I'm Intrigued... How In The H**l It Was Done...

Polanski

Polanski

Well-known member
Hi, guys.
I don't know how many of you watched the movie "Secret Window" with Johnny Depp.
In the initial credit titles, there's a non-stop take that starts in the lake, entering an upper window toward a laptop on desk and coming down the stairs to a sofa where Johnny is sleeping.
If any one here watched the movie and have an idea how in the hell they did that, I would be grateful to read about it.

Thanks
 
My guess is... CGI. You make several shots to intercut together with Computer Generated Imagery like many other films did it.

One major example of disguised CGI is Fincher's Panic Room. Has a lot of intercuted CGI footage in there.
 
It might be a crane and Steadicam combination. The operator stands on the crane for the first part of the shot then step off and go through the window.
 
you can see the CGI as the camera ascends to the window. Keep your eye on the interior of the house as the camera rises to the window. This is where the fake out occurs. Probably same thing as the camera descends down the stairs and enters the living room where Depp is sleeping. this is Two shots linked together seamlessly

Very easy to create with motion tracking software and tons of experience
 
Related:

They did a somewhat similar shot in Citizen Kane. The camera moves towards a restaurant, then cranes up to over it, and then down through the skylight and into the restaurant.

They did it with a model of the restaurant and two different shots.

My guess is that CGI is cheaper and easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top