Trombone Shot Experiment

In this lesson, we set up a camera on a dolly to experiment with trombone shots.

First, we set up the track. This consisted of slotting the track together so that the camera could move backwards and forwards easily. 

Next, we put the dolly on the track and placed the tripod on the dolly. 

We then set up the camera on the tripod and began filming. 

After the equipment was set up, we created a background of people so that the effect of the shot would be easier to see. We put a subject a few feet in front of the background and moved the dolly backwards. When we were ready, we moved the dolly towards the subject and zoomed out. We repeated the process when we were moving the dolly backwards again, but this time we zoomed in. This created the Trombone Shot. 

The Trombone Shot could be used to create fear, confusion and an illusion of distance.

Here is a clip from the movie 'Jaws'. An example of a Trombone Shot is at 2:00. 

Here is a clip, from my class, where we used the Trombone Shot.