene is not only smart, it's necessary. Ever seen a street scene from the 50's where a Hummer passes in the b.g.? Or a parade in "Boston" with a Maryland Lottery billboard in the b.g.? Little slips like that seep into the viewer subconscious (or worse, into their conscious mind) and ruin the reality you're desperately trying to create. When done well though, background imaging can reinforce the reality, and help to deeply immerse a viewer in the world you're asking them to enter. graduatesmovie.com