Speak to the producer and assistant director (AD) of the production about the scene that will be placed behind you. Ask what mood and setting the scene exhibits, to obtain a better idea of how to move your body while walking in place. For example, if the scene is a forest, your arms and legs would require more movement than if you were walking through a city crowd.
Ask the crew to mark the spot where you will appear in the scene with - inch strips of duct tape on the ground, in front of the screen. Marking the ground with duct tape to identify where the actor will be placed is known as blocking. Use the mark as a guide to stay in place while walking.
Practice walking in place on the mark indicated on the ground. Use the information you received from the producer and AD to decide your body movements. Stretch your body to loosen up muscles and relax. Then visualize the setting in your mind to get a feel for the scene.
Match the movement of your arms and knees with the movement of your hips when walking in place. Slightly bend your knees and swing your arms front and back, while lifting your feet 2-inches off the ground, when creating a casual walk. Stand with an erect posture and keep you arms on the side of your body when creating a rushed walk.
Slowly lift each foot 5-inches off the ground and move your arms away from your chest, if walking in front of a scene with thick brush, such as a jungle. Place arms on the side of your waist, and gradually sway your torso from side to side, while walking on the tip of your toes, when pretending to walk quietly through a scene behind you.
Stand in front of the screen, on the indicated mark, and wait for the director's cue to begin walking in place during the shoot. Repeat the movements made while practicing before the shoot, to coincide with the scene moving behind you.