So that's how they achieved it! SEVERANCE Elevator Transition Effect (Show Short)

[@ataraxia7439]

That so cool to have an interview with someone who’s not an actor or main director. Those people are really cool too but it’s nice to give everyone a chance to talk about what they do.

[@GoCreativeShow]

I couldn’t agree with you more! That is what we do at Go Creative Show. It’s all about shining a light on the behind the scenes crews that are super talented, but not always known. I’m glad you enjoyed the conversation. There is plenty more where that came from. BEN

[@BradiKal61]

She never really comes out and says it, but the move is the camera physically moves toward the subject while the lens widens out keeping their head relatively the same size in the frame but the perspective shifts from a telephoto to a wide-angle one. One of the best known examples of this is in Jaws when Roy Scheider is on the beach and he sees the shark take the kid off of the raft. The background becomes compressed in the frame and the effect is even more pronounced than in Severance

[@mr.balloffur]

Thank you for interviewing the cinematographer, this TV show is absolutely gorgeous.

[@GoCreativeShow]

We love it too

[@politure]

Seems like everyone in the comments is obsessed with demonstrating their knowledge of a dolly zoom haha. I think this is an awesome little interview with Jessica, gives a rare bit of insight from the cinematographer's perspective. Thanks!

[@GoCreativeShow]

Ashen.. THANK YOU so much for this comment. At the end of the day, this is a simple conversation with a fantastic cinematographer. I’m glad it’s sparked a bunch of conversation and i hope people are learning something from it. I really appreciate your message! BEN

[@razzle_dazzle]

It's because she never actually explains what a zolly (or dolly zoom) is in the clip. I don't know if she just assumes that everyone knows, but it's really a terrible first explanation for normies.

[@NomeIndeciso]

I did figure it was just a Hitchcockian kind of dolly zoom, but to me it wasn't immediately recognizable as such because you usually don't see that in such a sparse and confined environment. So even though it's sort of a classic technique, it's cool to see it used in such a subtle but effective way that felt unique. It's also interesting how they've developed it further with motion control and precise laser measurements. Like, I'm sure it would be hell trying to get a consistent effect doing so many of those shots manually.

[@GoCreativeShow]

I totally agree. It’s really the next evolution of the ‘zolly’ because of how precise it is. A lot of comments here reference the old Hitchcock move, but i agree this is a little different. The changes in the characters face is really drastic too. It doesn’t only effect the background. I love it. Thanks for watching. BEN

[@tmmnago2722]

@@GoCreativeShow Any way to do a diy version of this even if it's difficult manually?

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@tmmnago2722 That's a good questions. if you get a follow focus and slider or dolly you can probably do it on-the-cheap. I'd be curious to see how that turns out. If you end up experimenting, let us know. BEN

[@marcussiziba1203]

@@GoCreativeShow iphonedo YT channel shows how he did it manually

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@marcussiziba1203 oh nice. I'll check it out. BEN

[@madprophetus]

Dolly Zoom is a hitchcock technique developed for the movie Vertigo - before computers were being used at all to make films. This is a really cool visual effect, but credit goes to the master.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Of course. There will never be another Hitchcock. But i’m happy to see the effect being used in modern day cinematography… and so effectively.. hopefully it will inspire people to re-watch the old classic films. BEN

[@sewerface]

Holy crap. Did you go to film school? Such arcane knowledge! Where would a person discover this obvious and well-known thing? Thank god you brought it to the plebes in the KZbin comments, you absolute legend

[@madprophetus]

@@sewerface Welcome to the party! Only a month late!

[@DaveTexas]

This is exactly what I was thinking. When I was in film school some 35 years ago, I tried very hard to accomplish shots like this. Over and over and over. Moving the camera, zooming in our out, and pulling focus all at the same time. It must be amazing to be able to do this sort of thing so easily with motion control and other computer-aided assistance.

[@crunchygods]

I think the new twist here is just how subtle it is. In Vertigo, it hits you like a train, with is perfect for that scene. But here the whole point is that, without much happening visually, you just get this queasy feeling that the character and their environment have just flipped into a different space.

[@musicmann1967]

Now I know. It's the coolest effect. Very noticeable and subtle at the same time.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Exactly. It's the perfect blend and super effective on this show. Conceptually it just works. Thanks for watching. BEN

[@thisischris8451]

Great interview! I love the rather subtle dolly zooms when switching between innies and outies in this show. For me it's not only about the faces. Going from a longer focal length for the outies to a shorter one for the innies, it also feels like the elevator is warping around them, encircling them, sucking them in. They are being trapped in this world they cannot leave. (Spoiler!) The exact same camera move when it's done outside the elevator has the opposite effect later in the season. Going to a wider angle, thereby revealing more of the background, it kind of opens up the world for the innies. Not sure if that's even how it's intended after watching this, but at least that's how it felt to me.

[@GoCreativeShow]

I love that analysis.. you are totally right. the elevator really is warping around them. Thanks for checking out the clip. BEN

[@billygowhoop]

Shows like Severance and Better Call Saul give me some hope that good storytelling in TV and movies will endure and won't be taken over by Star Wars and superhero crap.

[@GoCreativeShow]

OMG yes I couldn’t agree more. We had the DP from Saul last year and i believe we are getting him again. Two of my favorite shows for sure. Thanks for watching my interview. BEN

[@crunchygods]

This subtle but dramatic shot reminded me of that old warning about why people's noses look bigger in selfies! The wider the lens, the more of a fisheye effect, and all your features look a bit exaggerated. And when the lens gets narrower, your face looks more like it does in the mirror. So clever!

[@GoCreativeShow]

Yea, you are right about that. It also reminds me of those instagram posts I've seen with a close up on someones face as they go through different focal lengths. it's amazing how much of a difference it makes. thanks for watching to the show. BEN

[@chantzgaming]

Wow I figured it was just a change in focal lengths, but this is way more interesting!

[@GoCreativeShow]

Same here. it's much more involved than I thought it was. Such a great effect. Thanks for watching. Ben

[@seantubridy3242]

It is a change in focal lengths. They zoom while dollying. It;s just that they have the computer calculate the zoom while manually dollying.

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@seantubridy3242 It's pretty wild. I love the effect. BEN

[@AndrewCortesi]

Yeah I thought that's how they did it. As others have mentioned in older films it was often used to convey a moment where the character realizes a moment of truth. But I liked how subtle this was. When placed in an elevator, you pretty much only see the character's face shift. Well done.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Agreed. Such a good effect. I loved it. Thanks for watching Ben

[@sewerface]

Thank god you came here to point out you called how it was done. So reassuring that there are still geniuses out there, making informed guesses then telling people about their awesome guessing prowess in the comments

[@NirMaduros]

That's cool! little things that made this show awesome!

[@GoCreativeShow]

It’s the small things! Had you heard of that effect before? I never did but it’s awesome. Ben

[@NirMaduros]

@@GoCreativeShow actually I heard about the technique but never really saw how to do that so it was super cool! Thanks for the awesome interview!

[@Blarnix]

The second I saw that first dolly Zoom I knew this show was amazing. Ben Stiller blew me away.

[@GoCreativeShow]

I feel the same way. He drew me an immediately and I became obsessed. Have you finished the entire series? The ending is so incredible. BEN

[@Blarnix]

@@GoCreativeShow Yes, i rewatched the finale three times.

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@Blarnix HAHA you are obsessed! I love it. BEN

[@ST-ry7lr]

Practical camera effect that has been used for decades.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Yes, but when done extremely well like they did here, it has a strong effect on the viewer. BEN

[@madprophetus]

@@GoCreativeShow It was developed specifically to have an effect on the viewer. Hitchcock pioneered this technique for "Vertigo".

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@madprophetus YES! I know the shot you are talking about. It’s such a great effect. BEN

[@evolv.e]

Excellent cinematography 🎥 Love this show. Kudos to all that make it possible 👏🏻

[@GoCreativeShow]

Thank you very much!

[@bavideomaker29]

Awesome insights. Thanks

[@GoCreativeShow]

I appreciate that Brian. Thanks for watching BEN

[@dinierto]

I like how this video is titled "So that's how they achieved it!" but then doesn't actually explain how they achieved it

[@GoCreativeShow]

I disagree Jonathan, I think she does a good job of explaining it. Did you have any specific questions? Maybe I can get more clarity from her. BEN

[@dinierto]

@@GoCreativeShow naw, I think I understand the technique, as I recall it involves pulling the camera away while zooming in, correct? But this is what was absent from the video, unless I missed it

[@swooga]

The first time I saw it I jumped up and said “that’s the effect from Jaws!”

[@GoCreativeShow]

YES! I think it's just as impactful here too, especially since the space inside the elevator is so small. it has a really cool effect. Ben

[@JoshMc420]

Thank you

[@OccultDemonCassette]

It's a high-tech dolly zoom. Basically the same thing that was done in Jaws.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Yes, but what makes it different here is how the space is much smaller. Unlike the JAWS shot being outdoors, being inside the elevator gives it an even more uneasy feeling. Ben

[@akagamishanks2774]

Do one for the waffle party choreographer, Milchick dance was hands down the most creepy scene in this series.

[@GoCreativeShow]

HAHA yes! that was such an insane scene. BEN

[@llednop]

Creepy? Yeah, but at the same time it made Milchick look like a real human being.

[@GoCreativeShow]

@@llednop agreed. BEN

[@russt9478]

Well to us non photographers and metricly challenged, that made no sense.

[@kidcal]

Wasn’t Stephen Spielberg the one who invented this camera work in his earlier films?

[@GoCreativeShow]

He used something very similar in JAWS. but well before that was Hitchcock's VERTIGO. I'm not sure if it was used before that though. BEN

[@kidcal]

@@GoCreativeShow I remember now the first time I saw it as a kid was in Poltergeist kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHW3loabrrShldk and still remember it to this day. This was used the cleverest way. Can imagine a mum feeling helpless to reach her daughter in time.

[@DenkyManner]

I thought they morphed between two shots.

[@GoCreativeShow]

It looks like it, but no. all one shot. BEN

[@planreview]

Alfred Hitchcock technique

[@GoCreativeShow]

Yes! it's so effective on this show don't you think? Ben

[@inertia186]

So many words to say it's a computer controlled focal length camera move (fancy dolly zoom). Why make it seem more complicated than it is?

[@GoCreativeShow]

Well.. it was a bit complicated. I guess nothing is as easy as it appears. Thanks for your comment and for watching. BEN

[@inertia186]

@@GoCreativeShow Indeed. Thanks for the insight nonetheless.

[@huseyin_erdem]

that's a "Dolly zoom" and in other words "vertigo effect"

[@GoCreativeShow]

Yes exactly. I was so happy she explained it for me,. Apparently it's called a ZOLLY. I love it. Thanks for watching. BEN

[@patton303]

I know absolutely nothing about dolly zooms.

[@GoCreativeShow]

well, hopefully this video gave you some info. thanks for watching. BEN

[@willlowsage9603]

it's a dolly zoom lmao. saved you 3 minutes

[@GoCreativeShow]

Haha. I guess that's true, but there is more info in the video that goes a little deeper.. for those who are camera geeks like me! BEN

[@Chuck_vs._The_Comment_Section]

Did anyone understand that? - I have no clue what she is talking about.

[@GoCreativeShow]

Give it another listen. It’s complicated but it does make sense.

[@comedyfish]

This woman sounds like Elizabeth Holmes

[@GoCreativeShow]

really?

[@xJayhawkFANx]

She looks like she needs to take a nap

[@GoCreativeShow]

Haha. A few have said similar things on here. I didn’t think so at all but it is what it is. Thanks for watching anyway. BEN