So a jib shot that stays at eye level and tracks someone walking, this isn't equivalent to a pan of course, but it's not really a dolly, so how is it phrased? and does it approximate the feel and aesthetics of a dolly? what are some considerations and complications of this shot?
Jib question, moving subject at eye level
- Thread starter brianluce
- Start date
If the jib does not dolly or track to maintain a constant distance from the subject during the move, the subject will naturally be closer to the camera at one specific point within the resulting arc than any other.
Booming up or down has the same result when the base / fulcrum point remains static. Using a dolly or tracking shot in conjuction with the jib / crane move will make it possible to maintain a constant distance.
e
Booming up or down has the same result when the base / fulcrum point remains static. Using a dolly or tracking shot in conjuction with the jib / crane move will make it possible to maintain a constant distance.
e
Thanks, I understand that part of it, I'm just wondering more from the aesthetic side of things--I don't think jibs are commonly used for this shot and I'm wondering why. Focus problems? Or is it just not such a great looking move?
Gohanto
Veteran
I admit I'm guessing, but I understand what you're talking about. I would think it's because it doesn't really look all that different from punching in tighter. Not enough to spend the time and money moving the camera onto a jib anyway.
Also, from an aesthetic point of view, the camera is the eye of the audience and it gives a weird look to follow a character on an arc (getting closer then further away). That's probably the lesser reason of the two though.
Gary Sconce
Veteran
A jib swing tracking a moving actor could be a great shot if you block the action in the focal arc of the camera as it swings on the jib. The actor will be moving much less than the background giving a rapid feel to the action. If you have a swinging jib shot with a running actor that is also blocked to move in a corresponding arc with the camera focus, the background movement becomes so rapid that it could make for a very interesting effect with no special post production effects... Just creative use of a jib/crane and smart blocking by a director. Sounds neat. Add to this shooting backwards from the jib or shooting forwards from the jib in a following action and you can see that it has its place in the quiver of creative arrows a director can shoot.
rogar-BigGrin(DBG)