In a system and method for video communications, a user in an observation zone views a display image rendered on a vertically oriented screen through a two-way mirror in front of the screen. The two-way mirror is vertically angled at substantially 45 degrees, and reflects a part of a side wall in the observation zone. The backdrop for the light-emitting portion of the display image is provided by the reflection that is superimposed by the two-way mirror onto the non-light-emitting portion of the display image. The backdrop provides the light-emitting portion of the display image with a depth relationship that is observable when the user views the display image along a line of vision that extends straight through the two-way mirror to the screen behind the two-way mirror. A camera embedded in the side wall captures video of the user that is reflected by the two-way mirror from the observation zone back into the camera.