What is the technique called, how is it achieved? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 26th, 2005, 01:22 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 73
What is the technique called, how is it achieved?

The technique is hard for me to describe, the subject in front of the camera stays still, while the back ground seems to move dramatically behind them, almost a zooming effect behind the subject.

If you know what I mean please post a few examples of it for study and please tell us how you did it. Currently I own a PD170 and Apple w/fcp5 studio. No other lenses other than what came with the PD170.

Its killing me to know what this is and how its done. I'm learning, this is a hobby for me. But someday I want to grow up to be a videographer/editor. Im 36 now. he he he. Thank you in advance.

If you know of any sites that show othe effects and how to achieve them, It would be appreciated.
David Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 01:41 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sweden - Helsingborg
Posts: 283
This is done by zooming while dollying forward or backwards against the subject. It's called a Hitchcock zoom or a Vertigo effect, I think it was done first in the movie 'Vertigo' from a while back.

The camera is pulled away from a subject while you zoom in with your lens. Or the other way around (Dolly forward and zoom out)

Kind regards,
Andreas
Andreas Fernbrant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 03:13 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 73
I am yet a grasshopper

I've heard that term many times, and yet I did not realize. It must take much practice to do that. A dolly is necessary to pull it off then? We'll I better by some skate boards and work on the the zoom. If anyone could post a few of those I'd love to see it.
David Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 04:32 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 73
i looked some more ...

http://www.maxoncomputer.com/tutoria...ialID=61&site=

http://www.siggraph.org/education/ma...a_techniqu.htm

im still curious of the techniques.
David Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 04:55 PM   #5
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,195
The reason why it's so difficult is because (depending on which effect do you want) you have to ZOOM and TRAVEL at completely the SAME speed, otherwise it doesn't work. (Or at least not good enough)

btw: also used in Jaws.
Mathieu Ghekiere is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 09:37 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Marcos, CALIFORNIA
Posts: 103
Just to kinda add something its not difficult to learn....it can actually be done while hand holding the camera as well.....but it is something that is hard to master to have the right effect. Also you want to make sure you use it in the right situation.
Kevin Calumpit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 10:00 PM   #7
Trustee
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brookline, MA
Posts: 1,447
It's called a zolly (zoom + dolly)
Emre Safak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 10:11 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Green Bay, WI
Posts: 73
It sounds like it should be called verti-no

Reading even more about this Vertigo shot, some one at this site:
http://www.filmmaker.com/DUMPS.html

Dolly/Zoom
No question. This is the most egregious, blatantly non-creative, non-cool, total student film red flag. Sure, Hitchcock used it in Vertigo, Spielberg used it Jaws, but enough is enough. It's cliched, overused, goofy, and overall a bad idea. By the way, what we're talking about here is a simultaneous Dolly-in/Zoom-out or vice-versa which compresses the background while keeping the subject at a fixed size during the shot. A student-film no-no. (The dolly/zoom is such a mark of a student film, it's a joke in the opening of THE BIG PICTURE.)

Hmmm I still wont give up, I just thought this was interesting. I like every side and all opinions.
David Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 26th, 2005, 10:18 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ontario
Posts: 445
Emre ,also called a doom (dolly + zoom)
Jack Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2005, 05:55 AM   #10
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
I've heard it called a "counter" or "counter-zoom."
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2005, 09:50 AM   #11
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Venice, FL
Posts: 850
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Nelson
Dolly/Zoom
No question. This is the most egregious, blatantly non-creative, non-cool, total student film red flag. Sure, Hitchcock used it in Vertigo, Spielberg used it Jaws, but enough is enough. It's cliched, overused, goofy, and overall a bad idea. By the way, what we're talking about here is a simultaneous Dolly-in/Zoom-out or vice-versa which compresses the background while keeping the subject at a fixed size during the shot. A student-film no-no. (The dolly/zoom is such a mark of a student film, it's a joke in the opening of THE BIG PICTURE.)

Hmmm I still wont give up, I just thought this was interesting. I like every side and all opinions.
In "The Cooler" this effect was used (IMHO effectively). But the movie is very tongue-in-cheek, so this was more funny than distracting. Also, IIRC it was used in "Campaign" with the same funny result. I think it is a good point that you should only use it in parodies/comedies. Even campy horror films.. It elicits an "amused" response from the audience.
__________________
You are either growing or dying.
Bob Costa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2005, 03:40 PM   #12
New Boot
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Depending on the nature of your production, you might want to consider motion backgrounds instead? You would need a blue screen or green screen for this and some quality choices of motion backgrounds, such as Jump Backs from Digital Juice.
__________________
John Marion
Kabul Film and Media
http://www.kabulmedia.com
John Marion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2005, 04:26 PM   #13
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Modesto, California
Posts: 206
I've seen this done in a lot of Wes Craven films. From my understanding there has to be a good amount of distance between the subject and the background, as well as symetrical angles in the shot, i.e. a long hallway, or tunnel.
Carlos Rodriguez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2005, 01:10 AM   #14
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Healdsburg, California
Posts: 1,138
Was this the technique used (although to a more extreme degree) in "Poltergeist" when Jobeth Williams reached the upstairs hallway and saw the hallway stretch off into the distance...and then as she began running down the hallway it suddenly zoomed forward again and compressed the distance?


BTW: In a somewhat minor, yet bothersome fashion, I have had this effect occur naturally with myself while walking in a few locations - due to a little eyeball shape defect and depth perception problem that has caused me to experience a style of this doom/zolly effect when I'm not wearing my glasses - It's pretty weird.
-Jon
__________________
"Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?"
- Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974
Jonathan Jones is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:38 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network