{"id":97768,"date":"2018-01-02T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=97768"},"modified":"2017-12-18T15:23:26","modified_gmt":"2017-12-18T21:23:26","slug":"7-diy-filmmaking-techniques-wheelchair-dolly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/7-diy-filmmaking-techniques-wheelchair-dolly\/","title":{"rendered":"7 DIY Filmmaking Techniques Using the Versatile Wheelchair Dolly"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0wheelchair dolly is a tried-and-true DIY\u00a0tool \u2014 for projects of all sizes. Check out these 7 tips on how to use one to improve your film.<\/h2>\n

Cover Image of Jean-Luc Godard on the set of <\/em>Breathless<\/a> (via Studio Canal<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

There are plenty of dolly options available<\/a> for filmmakers at all levels of production.\u00a0Even for those looking for DIY options\u00a0can find tons of great resources to put something together on the cheap<\/a>. However, if you’re looking for one simple solution (which can actually be much more versatile and fun), consider the indie-filmmaker’s favorite \u2014 the wheelchair dolly.<\/p>\n

While there are some wheelchair-style dollies\u00a0specifically for filmmaking (all great options<\/a>), let’s focus on using\u00a0a standard-issue wheelchair, which you can often find secondhand at thrift stores or online (here’s a link to Ebay<\/a>). Once you’re all set, here are seven creative ways to put your DIY wheelchair dolly to use.<\/p>\n

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1. Push or Pull<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via\u00a0AMC<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics. Using a wheelchair dolly is great for pushing in or pulling out shots. You\u2019ll usually see these types of shots in large-scale productions, as they\u00a0both see a lot of use for narrative effect (creating important moments) or for clarity of composition.\u00a0<\/span>If you keep the movement short and straight, the wheelchair will work very much like your standard track-dolly setup, but without all the assembly and breakdown.<\/p>\n

Bonus Tip: if you’re shooting solo or with an extremely small crew, you can always sit yourself in a wheelchair and do some short push or pull movements using only your feet. Try it \u2014 even a few inches can add style and depth to what would normally be a regular set shot.<\/em><\/p>\n

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2. Walk and Talks<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image from <\/em>The West Wing<\/a> via NBC<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Along with straightforward push and pull shots for dramatic effect, a wheelchair is a great option for long tracking shots like the now-recognizable Aaron Sorkin-style Walk and Talk<\/a> shot (which you can see\u00a0parodied here<\/a>). The wheelchair is great because your camera operator\u00a0can face your subject or subjects while\u00a0someone pulls them backward.<\/p>\n

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3. Tracking Low Angles<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via Tumblr<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The\u00a0flexibility a wheelchair offers to the camera operator while sitting is also great.\u00a0You usually\u00a0won’t\u00a0need to lock the camera operator in, and they’ll have almost a full range of motion from the seat. As such, to get many low-angle tracking shots, you don’t need to assemble a tricky low-to-the-the floor dolly setup; you can simply direct your camera op to lean over and hold the camera at a low angle. This may make things a little less steady, but for shorter moves (and with surer-handed ops), it’s a solid technique.<\/p>\n

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4. Curved Tracking Moves<\/h3>\n

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Another aspect of the wheelchair dolly\u00a0that makes it unique is the simple fact that it is not bound to\u00a0a set of tracks. The wheelchair, by its nature, is more mobile and can perform complex and curved maneuvers. Try laying some track to\u00a0recreate this famous circle move from\u00a0Jean-Luc Godard’s French New Wave classic Breathless<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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5. Extremely Long Tracking Shots<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image\u00a0via\u00a0monnomestdavid<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Similar to the Walk and Talk trick, using a wheelchair dolly for extremely long tracking shots is a great way to consolidate resources on DIY productions. The wheelchair can be quite effective, even with only a two-person crew: one to sit and one to\u00a0move the wheelchair around. If you’re going over long distances, try\u00a0situating your camera operator in a more relaxed and flexible position (they can\u00a0also use a Steadicam or some other stabilizer). Be careful, though, with different floor textures (like thick carpet),\u00a0thresholds between doorways, etc.<\/p>\n

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6. Dolly Zooms<\/h3>\n