Dutch Angles Explained

A Dutch angle is one of those filmmaking techniques that almost every student of film will come across in their studies. Whether you see one in your favorite art-house film or you used one on your first student film, there is definitely a time and place for them. That is why we at Render Perfect Productions, your video marketing experts in Baltimore, Maryland, wanted to take today to showcase Dutch angles, explained and how you can use them most effectively.

What is a Dutch Angle?

The Dutch Angle, also known as the “Dutch Tilt,” is a cinematographic technique wherein the camera is positioned at an angle that helps convey a sense of psychological trauma, emotion (usually negative), and tension. The goal of the Dutch Angle to is to elicit similar emotions in the viewer.

The angle can be described as being horizontal to the bottom of the shot’s frame. It is much easier to convey a greater level of tension and emotions by leveraging a larger perpendicular angle. Of course, the Dutch Angle hasn’t stayed the same over the years. Several variations have popped up. For instance, some cinematographers pan the camera while maintaining the Dutch Angle.

As stated earlier, the key goal here is to produce an emotional impact. The angle of a certain shot can help directors convey a range of emotions that are in line with the content being presented on screen. The Dutch Angle has specifically been useful for conveying fear, suspense, mental imbalance, panic, a sense of impending doom, etc.

The technique was first used by Dziga Vertov, in his film ‘Man with the Movie Camera.’ The Dutch Angle became quite popular with the German Expressionist cinema movement and was used liberally in films of that genre. It was used to convey a sense of disorientation, insanity, and discomfort, etc. Originally, the technique involved changing the angle with each shot. However, as filmmaking developed, the techniques strengthened, too.

How to Use a Dutch Angle

Now, one thing you need to know about the Dutch Angle is that it is obviously noticeable on screen. It’s not the subtlest of camera angles. So, there is the possibility of overusing the technique, which can either confuse viewers or make things look overdramatic.

As stated earlier, you want the various elements of the film, such as the acting, writing, and of course, the camerawork to carry the plot. You want nothing to “steal the show.” However, misusing the Dutch Angle can lead exactly.

Let’s look at a few examples to learn what’s ideal and what isn’t.

To begin with, let’s look at Thor. Thor is supposed to highlight a magical or heavenly realm. However, the movie didn’t achieve that because it ended up overusing the Dutch Angle. This watered down all the tension and caused a lot of confusion.

Danny Boyle is a filmmaker who knows how to play with the Dutch Angle. His use of the technique elicits the exact reaction from viewers that he intends. For instance, we’re sure you had a hard time going hiking after watching 127 hours.

In fact, you could even blame him for overusing the Dutch Angle. However, it is how he uses them that makes his movies and camera work stand out. This makes Boyle a unique filmmaker.

To conclude, Dutch Angles are excellent tools. They can help your film stand out from everything else, but a certain balance is necessary.

So, to create a sense of despair or discomfort, a Dutch Angle is a perfect choice. It can help raise tensions and engross the viewer. The key is to find out just how much you need to use them. As stated in the beginning, good cinematography blends in with the storyline.

We suggest you watch several films that have used the Dutch Angle wisely. One movie that comes to mind is Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards. Then, of course, we have Danny Boyle’s offerings. Once you have a fairly good idea of how to use them, experiment and see the results.

About Render Perfect Productions:

Render Perfect has been built from the ground up to service growing businesses and help them realize their full visual storytelling and digital marketing potential. We’ve created a service offering and skill-set that spans video production, post-production, motion graphic design, 3D animation, web development, and video marketing strategy. Our insight and experience allow us to help clients make better planning decisions and get more out of their video production effort.