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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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Thanks for reading.
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