What is a Dutch angle shot and how does it shift perspective?
The Dutch angle shot creates tension and unease with a simple camera shift. Learn how and when to use this dramatic technique to influence the tone of your scene.
Turn heads with the Dutch tilt.
The Dutch angle shot is a great tool for building tension and suspense — and creating chaos and confusion. The sideways perspective matches the energy of the off-kilter character or environment in a scene.
What is a Dutch angle shot?
A Dutch angle shot, also known as the Dutch tilt or candid angle, is a camera shot where the camera is tilted on its x-axis, making the horizontal and vertical lines in the frame appear angled. It’s typically used in film to create tension or unease, often showcasing a character’s mental instability or the unnerving feeling of the scene.
The 1949 film The Third Man extensively uses Dutch angle shots to highlight the main character feeling out of place in a foreign environment. The film, which takes place in post-war Vienna, uses tilted angles along with other cinematic techniques, such as wide-angle lens distortions and very close-up shots, to contribute to the feeling of suspense to match the character’s discomfort and the overall tone of the film.
Unlike a basic tilt shot, the Dutch angle shot gives a sense that something is off with a character or within the scene. A general tilt shot, on the other hand, discloses information and can create a dramatic effect with the camera turned vertically up or down. Traditional axis framing, in contrast, keeps a consistent spatial perspective between characters and objects by holding the camera on one side of an imaginary line, also known as the axis of action.
Camera angles in film are a major contributor to understanding a character’s emotional state and overall feeling of a scene. Dutch angles show up in many suspenseful films.
Popular genres where the Dutch angle shows up.
The Dutch angle brings a distorted point of view for a sense of unease in a suspenseful or sometimes comedic way. The following are some common genres in filmmaking where you may see this angle used:
- Thrillers and psychological dramas. In these two film genres, the Dutch camera angle is an effective tool for conveying the mental instability and unease of the characters, building suspense for the audience while leaving them feeling on edge.
- Horror. Tilted framing conveys the internal terror that characters face in this genre and can create a sense of fear and impending doom.
- Comedy. The Dutch angle can be used in a humorous or surreal way to show the strange nature of a scene by creating a sense of instability.
- Science fiction. In science fiction films, this angle can portray the feeling of being in a futuristic or unfamiliar environment.
Shooting with a Dutch angle gives the viewer an intimate window into your characters’ minds. Using it, along with other shots like the over-the-shoulder shot or a close-up, can give your audience a full picture of who your characters are and how they exist in their environment.
What the Dutch camera angle is used to convey.
The unconventional point of view of the Dutch angle immediately draws the viewer in and invites them to see what happens next. This angle amplifies internal feelings and adds to the chaos of certain scenes. Some of the reasons that filmmakers may choose to use this angle include:
- Indicating imbalance. The tilt portrays the instability or unpredictability of the environment a character is in.
- Expressing internal conflict. A slanted angle can suggest the internal turmoil happening in a character’s mind.
- Showing psychological unease. Looking from an unusual angle can make the viewer feel discomforted and tense along with the film character.
The following are examples of Dutch angle scenarios most commonly used in film:
- Dream sequences. The sense of disorientation or a surreal scene is heightened with this angle and can blur the lines between reality and fantasy. A great example is Christopher Nolan’s Inception when the characters experience various dream sequences. In addition, the film uses high angle shots to show environments falling apart and the characters as small and insignificant in the scheme of their dream worlds.
- Moments of tension. Something feels off when this angle is used, building suspense for the audience. As the Shutter Island protagonist watches reality unfold, the Dutch camera angle is used to allow the viewers to feel the same discomfort.
- Chaotic scenes. Fast-paced, high-stakes moments work well with the unconventional tilt of the Dutch angle. To depict the conflict and family turmoil in Asgard, this angle is used to highlight the changing power dynamics in the Marvel superhero film Thor.
- Instances of instability. When a character is mentally unstable, the camera quickly lets the audience know. Black Swan tilts the camera to show Nina’s mental instability as she becomes more paranoid. Further enhancing the feelings of paranoia, low angle shots are used to emphasize the pressure Nina is facing.
While adding in different angle types can keep your audience engaged, it’s good to include some eye level shots for a neutral perspective, as the entire film can’t be all suspense and thrill.
Famous Dutch angle examples in film.
If you want to raise the stakes, build suspense, or show general chaos, the Dutch angle will turn (or tilt) heads. The following famous examples can help inspire you to choose where to use this angle in your film:
- Citizen Kane. In the iconic “campaign promises” scene, the Dutch angle is used to show corrupt politician Charles Kane’s mental complexity and dishonesty.
- Mission: Impossible. The restaurant scene where Ethan Hunt realizes he’s a target uses the Dutch angle to highlight excitement and tension.
- The Matrix. After Neo is taken by the agents and interrogated, the camera tilts slightly during the conversation to show him feeling trapped and unfamiliar with his surroundings.
How to approach the Dutch angle shot.
Now that you have some practical examples to guide you, it’s time to add the iconic angle to your film.
Before shooting, determine the tone or emotion you want to communicate — tension, instability, confusion, chaos, or something else. Think about whether or not the scene would be enhanced by the tilt or if it would distract from the story.
If the Dutch angle is a good fit for your next scene, you can use the following steps to set up and shoot the Dutch angle:
1. Choose if you want to use a tripod or go the handheld route.
- Using a tripod creates more fluid movement and maintains a stable tilt.
- For a more chaotic effect, going without a tripod can match the mood of jarring scenes.
2. Start with your camera set up at eye level. Then, choose either a wide angle, close-up, or a medium shot.
3. Tilt the camera 15–25 degrees for a noticeable angle.
- For a more jarring situation, try using a steeper angle. Position your camera in a way that misaligns vertical lines such as buildings, walls, or doorways with the frame.
4. Find the degree of tilt that best fits your scene by experimenting with different angles.
5. Watch your footage and readjust as needed.
Experiment with tilts and Dutch angle shots in post-production.
It’s great to capture the Dutch angle while filming, but if you see a place where it may fit post-video production, you can still shift the perspective. Add it in Adobe Premiere Pro using these steps:
- Click the video clip in the timeline to select it.
- In the Effect Controls panel, locate the Motion section. Adjust the Rotation value to +15 or -15 degrees. From there, increase if you want more of a tilt.
- Increase the scale value to avoid black triangles in the corners of your frame.
- Use the position settings to centralize the subject in the frame.
- Review the scene, then click File > Export > Media to save and export your work.
Add tension and style with Dutch angles in Premiere Pro.
Engaging your audience by building suspense or displaying disorientation is only 15 degrees away. Tilt your footage with Adobe {{premiere-pro}} and use precise scaling and rotation options to create fear, confusion, or chaos in a snap.t
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