Why Zooming In Movies Isn’t as Popular as You Might Think

We zoomin'.
A huge thanks to Laowa for lending me their brilliant Ranger Super 35 lens range for this video. If you'd liked to know more about the range, follow the link below:
laowacine.com/...
Movie/Video/TV List (in order of appearance):
iPhone vs Android - hometownkid713
FRESHAVOCADO - Gasoleeen
Dan, stop. - Unknown
Mr Bubz - misterbubz
The Office (2005-2013) - S04E11 (Survivor Man)
It (1927)
The Making of "Oppenheimer" (2023)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The Holdovers - B-Roll
Casino (1995)
Munich (2005)
David Fincher on Directing "The Killer" (2023)
The Shining (1980)
A Clockwork Orange (1972)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Django Unchained (2012)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The Office (2005-2013) - S0601 (Gossip)
Arrested Development (2003 - 2019) - S02E16 (Meet the Veals)
Succession (2018-2023) - S02E03 (Hunting)
Transformers (2007)
Zodiac (2007)
Die Hard (1988)
The Office (2005-2013) - S0321 (Product Recall)
The Conjuring (2013)
Munich (2005)
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Jaws (1975)
Vertigo (1958)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Me, Myself and Irene (2000)
Quiz Show (1994)
Godzilla (1998)
Track List (in order of appearance):
My Baby Just Cares for Me - Nina Simone
Anxious - Evan Hutchings
Lonely for You Baby - Sam Dees
Jumping’ Boogie Boogie - Audionautix - Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. creativecommon...
Artist: audionautix.com/
My Twitter: / thepaulice

[@paul_et]

Yes, I’m alive. It’s good to be back! Hope everyone’s been well :) Thanks a bunch to Laowa for making this video possible, too. If you wanna know more: laowacine.com/product/laowa-ranger-s35-compact-cine-zoom-series

[@nechemiahseltzer]

We got worried there...

[@anassright5342]

Brilliant paul

[@SherrieLujan]

Fantastic, a true masterwork!🥳

[@SuperLocrian]

I'll be spreading this video to anyone and everyone that I can, just like the amazing (mind-blowing) essay you made on the Focus Puller. Thanks again!

[@lucaderighetti7653]

It’s insane how amazing editing and great storytelling can even make a “simple” video about zooming so freaking enjoyable

[@L5GUK]

The Dolly Zoom (or Simultaneous Track and Zoom as I was originally and boringly taught it) is my favourite things to see in a film. They're pretty rare, but somehow always perfectly punctuate a character's emotion in that moment. For me the iconic use is in Jaws. Always a treat to see.

[@jwider96]

I love them too, and when ever I see one I try to figure out what direction the movement is going but they're usually so fast and I'm just stunned by effect

[@AlexBoucher]

I love the way Yorgos Lanthimos uses zooms. Since zooms can signify something is important. The camera will slowly zoom in on the most mundane thing and it's the most uncomfortable feeling because we don't know why tf that thing is important. Beautifully crafted video as always Paul!

[@davidci]

Poor Alan the bobblehead, now left to question his own existence

[@Ash-pr2ws]

What a time to be alive.

[@MakeSomething]

That was far more than passable. Well executed dolly zoom!

[@CalebCarterFilm]

The moment this was uploaded I knew I couldn't just watch on my phone, but I got out my laptop and headphones. 😅 Thats the quality of Paul ET Videos.

[@tessiepinkman]

YES! HE'S BACK! And, I personally love a great zoom in a movie. A great dolly zoom even more! But if they are used "wrong" or just executed badly, they can really take you out of the experience.

[@akashmlkr]

This is a f**king great ad integration and video as a whole! Glad I found your channel!

[@LoneBerseker]

Absolute legend 🙏 What a joy to watch

[@ArcanePath360]

Fascinating. I used the dolly zoom with autofocus on a photography lens and didn't have that many problems. But yeah, it does take practice and several attempts before you are happy with it. And it's never going to be as good as a proper cinema shot running on a huge track.

[@NEXUSXDRX]

Let’s gooooo future producers1!1!1!1

[@filmwright7188]

i think you are the only channel since every frame a painting that actually makes interesting and good videos about films, as a filmmaker i wish there were more of you. I'm sick of boring video essay that don't actually have anything to say.

[@paul_et]

That's very nice of you to say

[@PeterKae]

Always in love with your videos! Can't wait for the next one Paul.

[@UltraCodex66]

The zoom at the start of Fury Road hits the nail on its head really well

[@andrew__s]

Amazing production as usual. It's so appreciated how well you integrate the educational aspects of these videos while keeping them engaging for those who are familiar with the concepts already.

[@vincenttavani6380]

3:00 I think Jordan Peele is proof that horror and comedy are actually pretty closely tied.

[@moviesmadebymike]

Another bangah bro! Proud to be part of your community. Always pulling out some of the most educational videos while also being hella entertaining.

[@Bishop134265]

Hats off for telling everyone how hard it is to pull off the dolly zoom. It is much harder than it looks, and with a bigger set up requires much more dolly track then you think at first. You assume it can be done with like 8 feet of dolly track, but you end up needing closer to 16-20 feet to make it even look half passable.

[@matz4k]

Behold! Paul dropped another banger video! Your style is just immaculate, worth waiting.

[@MaxLenormand]

Glad to see you back, this was a great one! I can’t get enough of seeing you try to recreate effects, between this one and the RC car chase

[@williamsullivan3967]

My man Paul doesn’t miss. Thanks for this!!!

[@themp3filesproductions700]

Your content makes us all so happy! Thank you

[@piotrekzprod]

Awesome content and great analysis!!!

[@literala2919]

The legend is back!

[@ore_father]

Good stuff, concise, informative and entertaining. Glad to have ya back!

[@GeorgeGraves]

"Zooms look cheap" - now - someone explain to me how (and this happens in all sorts of things - not just filmmaking) why people insictivly prefer the more expensive, the more labor intensive option almost without fault - and without even knowing what goes into it. Same with something like - off the top of my head - a kitchen countertop. Or clothing. Or a dozen other things.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

What a nice treat to see a video from you!

[@SuperLocrian]

Thank you! Happy to see you.

[@HideyoshiR]

I'll never forget the zoom shots in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - some of the most effectively terrifying use I have seen

[@JaredVeale]

4:20 nice focus pull there - Thanks for teaching me that one Paul ;)

[@alsifjlasieflooo]

Always lovely to watch your videos :)

[@FatBowels]

Glad to see you back

[@benjaminbjrklund743]

why did i find this channel first now... great work!

[@TheFilmmakersWorkshop]

Beautifully made and explained. TQ

[@realbadger]

My brother and I jokingly refer to the dolly zoom as "the evil scary lens push." I'm surprised you didn't use the _Poltergeist_ hallway as one of the clip examples...

[@junaidbabar8446]

Thanks for Dolly Zoom. I was always wandering about this kind of shots.

[@triumph3D]

My favorite KZbinr just uploaded 🎉

[@baxslatton]

Flawless as always😭😭

[@LarsGoldbachDP]

I FREAKIN LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!!

[@Gnomable]

I love a dolly doom cause it's always so intense. Great job on that final shot!

[@lucafraga95]

A masterpiece based on masterpieces. Some would say a meta-masterpiece.

[@TheStarBlack]

I think the awkward little zooms are used in The Office because its supposed to look like a fly on the wall documentary. Also best dolly zoom I've ever seen is La Haine overlooking the city, its incredible.

[@artemmentiy7107]

Another masterpiece!

[@H0LMES7777]

waited for this, loved it

[@hoppityyy]

lets go, another upload

[@matthewphillips9083]

Did the full Leo from Once Upon a Time meme when I saw the B-roll filmed in Adelaide of Lot Fourteen!! I didn't realise you were from the city of churches ahaha

[@iAmeerhamza.]

I wait for these vids wholeheartedly

[@StoryDrivenFilmmaking]

Excellent video.

[@aschobert]

Great examples. Yours as well

[@Moaz_Al-Najjar]

this is a good video! well made man as always!

[@sumit2658]

GORGEOUS Work

[@letrovoes]

the notification I've been waiting for so long 😍

[@jayfirmin662]

Bold of you to assume my eyes can’t zoom 👀

[@EricRossReel]

Real slick motion gfx in this one

[@SgtHamster]

Another stella video. Pure class.

[@csm101000]

Mr bean has the best dolly zoom

[@DarkSentinel52]

zoomin scenes in limitless look great

[@adytm]

I woke up to a banger, thanks Paul

[@rohanldo]

5 months wait and we get this..

[@rohanldo]

Another Masterpiece ❤

[@hazel-vf7on]

Zero hesitation in my click on that title, Paul is a masterpiece.

[@pieceofshot-ur]

It's always worth it I never stop telling my mates about this KZbinr that drops videos like twice a year but it's always a banger!!!

[@Pax.YouTube]

Another masterpiece. Yes.

[@jsmith434w]

5 months.... wait and we.... get.... this....

[@SandwichQuotes]

incredibly well done

[@tronjos]

The only bad thing is that we get one video every 5 months........YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT!!!!!

[@Purple_Stud]

2:56 you just reminded me of my trauma that I got for searching up the "meaning behind the bear costume guy on the shining" would not recommend going too deep into film analysis and just enjoying your interpretation of the film

[@Callie_Cosmo]

The line between comedy and horror is much thinner than either genre is comfortable with

[@craigleverenz]

Wait... I recognise that Rundle St sign... You're in Adelaide!

[@TheTuttle99]

Well done on the dolly zoom 😊

[@LegoHeadProductionsAZ]

Just got back from The Phantom Menace after noticing some zooms in that movie and then I see this

[@AFworld9]

I love this vid so much

[@PierreAlainMaire]

Just film in 12k, zoom in post and release in FullHD 😛 thank you for coming back and giving us that video. Shouldn't it be called Dolly Zoom'n'focus ?

[@andrewwilliams5337]

i think focus is always implied, otherwise you'd be adding it to all shot names.

[@WaveSamu]

great Video!

[@j.b.7133]

2:05 good god that brought me back and killed me haha

[@FlymanMS]

Edgar Wright used crash zoom to build momentum? Are you sure he wasn’t just parodying the infamous Commando “Gear Up” scene in the shots you provided?

[@paul_et]

For sure. But he’s certainly made it his own now.

[@Caleb6000]

I just watched that scene and to try and equate Wright's whole style to a parody of that scene is actually kind of moronic. Sorry.

[@TheIreneEmpire]

that was fun to watch 😀

[@mattk2740]

Fun tip: you can give the Dolly Zoom a try on your phone pretty easily. Just slowly walk toward your subject as you pinch zoom out. Give it a try!

[@C.I...]

The opportunity for crash zooms is why I've got a Blackagic Production Camera 4K. Global shutter for ~£500, at the cost of your sanity getting it to produce nice images. Now I've learned its quirks, though, well worth it!

[@shirocraban3978]

Our boy is sponsored by Laowaaaaaa!!

[@ezy.doesit]

i was missing your videos :D

[@Mrfolder]

Absolutely amazing video but I'm surprised you didn't mention ocean's 11 or the other movies in that franchise.

[@David-gs3ud]

I disagree with the premise that zooms aren’t often found in cinema. That may be true… if you don’t consider animation cinema. Dollies don’t really exist, so zooms are often a more stylistic means to alter the framing without a boring cut.

[@yonatanchapal7800]

Yoooo he’s back!!!!!

[@Waterlinestudios]

What camera did you use For the demonstration?

[@Dysiode]

Wonderful

[@Sentoriika]

Banger vid

[@fdezalvaro]

Fantastic video, as usual. Can't all the movements involved in a dolly zoom be automated nowadays? like, with a state of the art camera equipment...

[@PseudoEmpathy]

Oh shit! First 1000 baby!

[@SPCoste]

Another Paul ET banger

[@amazanta1605]

Bruddas returned

[@Billy_Dali]

amazing

[@rus.t]

Babe, wake up. Paul just uploaded and I need to write a very original and not overused comment.

[@wowanothercookie]

I think you wrote a very original and not overused comment.

[@kaustubhmagar]

where have you been mate? love the video

[@paul_et]

It’s been an interesting few months... But I’ve got a bunch of videos in the works now, so it won’t be another 5 month wait, I promise!

[@yourdramaluv17]

Bro is alive

[@andrewwilliams5337]

Would dolly in-zoom in or dolly out-zoom out work/ have any positive effect on a shot?

[@dreaming_aloe_hh_official]

5:19 OH THAT’S HOW IT’S CALLED

[@NORKIE]

IDEA! have a laser set to the distance of the track, have a stop at each end for it to read, set up a digital motor to zoom, focus and do many other things because it would need to be modular and have the functions set to work at any distance, even varying ones because you can have the zoom set at 10 and the focus constant throughout. if i had the time, know how and money to do this i would, my guess is that someone far smarter than me already has.

[@emanuelparedes]

Hey Paul, do you have any list of recommended/must watch movies?

[@aze4308]

1:20 nice transition

[@Ten_Thousand_Locusts]

I wish you'd showed the difference between zooming in and dollying out and vice versa. Other than that great video!

[@wingyung976]

What about the Shaw Brothers martial arts zoom? Classics

[@cine.magnet]

can you do the same thing digitally? I often do that when I'm trying to film something smoothly so I digitally track the center and digitally zoom to remove the black bars.

[@Secondhandmoviespodcast]

You can zoom digitally but the perspective shift will not occur since there is no physical change in the lens so it would not have the same feel as a lens zooming.