Would you like to provide a deeper meaning to your cinematic shots?
A dolly zoom is one of the most fascinating techniques used in film to convey various emotions.
The technique is also widely used in popular films and has even made its way into animation.
What Is a Dolly Zoom?
A dolly zoom is a cinematography technique first introduced by director Alfred Hitchcock in the 1958 movie Vertigo.
He used the effect to stretch out staircases when the character affected by vertigo looked down.
It helped the audience understand what the character might be feeling.
Imagine you are in an empty room looking out of a window.
The closer you are to the window, the more your vision is filled with the outside world.
However, moving toward the window while holding the camera will increase the landscape area you are capturing.
This movement is called a dolly-in, i.e., you are moving toward the subject.
Usually, cinematographers use tracks for smooth dolly in or out movements.
The cinematographer sits on a cart with a camera and is moved towards or away from the subject.
Combining the zooming and dolly movement creates the dolly zoom or vertigo filming technique.
Examples of the Dolly Zoom
Here are some popular movie shots that brilliantly use the dolly zoom.
Vertigo (1958):The dolly zoom was pioneered in this shot.
you’re free to see it in action when the character looks down while climbing the stairs.
The effect shows the uneasiness of the character.
The camera dollys out while zooming in, which creates an illusion of the forest opening up.
It brilliantly conveys what the character might be going through, and it also creates a bit of humor.
The Lion King (1994):When Simba sees a herd coming at him, he is panicked.
The director used a dolly zoom shot in animation to convey the feeling.
You will need a camera with a high range of focal lengths.
You will also need a rig to keep your camera steady while closing in or out on the subject.
you’re free to get a dolly track if you have the budget.
Otherwise, a shoulder rig or gimbal should be fine.
As long as there is minimal to no shake while you create the dolly effect.
Here’swhat to consider when buying a gimbal.
Lastly, you will need some practice to zoom perfectly while making the dolly movement.
you could create the vertigo effect in post-processing as well.
All you need is a phone capable of recording in 4K.
Keep your subject in the center of your vision and make the dolly in or out movement.
verify you have left enough space above and below the subject.
Now, all you have to do is add the zoom-in or zoom-out movement using video editing software.
Also, use a video stabilizing function to eliminate unwanted shakes.
If you are still determining which app to use, see our roundup ofthe best free video editing software.
So, whenever you want to convey these emotions, use a dolly zoom.
If you want to show stress, keep the zooming and dollying speed low.
Below is an example from the movie Quiz Show (1994).
The shot shows how the character finds himself isolated from the rest of the audience.
A similar but metaphorically opposite shot is seen in the movie Ratatouille (2007).
It shows the character getting closer to the guy on TV and being inspired by him.
With the proper equipment and knowledge of the shot, anyone can create the vertigo effect with minimal effort.
