Anatomy of a shot: Raising Arizona at DVinfo.net

Alex Taylor · May 24th, 2004, 06:25 PM

**There are probably mild spoilers in here, depending on what you want to know **

Those of you who have seen the Coen Brothers' Raising Arizona will probably remember the shot towards the end of the movie where (hopefully without giving too much away) the bounty hunter drives up to the Arizona residence. Off the road, over the car hood, up a step-ladder, through a window and close on Mrs. Arizona screaming.

What I've established so far: Steadicam. It's got to be. If it isn't, it's very clever crane work. It's obviously been sped up, as well. The one thing that gets me is the ascent up the step ladder and through the window. Actually, now that I'm typing this out, I'm leaning more towards a crane on a dolly moving towards the house and up through the window. Any insights?

Regardless of the technical details, it's an amazing shot that really suits the energy of the movie.

Jeff Patnaude · May 25th, 2004, 08:15 AM

Actually, I remembered seeeing a "making of" of this. Its a lot more low-tech than you'd think.
It was two guys on either end of a 2x4 or 2x6 piece of lumber with the camera mounted in the middle. They just walk on either side of the car and lift the board over. Cant remember if they just cut to the window or how they got up the stairs. I THINK it was 3 shots they blended together.

My two cents. Great movie.

Jeff Patnaude :>)

John Hudson · May 26th, 2004, 06:33 PM

Thats a great tip and I would have never thought of that!

May 24th, 2004, 06:25 PM	#1
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	Anatomy of a shot: Raising Arizona There are probably mild spoilers in here, depending on what you want to know Those of you who have seen the Coen Brothers' Raising Arizona will probably remember the shot towards the end of the movie where (hopefully without giving too much away) the bounty hunter drives up to the Arizona residence. Off the road, over the car hood, up a step-ladder, through a window and close on Mrs. Arizona screaming. What I've established so far: Steadicam. It's got to be. If it isn't, it's very clever crane work. It's obviously been sped up, as well. The one thing that gets me is the ascent up the step ladder and through the window. Actually, now that I'm typing this out, I'm leaning more towards a crane on a dolly moving towards the house and up through the window. Any insights? Regardless of the technical details, it's an amazing shot that really suits the energy of the movie. __________________ alextaylor.org

May 25th, 2004, 08:15 AM	#2
Jeff Patnaude Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 248	Actually, I remembered seeeing a "making of" of this. Its a lot more low-tech than you'd think. It was two guys on either end of a 2x4 or 2x6 piece of lumber with the camera mounted in the middle. They just walk on either side of the car and lift the board over. Cant remember if they just cut to the window or how they got up the stairs. I THINK it was 3 shots they blended together. My two cents. Great movie. Jeff Patnaude :>)

May 26th, 2004, 06:33 PM	#3
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	Thats a great tip and I would have never thought of that!