How to Use The Dutch Angle Shot [Cinematic Techniques in Film] #dutchangle

Aug 24, 2023

How to Use The Dutch Angle Shot [Cinematic Techniques in Film] #dutchangle

Dutch Angle Shot Examples ►► http://bit.ly/2HEw0ZB

A dutch angle or dutch tilt is a great way to signal to your viewer that something in your scene is wrong. That said, many filmmakers have used the dutch angle too much, or in such a thoughtless manner that they left cinematic effectiveness on the table.

Dutch angles were originally created during the film era of German Expressionism, and they are a perfect cinematic tool for jarring a viewer, and signalling trouble, danger, or general unrest within a situation.

Our video breaks down:
When to use a dutch angle
How far to tilt your camera
How level changes affect the shot
AND
Depth of field considerations

We breakdown a scene from Mission Impossible, and show you specific examples of how a dutch angle can elevate your material.

When you finish this video, you will understand everything you need to know about dutch angles and dutch tilts.
The end result: You will be able to effectively use dutch angles in your next project.
#dutchangleshot #dutchtilt #film

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Content

2.3 -> How do you enhance an unsettling moment in your script?

5.6 -> How do you signal that something is wrong?

9.4 -> Today, we're going to break down a scene

11.6 -> from Brian De Palma's "Mission: Impossible"

14.357 -> where he uses a classic cinematic technique

16.818 -> to create an uneasy feeling inside the viewer.

20.9 -> How does he do this?

22.2 -> The Dutch Angle.

27.287 -> A dutch angle is a shot that has a noticeable tilt on the cameras x-axis,

31.696 -> like this.

34.858 -> Or this.

37.235 -> Dutch angle was a camera technique

39.598 -> used by the German expressionists in the early 1900's.

43.407 -> Directors often use a dutch angle

45.7 -> to signal something disorienting, unsettling.

49 -> "Right, right, right,right."

51.7 -> If you want to get a similar feeling across

54.343 -> there are three things you need to do.

57.9 -> Number 1 - Identify the Moment.

61.265 -> Read through your script and find a moment

63.46 -> that is unsettling or wrong.

65.7 -> When you find it,

66.751 -> go to your script breakdown

68.363 -> and add a note at the bottom of the scene.

70.418 -> Is something like "Unsettling Moment - Dutch."

74.145 -> Number 2 - Consider the Moment.

76.9 -> When you go to build your shot list,

79 -> you'll note from the previous step

80.765 -> will remind you that this scene could benefit from a dutch angle.

84.691 -> Number 3.

86.393 -> Enchance the Moment.

89.1 -> This is where we get technical and unpack creative options

92.8 -> you have available to enhance your dutch angles.

95.7 -> These 3 things help you avoid self-indulgent camerawork

99.746 -> that can confuse the viewer.

102.1 -> Otherwise, you'd end up with dutch overdose.

105.514 -> [Laughing]

108.634 -> "Oh, you're too much."

111.2 -> We're going to use StudioBinder`s production software

114.2 -> to build a scene from "Mission: Impossible."

116.6 -> Also, make sure to subscribe below

118.64 -> and click the bell icon to stay in the loop.

121.561 -> Let's jump in.

123.8 -> The first thing you need to do is identify the moment.

128.1 -> When you read through a good script,

129.88 -> you will find a moment where everything changes,

132.273 -> where something big happens.

134.2 -> These are the moments where film techniques come in handy.

137.717 -> De Palma finds a moment here.

141.6 -> In this scene,

142.623 -> our hero Ethan Hunt arrives at a restaurant in Prague.

146.437 -> His entire team has just been murdered,

149.1 -> and he now has to meet with his boss Kitteridge.

153.03 -> Kittredge thinks Ethan just murdered his own team.

156.1 -> Ethan is unaware of this.

158.114 -> "I can't tell you, how sorry I am."

160.3 -> This marks a big shift in the film.

162.3 -> "I know how much Jim, in particular, meant to you, Ethan."

165.8 -> This is the climax of act one

167.724 -> where our hero passes the point of no return.

172.75 -> Short one is a medium close-up on Ethan.

175.803 -> This shot is eye level and a single.

179.6 -> You'll notice that for shot two,

181.607 -> Kittredge is also framed in a medium close-up.

185.73 -> We move onto shot three

187.5 -> where we finally get to see these characters connect for the first time.

191.667 -> De Palma shows us this by switching to a wide profile two shot.

196.203 -> The transition to the wide to shot is motivated

199.1 -> because it allows us to see Kittredge past the documents to Ethan.

203.2 -> But we also gain this slightly disarming moment.

206.683 -> Kitteridge leans forward,

208.419 -> but he stays forward

209.823 -> which adds an imposing contrast to Ethan's slumped depowered form.

215.2 -> We continue to cut from shot one back to shot two,

218.6 -> until Ethan asks.

220.819 -> "-Why was there another team?

223.6 -> -What?

225.9 -> -Of IMF agents. At the Embassy. Tonight."

228.568 -> When Kittredge lies to him.

230.417 -> "-I don't quite follow you."

232.865 -> This is where we see our dutch angle.

238.002 -> This is the moment.

239.899 -> The moment where something is wrong.

242.2 -> And the visuals change.

245.597 -> De Palma knows that a Dutch angle rocks the viewers equilibrium.

249.895 -> It makes us feel uneasy.

253.9 -> Kittridge has also brought a second team of IMF agents to the meeting.

257.9 -> Their identities are only brought to our attention,

260.7 -> once Ethan points them out.

262.4 -> "-Let's see if you can follow me around this room.

264.9 -> The drunk Russians on the embankment at 7 and 8 o'clock.

269.7 -> The couple waltzing around me at the Embassy at 9 and 11.

273.1 -> The waiter standing behind Hannah at the top of the stairs.

276 -> Bowtie 12 o'clock.

277.726 -> The other IMF team.

280.6 -> You're worried about me.

283.014 -> -That's right."

285.2 -> De Palma uses two different dutch angles

287.05 -> for shot four and shot five.

292.2 -> De Palma uses different camera levels

294.418 -> for each of his dutch angles in the scene.

297.356 -> Shot four on Ethan is closer to eye line

300.469 -> so we can still empathize.

303.315 -> But shot 5 on Kittredge

305.1 -> is an extremely low angle,

306.688 -> to distance us and showcases villainy.

312.975 -> The dutch angles De Palma used in the scene

315.929 -> have a very shallow depth of field.

317.928 -> "It`s correct."

319.1 -> The shallow depth of field

320.932 -> makes an already unsettling shot become somewhat claustrophobic,

325.334 -> as the world drifts away,

327 -> and the tension is ratcheted.

328.684 -> "You're want shake hands with the devil, that`s fine with me,

331.446 -> I'm just want to make sure you do it in hell."

341.5 -> The reason dutch angles work, so well in this scene,

345.5 -> is because they preceded by shots with standard composition.

349.138 -> Switching from normal to extreme framing

351.361 -> creates an even larger shift within the scene.

354.3 -> And we see this transition play out in real-time.

360.54 -> Let's recap.

361.795 -> Before you decide to use a dutch angle,

364.174 -> remember to identify the moments

366.5 -> during your script breakdown.

369.198 -> Consider the moments while you create your shot list and storyboard

372.8 -> and enhance the moment with camera techniques and cinematic language.

377 -> There are a few things you can do to enhance the shot.

379.997 -> First, the degree of your tilt.

382.607 -> The more you tilt, the more unsettling your shot becomes.

386.6 -> Another thing to keep in mind is

388.604 -> the camera level of your shot.

390.652 -> A dutch tilt placed at a low angle

392.87 -> will evoke a different feeling from one place that eye level.

396.8 -> Also, don't forget about the focal length of your lens.

400.946 -> Using a wide-angle lens will generate a different look and feel

404.525 -> when compared to standard or long lens.

407.35 -> Lastly, keep in mind your depth of field.

412.2 -> Identify. Consider. Enhance.

416.551 -> What are your favorite examples of the dutch angle?

419.2 -> How did the director use them to elevate the material?

422.432 -> Tell us in the comments.

424.2 -> Do you have a big plot shift or revelation, like Ethan's in your project?

428.39 -> If so, you'll want to call it out

430.293 -> when you create script breakdown.

433.138 -> Check the description to sign up for StudioBinder.

436.1 -> It's free to get started.

437.919 -> "Is it all right?

438.852 -> Well, I guess you're about ready aren`t you?"

441.1 -> Subscribe to our channel below.

443.765 -> Click the bell icon for notifications.

446.275 -> And follow us on our Instagram page.

449.9 -> This message will self-destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9FUEScjB1U