I’d like to commence this blog post by stating how sad I will be for this studio to be over, and how greatly it has exceeded my expectations. I would also like to thank Robin for being the best studio leader you could hope for and for his dedication and enthusiasm for sharing his passion for découpage with us and exposing us to the wide world of cinema camera coverage!
I have submitted my final assessment for the Media Exhibition, which attempts to utilise the Vertigo Effect, or dolly-zoom effect in order to create perspective distortion for the viewer. Popularised by Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958), the dolly-zoom is achieved by dollying the camera in while simultaneously adjusting the zoom out, the subject intended to stay the same size in the frame. Therefore, the subject appears stationary while the background changes size, creating perspective distortion. While I admired the method, I couldn’t help to think that the Vertigo Effect was somewhat overused by directors following Vertigo, famous examples including Jaws (1975) and Poltergeist (1982) – the effect dominating the thriller category. While some may dismiss the Vertigo effect as a cheap trick, the Dolly-Zoom utilised in Robert Redford’s Quiz Show (1994) on actor Ralph Fiennes stood out to me for the subtlety it brought to the effect. In terms of découpage – I believe that used right, the Vertigo effect is an effective way to demonstrate the feelings of vertigo, or a sense of dizziness or unreality. Followed by a quick jump shot to a ‘moment of realisation’ the effect gives the sense of snapping back into reality.
I have attempted to create this sense in my piece, and although it short and used subtly, I hope it will be effective to my audience.