Sink Down (Slow Jib)

The Sink Down maneuver  is similar to a 'drop down', accept it descends more slowly. Where as a sudden drop implies a strong emotional reaction, the sink down suggests a more subtle response.

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EXAMPLE SCENE

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Amelie: In this scene, Amelie (a romantic introvert) plucks up the courage to phone a man whom she has a crush on. However she is perplexed when an older man answers the phone and starts to ask her explicit questions. She quickly realises this is not the man of her dreams. The sink down manoeuvre is used to express her disappointment.

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 EXECUTION

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To perform a sinking motion you'll need a jib arm (lever based or pneumatic). Start the shot at a high angle, and when an emotional beat presents itself, slowly drop the camera to a low angle position. This motion is indicative of a subtle feeling such as disappointment, discouragement or a sense of foreboding. These mild emotional beats are best illustrated with slow, gentle movements.

THE EFFECT

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When the camera drifts from a high to a low angle, it creates a subdued effect. This manoeuvre is useful when conveying a sense of gloom or passivity. In any given scene there may be a period where the character encounters a saddening or sobering event which causes them to feel weakened. During this emotional beat you can decline the camera to capture their sense of submission or desolation. 

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This effect can also take on a variety of different meanings depending on the context of the scene. Here are some variations of a 'sink down' manoeuvre that can be used to convey different emotional effects:

*  Depression       Upon hearing some bad news, the camera sinks down to depict the subject's 

                           emotional state as they become more and more disheartened.

*  Calm                After a stressful event, a character finds shelter to rest and recuperate. At this

                           moment the camera subsides to signify their 'calming down' from a traumatic situation.

*  Insecurity          A character is caught up in an overwhelming event that they feel is out of their control. 

                           At this moment, the camera jibs down to embody their loss of courage. 

EXAMPLE 2 (Recognition)

In another scene of 'Amelie', Amelie tries to match-make two dysfunctional lovers by getting them to believe they fancy one another. She approaches the man first and convinces him that he has a secret admirer. At first he seems confused, but when he see's Georgette by the counter he slowly comes to his senses. 

The 'sink down' effect takes place at then end of the scene. In this case the camera move embodies his thought process, as 'the penny drops', so too does the camera. It literally captures the moment he 'realises' Georgette fancies him.

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Drop Down (Fast Jib)

The Drop Down maneuver  is similar to a 'punch in', accept it works on a different axis. Instead of 'punching in' horizontally - the camera, instead, drops on a vertical plane.

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EXAMPLE SCENE

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Die Hard: While trying to maintain control of a formidable heist, the terrorist Hand Gruber finds his actions undermined by a rogue cop who keeps tampering with his plans. In this scene a pitch down maneuver is used when Hans gets a surprise call from John McClane.

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EXECUTION

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To drop the camera downwards you'll need a jib arm (lever based or pneumatic). Start the shot at a high angle, and when a stressful moment presents itself, drop at speed to a low angle position.

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THE EFFECT

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When the camera drops from a high to a low angle (at speed), it creates a sense of collapse. This maneuver is useful when conveying a characters shock and dismay. In any given scene there will typically be a beat where the character encounters a shocking event that instantly demoralises them. At this moment the camera can drop suddenly to mimic a sensation of crumpling or deflation.

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This effect can also take on a variety of different meanings depending on the context of the scene. Here are some variations that can be used with a drop down to convey an emotional effect:

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*  Empowered:      The sudden drop from a high to low angle serves to creates the illusion that the subject 
                             has grown in stature.  This is a useful tool to employ when you want to suggest that 
                             someones situation has changed from weak to strong. 

*  Insight:              If the camera is shooting from behind the artist at a high angle, you will see their p.o.v. 
                             of the lower horizon. By pitching down suddenly, the horizon drops emphasising the 
                             skyline. This can be used as a sudden reveal of something in the air (perhaps a UFO) or 
                             as a way of suggesting the characters shift in perspective.

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If you want to keep up to date with my articles on motion photography, then follow my blog via email or join as a member using the options in the upper right hand column. 

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Thanks for reading.