Why use a dolly for fixed/semi-fixed subject?

[Inprogress]

Let me explain: If you look at this video from the Kessler University pages (of which I am not affiliated at all or pushing products, merely as reference) http://www.kessleru.com/2011/04/cli... wall. Difficult to word, alas I tried again.

 

[D.Mur]

Great question. I actually think some of these dolly moves could work very well to tell a story because since they start in a limited frame they work as strong reveal shots. You could use a shot like that to introduce a character, or it could work as a reveal for a scene that opens a new twist to a story. Had the dolly not started in a limited frame it wouldn't be effective in this particular way.

Also these types of shots work well in montages as well.

 

[craigbowman]

As to the "reveal" which is the first shot of the first scene after the credits starting around 00:00:13 sec. Using a dolly is one technique of doing a reveal if someone wants to do something with a bit more production value than a pan. The fact the company behind the video makes the dolly equipment means that other choices for shots aren't very likely. Now why would someone want to do a "reveal". Picking up a copy of the hollywoodcamerawork training aid which takes them them six dvds, (seven if you also get the last one on hot moves), will really get into the details of the whys and wherefores behind all kinds of different shot design. Just learning how quickly to make and interpret blocking diagrams to derive shots lists is invaluable.

 

[FadlyWychowvski]

I think a dolly shot like that is supposed to exist in the corporate or product shots done for clients. Besides, a pocket compact dolly is just the right size for corporate/product shoots.

 

[Inprogress]

I just noted I should've been a bit more specific cause the question does relate to shorts and features, not so much corporate - I merely saw the video when looking at the gear and the thought of such a reveal (thank you D.Mur) crossed my mind and how it applies to telling of stories (not corporate videos).

I am currently reading The Five C's of Cinematography which I am finding quite interesting, though a tad laborious at times.

Thank you for the replies, suddenly with the word "reveal" it makes more sense to me. It is a more pleasing type of reveal which can be used (depending on the foreground before the subject is revealed) more creatively.

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