What does Dolly mean?
Dolly refers to a platform on wheels used in filmmaking to create smooth camera movements. The camera is mounted on the dolly, which is then moved along tracks or across the studio floor to capture shots that require movement, such as tracking or panning shots. Dolly shots are often used to add a sense of motion and dynamism to a scene. The dolly allows the camera to move closer to or farther away from the subject, as well as side to side, offering more flexibility than stationary cameras. In more complex shots, the dolly can be combined with cranes or jibs for a wider range of motion.
Example:The director used a dolly shot to follow the character as they walked down the hallway, giving the audience a feeling of moving alongside them.
Example: A dolly was used during a complex action scene, allowing the camera to smoothly track the actor”s movements without any shaky footage.
Did You Know?
The famous “dolly zoom” effect, popularized in films like Vertigo and Jaws, is created by simultaneously zooming in the camera lens while moving the dolly backward!
