The Dolly Zoom: More Than A Cheap Trick

When I was a kid this was the effect I always looked for in movies and delighted in when I saw it, I had no idea how it was done and I was fascinated by it. Even now I know how it's done, it's one of my favourite effects :)

Another great video! Fun fact; Hitchcock shot that clocktower dolly zoom on a horizontal set instead of, as it looks like in the scene, a vertical one, saving a bunch of money in the process; creative and efficient!

When he mentions animation, I got my hopes up to hear about the shot in The Lion King. The one at the beginning of the stampede, when we dramatically zoom in on Simba's shocked expression? I've always been under the impression that was a dolly zoom, maybe giving it a pass considering it was animation..

Lol that end had me on the floor 😂😂

Literally I was trying all my life to find the name of this effect, is so badass

I love that Brad Bird uses so many subtle live action camera techniques in his animated movies! I'd also love to see you talk more about Pixar.

Such a hypnotizing effect.

This is almost exactly like Filmmaker HQs video from 2013

Don't forget the dolly zoom in Raging Bull. Great stuff...

One of the best uses of the dolly zoom is in the french movie "La Haine". The first part of the film, which takes place in the suburbs, consists of really neat close and medium shots of characters and backgrounds. The second part, which takes place in Paris downtown, consists of shots emphasizing the characters only, the background being blurry, And the transition between the two : a dolly zoom. Beautiful filmmaking.

An example I always like to give of the dolly zoom in traditional animation is in the Lion King, when the stampede begins and Simba looks up to see it. The "camera" rushes up to Simba's shocked face as his ears drop, while the field of view widens to show more of the background. It's very dramatic and effective!

A very effective shot. That scene in Jaws is so memorable. I have never even noticed it in Goodfellas and I’ve seen it dozens of times.

I preferred the version where there was 3 minutes of nothing. It's a great opportunity to think about and consider what you just watched

I think there's one in an episode of Mr Bean when he realizes the oysters he's eating have gone off

I really appreciate your videos! Always really well thought out and made with great knowledge! Great work man!

Great video! The dolly-zoom is one of my favourite optical effects in movies. As you said, it can give you a feeling of weirdness and confusion or fear, but it is also used to build up a relationship with a character. I first noticed it in the famous stampede scene from "The Lion King", when I watched this movie as a child (and this scene is one of the main reasons why it is still one of my favourite movies!) and later in movies like Roland Emmerich's "Godzilla" (laugh at me, but I still like this one!), "The Lord Of The Rings" and, of course, "Jaws". This technique still fascinates me. My dream is to become a director. I will for sure use this effect in some of my movies!

Finally got interested in this effect because of Spiderman No Way Home.

The one in Fellowship has always been my favorite.

That shot in The Lord of the Rings is what got me into dolly shots, they're probably my single favorite kind of shot and I was obsessed for years before I found out what they were called

My favorite scene using this technique was in "Three O'Clock High", a lesser-known 80s teen film starring Casey Siemaszko. Brilliantly done to convey a similar feeling to its use in Goodfellas: the world closing in around him as time marches him closer to his inevitable destruction.