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Dolly Zoom

Simultaneous dolly movement and counter-zoom distort depth, evoking vertigo and revelation.


Mechanics

The camera dollies toward the subject while zooming out (or vice versa), keeping subject size constant while background scales. Requires precise focus pulling and focal-length math to avoid breathing.

Iconic Moments

  • Vertigo (1958) stairwell.
  • Jaws (1975) beach realization.
  • Lord of the Rings: Fellowship (2001) Ringwraith forest.

Psychological Effect

The resulting parallax warp simulates tunnel vision, amplifying anxiety or epiphany.


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