The history of film is filled with many interesting details. Memorable steadicam shots are one of them and they are widely recognized. Here are nine examples of proper steadicam shots:
- The Doors (1991):
In this film, steadicam shots are used artistically. The movie depicts movie projections, colourful lighting, drugs, slow music and other details. It is similar to Fellini-style shots, but this time the protagonist is on drugs. The camera also uses variable frame rates and Dutch angles. It helps to depict POV shots of people who experience disorientation.
- Lost Highway (1997):
The film offers very interesting steadicam shots with POV shots of cars while on the highway. The director didn’t use dolly shot or mounted straight camera, because it would’ve been rather bland. Using handheld cameras will also make the film too shaky.
- Donnie Darko (2001):
In this film, steadicam is able to make a simple scene to become memorable and visually interesting. Guy and girl walking into a bar may look like a typical scene, but with steadicam, it became very memorable. When the lead actor walks into the school hallway, the use of steadicam also makes the shot to look cool visually.
- A Beautiful Mind (2001):
Kyle Rudolph masterfully combines steadicam with dynamic shots that varies composition and pace. As a result, the feeling of paranoia felt by the protagonist is properly enhanced. He is a genius with compulsive mindset, with breakdowns in public space. An interesting scene is when the character yells at the camera.
- Amelie (2001):
Jean Pierre Jeunet added plenty of dynamic shots in this movie and he achieved this through proper uses of steadicam. The low-mode steadicam shots ensure visually striking results. The audience gets shots with unique and original flows. The impressive synchronization in scenes when Amelie went after a man proves admirable techniques.
- What Lies Beneath (2000):
Michael Pfeiffer performed well in this thriller and steadicam was used prominently when she walks in bathroom, hallways, living room and the bathroom again. It culminates when the word “You Know” appears on the fogged up mirror. The suspenseful and subtle build up make it hard for us to take our eyes off her.
- Vanilla Sky (2001):
In Vanilla Sky, the best steadicam shot was taken to show when the Times Square is completely empty. It’s a shot that must be taken fast without error. The well-known steadicam expert, Larry McConkey, was involved in this film. We could see Tom Cruise appears with his Porsche and the crane shot shows us the entire location.
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991):
The steadicam shot was used to show the POV of Terminator when he walks naked in a bar. The infra-red images and sensor information were quite amazing at the time.
- In the Valley of Elah (2007):
Steadicam shot in this film can be considered as a dynamic framing, with very original and deceptively simple shots. Some of the shots are quite short, but we could see the cool dynamic and the impressive framing choices.