Stills from @s.nemz’s example videoChoose the lead portrait
Use one well-lit portrait you have permission to use. This person plays the diner who offers to pay. The date and waiter are supporting characters.
Set up the bill
Start with both people in the frame. Have the waiter set the check between them. Let one hand reach in, then have the other person stop it with a confident nod.
Hold the sponge reveal
Cut closer to the wallet. Hold the shot long enough to read the yellow sponge, then cut to a straight face. Keep the punchline visible without relying on captions or audio.
Finish at the sink
Follow the waiter to the kitchen or cut straight to the sink. Put the same sponge next to a stack of plates, then end on the first scrub. Preview your portrait in the studio or film the sequence on a phone.