Picture Car Glossary

overlay vehicle

What is an overlay vehicle?

Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars

An overlay vehicle is a picture car filmed separately and composited into a scene in post-production, rather than being physically present in the same location as the rest of the action.

Overlay vehicles are used when a specific vehicle is unavailable at the main shooting location, when safety or practical constraints prevent it from being on set, or when the VFX supervisor determines it is more efficient to add the vehicle digitally. The overlay vehicle is photographed with matching lighting, lenses, and movement so its post-production integration is seamless.