Dolly in, Zoom out...

Filmjunkie677

Filmjunkie677

Master of Horror
Has anyone tried to accomplish a dolly in and a zoom out at the same time a la "Jaws". I am planning on trying it for a shoot that is coming up. Any suggestions and/or ideas?? Too diffucult with the DVX??? Just curious. Thanks.
 
Or watch the Jaws one, then the Goodfellas one, then the Jaws one, then the Goodfellas one, and then don't do it! ;-)
 
I've done it twice, and it works great (dollied out, zoomed in). Takes a couple practice runs to keep the shot framed correctly and consistently. Also, if you are not using auto-focus, you will need a focus puller--hard to do both. (Haven't tried "focus assist" with 24p--maybe it'd do O.K. if you weren't going too fast.)
 
Or you could stop down and set the focus to infinity. Not as ideal as a focus puller but it works.
 
There are very few situations where this would be a well motivated camera move.

If you can find one that doesn't just come off looking like "hey guys this is a cool shot, lets do one of these..." then go for it.

You can also add a mailbox and refrigerator POV shot and then you can be assured of covering at least a few of the film school cliché shots all in a single movie.
 
pookie,

You are a respected veteran of our DVX community. Many of your comments are clever and funny. Your skill and experience is most commendable.

In light of the above, your responses to questions on this Board have the potential to
give great insight and be of tremendous help. It is therefore odd that you choose at times to be opaque in your communication with those of us who aspire to learn more from people with your credentials.

A good example of this is evident in your reply to this post. "Dolly in. Zoom out. You need instructions?" Perhaps this is evident to you ... but not to others -- including myself. Hence the question. If instead you had offered the helpful advice given by SilverWolf, your standing in our minds would be further elevated.

Please take these words in the spirit in which they are intended. You are one of the tides in our midst with the power to lift the boat in which many of us ride.

SilverWolf,

Thanks very much for your clear instruction. It helped me understand the bigger picture relating to the dolly in and zoom out mechanics.
 
pookie said:
Dolly in.

Zoom out.

You need instructions?
Click to expand...

It's my skull dude!

spicoli04_jpeg.jpg
 
alumna said:
SilverWolf,

Thanks very much for your clear instruction. It helped me understand the bigger picture relating to the dolly in and zoom out mechanics.
Click to expand...

Alumna I thank you for those kind words. I am glad that i've been able to help someone the way this forum and other have helped me.

I also noticed that you are in Maryland. I myself am also in Maryland near the Baltimore area and wonder where you may be?
 
SilverWolf,

Good to hear back from you.

I'm in the Rockville area. If your schedule allows, why don't we catch up some time. In fact, we could try to round up a few other fellow DVX Users in the area and learn more about this marvelous camera.
 
alumna said:
pookie,

You are a respected veteran of our DVX community. Many of your comments are clever and funny. Your skill and experience is most commendable.

In light of the above, your responses to questions on this Board have the potential to
give great insight and be of tremendous help. It is therefore odd that you choose at times to be opaque in your communication with those of us who aspire to learn more from people with your credentials.

A good example of this is evident in your reply to this post. "Dolly in. Zoom out. You need instructions?" Perhaps this is evident to you ... but not to others -- including myself. Hence the question. If instead you had offered the helpful advice given by SilverWolf, your standing in our minds would be further elevated.

Please take these words in the spirit in which they are intended. You are one of the tides in our midst with the power to lift the boat in which many of us ride.

SilverWolf,

Thanks very much for your clear instruction. It helped me understand the bigger picture relating to the dolly in and zoom out mechanics.
Click to expand...

I have never seen such sad request for help.

The topic is Dolly in, Zoom out... .

There is no mention of "I've tried doing this technique....", or "when I dolly in it....", or "I can't keep the speeds even.....".

This is a question from someone who doesn't even try first, and ask for help with a particular aspect, no, he wants help first "I am planning on trying it for a shoot that is coming up".

Give it a rest.

Get your camera, stick it on the dolly, and figure it out.

This is a simple technique, you're shooting video, you've got immediate replay of what you just tried.

"Has anyone tried to accomplish a dolly in and a zoom out at the same time...", "Too diffucult with the DVX..." bloody hell.

I understand everyone has to start somewhere, but how do you learn anything holding onto someones hand?
 
The trick on this one is to have a good dolly grip and someone with great hands pulling manual zoom; forget about trying it with the zoom controler, it'll be smooth enough. If you can manually rack focus as well that will be nice too, otherwise you might want to just leave the focus on the end point from the start.

I love the shot, but it's not easy to get.
 
I agree with KHMUSE, that you should make sure this is the type of shot you really want. As he said, what is the motivation for this type of shot. 90% of the time it comes off looking like a poorly done cliche student film. Also, take Pookie's advice and try some things, you'd probably be suprised at what you can do on your own.
 
I agree with Pookie; get ur arse out there and shoot it.

This shot can be done in your living room, on a skateboard, on a towel on the counter.

Post it here when youre done!

--
 
You bad Johnny!
Me skateboad on towel in living room.
Zoom,----me fall.
Dolly, me girlfriend rescue me.
Arse broke!!!
Damn.
Next time get Pookie to hold hand.
 
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