Abstract: A method for controlling a depth of field when filming a scene. A rear-projection screen behind a subject in a foreground is provided. An image is projected onto the rear-projection screen to act as a background for the scene. The scene is filmed including the foreground and the background. A varying degree of focus is applied to a plurality of objects in the image as a function of a degree of focus of each of the objects for an intended distance between each of the objects and the subject.

Abstract: There is described a setup for filming a scene including a video tape recorder, a projector, a rear-projection screen, and a camera. Using this setup, many novel filming methods are described which provide actors with the flexibility of seeing the context in which they are acting in real-time. Post-production costs are reduced by having the background present during the actual filming of a scene instead of having it inserted at a later time using editing software. In addition, the actors and/or objects in a foreground can interact with animated characters on the background scene and various types of special effects can be created such that the final product appears realistic.