Dolly

Definition

A dolly is a wheeled cart or platform that moves the camera smoothly along tracks or on wheels, allowing for controlled movement during a shot. This technique enhances storytelling by creating dynamic visuals and establishing relationships between characters and their environments. The use of a dolly can add depth to scenes, influence the audience's emotional response, and help in crafting cinematic language through movement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dolly shots can be used for various effects, such as revealing information gradually by moving closer to the subject or creating tension by pulling away from it.
2. The smoothness of dolly movements can enhance the aesthetic quality of a film, providing a more polished visual experience compared to handheld shots.
3. Dolly in and dolly out are terms that describe moving the camera closer to (dolly in) or further away from (dolly out) the subject, affecting the viewer's perception and emotional involvement.
4. Using a dolly can help maintain consistent framing and focus, especially in scenes with complex action or multiple subjects.
5. The introduction of modern electric dollies has improved precision and control over camera movements, allowing for more intricate shots and creative storytelling.

Review Questions

• How does the use of a dolly enhance cinematic storytelling through camera movement?
  • The use of a dolly enhances cinematic storytelling by allowing filmmakers to create dynamic shots that engage viewers emotionally. By moving the camera in relation to characters or environments, a dolly can reveal important details or shift focus, thereby influencing how an audience perceives the narrative. This controlled movement helps establish relationships between characters and their surroundings, ultimately contributing to the film's overall visual language.
• What are some advantages of using a dolly compared to other camera movement techniques like panning or handheld shooting?
  • Using a dolly offers advantages such as smoother motion and greater stability compared to handheld shooting, which can often result in shaky footage. Unlike panning, which only moves horizontally around a fixed point, dollies allow for multidirectional movement—forward, backward, and side to side. This capability provides filmmakers with more creative options for framing shots and capturing nuanced interactions within scenes.
• Evaluate how incorporating dolly shots into shot planning and storyboarding can impact the visual narrative of a film.
  • Incorporating dolly shots into shot planning and storyboarding significantly impacts the visual narrative by shaping how audiences experience the story. When filmmakers decide where to place dollies within their boards, they think critically about pacing, tension, and character focus. For example, using a dolly in key emotional moments can heighten drama by drawing viewers closer to characters' expressions or pulling away during pivotal revelations, effectively guiding the audience’s emotional journey throughout the film.

Related terms

Crane: A crane is a piece of equipment that allows for sweeping camera movements, typically moving up and down or side to side, providing a high-angle perspective on the scene.

Tracking Shot: A tracking shot involves moving the camera alongside a subject, often using a dolly, to create a sense of movement and engagement with the narrative.

Pan: A pan is a horizontal camera movement that swivels left or right around a fixed axis, offering a different perspective than the forward motion of a dolly.