Get ready to dive into the world of Francis Ford Coppola’s signature dolly move and how it has impacted the overall aesthetic of some of his most iconic films. From the Godfather trilogy to Apocalypse Now and The Conversation, Coppola’s camera work captures events that feel momentous and powerful. In an interview with James Lipton on Inside the Actor’s Studio, Coppola revealed his technique for giving his dolly shots extra gravity – by loading the dolly with every sandbag on set until it weighed over 900 lbs. The resulting movement was slower, smoother, and had an ominous sense of power and fate about it.
While handheld movement can be effective in some films, Coppola’s use of the weighted dolly creates an objective, impartial observer that conveys the sense of history being written. To get the most out of this technique, the camera needs to be on a tripod or other mount that can make slow, jitter-free movements. Consider using a heavier, cinema-style camera or a geared tripod head to enhance the effect.
If you’re planning on using this technique, make sure to check your dolly or slider’s weight capacity before adding too much weight. And don’t forget to keep the load clear from where the operator needs to be to move the camera. This is a technique that can add weight and impact to your shots, but be prepared to carry hundreds of pounds of sandbags to the set and back again!
Ready to up your cinematography game? Check out our other articles on chroma key and green screen footage, the Teradek RT system, choosing aspect ratio, and more.
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