Cinematographer Lewis Potts brings us through his methods in creating an indoor scene, as well as the rest of the commercial he shot. However, there’s something in particular worth sharing.
I think Potts’ cinematography channel has plenty of useful insights. In addition, this video is a great example of using a dolly on location. Potts uses it for multiple shots and angles. Squeezing more out of a dolly helps justify setting one up on location. It's not a cheap option, though, and a recce may be needed in order to be sure a dolly will fit.
For example, jibs and cranes can't stay completely in line with a subject while tilting up (see diagram below). A dolly with an extension arm is a much better idea. A jib will only work if you’re looking for a panning or static overhead shot.
A jib isn't useful for top down shots, because the subject will not remain directly under the camera.
In addition to that, having a dolly (and operator) on set can save so many headaches. It’s smoother and more predictable than a gimbal or Steadicam, which makes the focus pullers' job a lot easier, which, in turn, means that takes are more likely to go smoothly. Chapman Leonard and J.L.Fisher are popular, high-end, brands.
Unfortunately, the price of renting a dolly isn’t cheap. Expect to pay about $500 per day. If you're wondering how a jib might work on tracks, Potts has another example on his channel too.
