Check this scene out from Skyfall:
Pretty cool stuff, huh? It’s got all those great Bond hallmarks. Machine guns, car chases, a dapper gent knee deep in the complex world of governmental espionage. And that pan at the end of the clip. It’s so unexpected and it adds a big finish to an already dramatic scene.
Let’s watch another. Check out this one from AMC’s The Walking Dead:
Again, notice how the camera pans up-up-and-away as Rick rides into Atlanta? It increases the tension of the scene and underscores how lonely Rick is in the Atlanta wasteland.
We call this technique The Crane Shot. And they’re one of the most recognizable angles in cinema.
Recognizable shots
Crane shots are created by a camera-mounted platform which is connected to a mechanical arm and controlled by a camera operator. As a result the camera can be lifted up, brought down, and moved side-to-side.
And they have way more applications than just landscapes. For SNL, the crane shot is pretty much as important as Darrell Hammond’s announcements. Towards the beginning of every show, SNL cuts to a big crane shot of the audience. It lets the viewer know this is live and the stakes are high.
Check it out for yourself, (time code: 1:48):
Reach for the skies
At ECG, we will help you create these kinds of epic sweeping scenes. We not only have access to cranes, but we also have incredible gear lockers with monitors, cameras, and lighting accessories that we can use for your project.
With a crane at your disposal, the sky is literally the limit for what you can film. Cranes open the door to shot types you previously only conjured in your wildest dreams. Imagine a shot that starts by skimming blades of grass and ends just above the treeline. Cranes make the most complex shots imaginable totally manageable. What’s more, these complex shots are useful tools in conveying a mood or tone in your spot. Super high-up extreme wide shots establish the immensity of a scene; crane shots that start high and end low underscore a character’s humbling moment; and the list goes on. In short, crane shots are pretty rad!
Of course, all this super dope technology doesn’t really work without someone reliable to use it. Crane operators make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. They are up-to-date on new technology and are field-tested to make sure the operators get it right. Which is pretty important. Especially if you have a high-budget actor on set for a four-hour commitment.
The bottom line
Every project has its own budget constraints. And there’s more than one way to get the crane shot effect. Shooting inside a busy, congested factory with zero room for crane clearance? No worries we can hook up a scissor lift and hoist an operator in to the air. Are you shooting in the muddy woods and don’t have the flat surface for a crane? We’ll set you up with a telescopic boom lift.
At ECG, there’s no job we can’t handle. We’re kind of the James Bond of movie making. Or something.
Let’s get your story done right. Call or email ECG today!
