P3D RE: (Hello) Dolly Motion

["Mr.Lizard" <mrlizard@xxxxxxxx>]

              Bob Wier said, "The "dolly motion" technique seems to be dying
out (at least for the stuff I watch). It's been replaced by the jerky
fast-slow-fast video shot."

If the dolly motion shots are like those used in last year's Gap (Swing
Dance) commercial, then I think that a form of it is alive and well.  I've
not yet seen the movie, "The Matrix," but a TV special described some
special effects which seem to use dolly+computer effects.  I think they
called the technology, "Bullet Time."  Characters are frozen in
mid-slow-motion-karate-kick.  If I understood the technology, they used 120
still cameras to freeze the shot and allow the virtual movie camera to move
around the character.  All filmed on a green screen so that other characters
and scenes could later be added.  They likened each still shot to an
animated cel.  Then, they used computer technology to fill in between the
shots, as in-betweeners do for cartoons.  The computer could then manipulate
the virtual camera, going forward or backward.   The scenes I've seen in
commercials look really cool. They also used a number of slow motion cameras
throughout the movie.  These artists keep pushing the edge of FX
technology... I only wish they'd make use of 3D.
    I wonder if I could get a few succesive shots from their Bullet Time
stills....

Chuck Fielddd




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