Lesson 8: The Zolly

Ready on set? Welcome to DRIFF’s DIY Film School, where we introduce you to some tips and tricks that any aspiring filmmaker can try from the comfort of their home. We’ll guide you through exercises to sharpen your skills as a filmmaker, showing you the basics of what it takes to succeed behind the camera so you can start shooting your own films today.

Lesson 8

The Zolly

You may have noticed a filming technique in movies where the camera zooms in on the subject in the foreground as the background separates from the subject. As the camera zooms into the subject–the camera is moving on a track. This results in the background becoming compressed as the focal point gets closer and closer to the camera.

This creates a distortion. This is what happens when you combine the zoom maneuver with a dolly set up. A dolly is essentially a fixed track that runs in one direction. This camera set up was first used on the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo. Shortly afterwards a name was coined for it–the Zolly.

In Vertigo this technique was used to showcase protagonist–John "Scottie" Ferguson’s–fear of heights. This cinematic technique is useful in reflecting the mindset of the character. Usually revolving around fear, the Zolly is effective in that it creates a distorted view by shrinking or extending the background of a scene. This technique is also famously seen in Jaws where Chief Brody realizes there’s a shark in the water as the camera crushes the background behind him and focuses in on his horror.

While you may not have access to this sort of setup at home, however, you can utilize many tools such as a tripod on a skateboard to create the movement needed to capture this effect. The right combination with this camera technique and editing choice can create some really impactful moments within one’s work.

Film can reflect moments in time or showcase the fear one may have. By using a combination of techniques you can create new effects that heighten this impact.

Connor Walsh is Photographer, Video Editor, and Writer based in Southern Ontario.

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If you’re interested in becoming part of a local film community or attending a film festival near you, the Durham Region International Film Festival’s events are for you! DRIFF presents an annual fall film festival in Durham Region, summer drive-in movie screenings in Whitby and DRIFF in a Jiff short film screenings in Oshawa. Visit driff.ca, become a DRIFF insider or follow us on social media at @catchthedriff for all the details.