A Certain Effect

mackfilm

mackfilm

Well-known member
Hey there everyone.

I was wondering if any of you guys could explain to me how a certain effect is pulled off:

1. When the background zooms out but the person of interest remains stationary.
or
The background zooms out or elongates and the person standing still zooms in.

There is a clip like this in LOTR Fellowship on the road where the hobbits hide under the enbankment.
Any explanation and tips of how this effect is pulled off? Is it possible to do this effect on the DVX.

thanks
 
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It's easier with a dolly track and AC. You can do it handheld too but it takes a lot of practice.

You have to dolly in and zoom out at the same time or vice versa.

Oh, and don't forget the focus.
 
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I've pulled it off with a wheelchair before rather nicely. Have someone pull you backward in the chair while zooming in on your subject.

Dolly would be easier, though...
 
reaktor said:
Spielberg Effect! You either move closer and zoom out or vice versa.
Click to expand...

BLAH, it's the Hitchcock signature! Watch Vertigo or Psycho again to see the classic "zolly" shot (dolly in, zoom out, maintain focus and exposure at the same time). I've tried and tried to get this right in a variety of setups -- wheelchair, handheld, etc. My advice: if you want to do this, you've got to do it right, otherwise it looks like you're trying to do that cool thing you saw but you didn't have the budget to do right. To do it right? Tracks, dolly, and a handful of camera ops. That's why, until I have a budget, this one's out of the question. You'll spend far too much time and FAR too much money on a shot that's almost cliche at this point.
 
Sadly, I just saw this earlier tonight in "Reno 911!: Miami". Don't get me wrong - the show can be funny... the film - not so much.

Regardless, they 'zolly' on Dangle at one point. Go figure.

Thanks, VeryNewMediaGuy, for setting the record straight too. It is, indeed, Hitchcockian.
 
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