CAMERA-SHIFT TECHNIQUE

Whilst discussing the variety of camera and editing techniques we could use for the 'dream' sequences in our final film 'Home Away From Here', myself and Luke referred to the technique used in 'Bring Me The Horizon's' music video Shadow Moses. 

We felt the idea of a two-camera set-up would be an effective technique to use in our film. It would clearly help differentiate the present from the past, giving the audience a dreamy, 'trippy' and perhaps nauseating effect.

The video below best demonstrates this technique.

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k9qDxyxS3s&feature=kp (Last accessed 01/03/14)

How to achieve this technique requires two (or more) cameras on the same rig, aligned next to one another at a slightly different angle, with the same focal point. During the edit you switch between the two cameras to create the effect.

"There's a lot of technical work connected with this technique this but probably the hardest part is to track the focal point in the post-production as in most of the shots the camera or/and the actors are in movement and there's a new focal point every frame."

http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2011/09/02/mint-julep-aviary-nice-idea-every-day (Last accessed 01/03/14)

After looking into this technique further independently, I looked at more videos containing the same technique (shown below)

Mint Julep »To The Sea« from A NICE IDEA EVERY DAY on Vimeo.
(Last accessed 01/03/14)



Mint Julep »Aviary« from A NICE IDEA EVERY DAY on Vimeo.
(Last accessed 01/03/14)


After researching more into the camera shift technique I discovered that this signature technique is Berlin based duo A Nice Idea Every Day's work. They apply this technique to a lot of their work and are well-known for creating music videos.

http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2013/01/30/bring-me-horizon-shadow-moses-nice-idea-every-day (Last accessed 01/03/14)

I particularly enjoy this shot, as the house/exterior shown on the left is the sort of image I envision for our piece when James looks out of the window.

If we choose to do this effect, we may also be placing an old laptop screen over the camera lens to achieve a blurry, distorted, discoloured effect. I believe this will reduce the amount of after-effects I have to add-on to each 'dream shot' during post-production, as the initial result looks striking.

The video to the left demonstrates this effect using a translucent material to create a warped effect.

Colour, washed out effects and vignette will be added during the edit to finish off the dream effect.