Cinematography technique · used in 3 films
Starting the film with one dramatic camera move that rushes through a space or pulls away to reveal vast scale. The opening sets the energy and size of the story.
Examples
Martin Scorsese · 1985
Cinematographer Michael Ballhaus opens with a camera that races through a crowded office and settles on Paul. It tells you the film will move fast and that Paul is stuck in a beige world he will soon try to escape. The energy lasts all the way to the dawn ending.
Where to see it: The opening office scene: the camera flies through the terminals and lands on Paul training a new hire.
Robert Altman · 1992
The movie begins with a very long single shot that glides around a studio lot, passing offices and cars. People in the shot talk about famous long takes in film history, so the shot comments on itself. It sets up a world where everyone talks about movies and nobody is straight with anyone.
Where to see it: The opening shot: the camera drifts through the studio lot, peeking in on conversations and pitches. Characters in the scene discuss great long takes from other films.
Robert Zemeckis · 1997
The film begins with a long pullback from Earth, past the Moon, Mars and the Milky Way, while radio broadcasts fade behind it. It ends on young Ellie's eye. The move makes human voices feel tiny and sets up the film's big question.
Where to see it: The opening: The camera pulls back from Earth through the solar system, then the galaxy, and ends on young Ellie's eye as she listens to her radio.
Questions