Push & Expand

The push and expand maneuver uses a combination of tracking and staging to create a dramatic exit. 

THE EFFECT

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The audience follow the actor as he walks off - but he pulls away at a greater speed. It is as though they are unwilling for us to keep up. This distancing of actor and audience creates a sense of isolation and abandonment.

EXECUTION
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The dolly has been set up on a short track directly behind them (in this case 20ft). Two actors are positioned at the front of the track. On action they begin to walk down the beach toward the desolate seascape. 
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As the actors move forward, the dolly pushes off slowly, allowing the artists to walk faster than you are tracking. By the end of the shot they should be a considerable distance away from the camera (in this case the dolly moved 20ft, the artists 40ft, meaning they made a 20ft gain). 

As you can see in the shot above, the camera has moved forward to tighten up against the images in the     mid-ground - but the actors have moved a considerable distance away. It is as though they are becoming more isolated and alone in this desolate landscape. 

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It is a useful shot to use when the drama of a scene focuses on the actors becoming withdrawn and alienated. What makes this shot so effective is its mimetic quality. As the audience try to remain with the actor they themselves are forsaken, emulating feelings of isolation and rejection.

Push In

The Push in is a very subtle forward motion on the track, rousing a sense of attraction and fascination toward the subject. This effective tool mimics a 'leaning into' effect; it is as though we are listening into a private moment (eliciting our voyeuristic tendencies).
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EFFECT
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The push in creates the following effects:
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1. It Promotes Intrigue: The push in creates the impression of eavesdropping (drawing us into the drama). Our voyeuristic tendencies are roused by the motion of creeping in upon an exclusive moment. 
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2. It Arouses Wonder: Unlike a simple cut from a mid shot to a close up, the 'push in' is more magnetic, drawing us into the actor's performance and focusing upon a pivotal scene.  
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3. It Punctuates a Moment: The slow 'push in' tells the audience that this is an important moment, and when the track stops it acts like a full stop punctuating the scene.

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 EXECUTION
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Position the camera on a track facing the artist/s (either head on or in this case a profile). Aim to start from a wide angle such as a medium shot.

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In the following example the camera is slightly favoring the lady in the red top. This allows us to see more of her expressions as she seduces her partner.

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As the scene commences the camera begins to push in to a close up on the two artists, maintaining a slow creeping speed throughout.

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Unlike 'punching in' where you surge forward at speed, the 'push in' advances at a more gentle and gradual manner, (in may take as long as 30 seconds from the back of the track to the top of the shot).

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It is a very flexible tool that can be used to highlight all manner of activities and emotions. Here are some examples:

A Revelation:  A psychiatrist begins to recall his past with a client.
a) Push in - He remembers the boy telling him he see's ghosts, who often don't know they're dead. 
b) Stop + Punctuate - He suddenly stumbles in shock as he realises HE is a ghost!
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A Declaration:  A warrior rallies his kinsmen for battle:
a) Push in - He rouses them with words of encouragement and strength.
b) Stop + Punctuate - He roars at them with a fervent call to arms, "fight for your people, fight for FREEDOM!
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A Speech: A Defense attorney speaks to a white jury about a racist crime:
a) Push in - He asks them to imagine the trauma a little girl who was raped and beaten by drunks. 
b) Stop + Punctuate - He ends with a comment aimed at their own prejudices "Now imagine the girl is black" 
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Thanks for reading. 

Punch In

The Punch in move is a simple but forceful push on a track that suggests an emotional surge from the subject whether it be fear, shock or desire.


THE EFFECT
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'Punching in'  is a great tool for emphasising an actors performance. The sudden, brisk movement creates a visual surge akin to an emotional outburst. It can convey an array of emotional reactions depending on the context of the drama. This bold manoeuvre typically expresses a strong emotional response such as excitement, aggression or shock. 


EXECUTION
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Set up a slider or a track several feet in front of the artist. The dolly should be facing the actor head on. The idea is that you're pushing in from a wide shot to a close up. The distance is up to you, but generally speaking, the wider the shot and the faster you push in to a close up, the more dramatic the effect.

As the scene begins, you're waiting for an emotional beat to present itself; for example
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Comedic: The sobering realisation that you are sleeping with a marine's wife as he walks into the bedroom!
Dramatic: The immediate rush of adrenaline as an officer pulls a gun on you with the intent to fire. 
Traumatic: The sudden shock from a phone call that your son has been killed in the line of duty.
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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.