Forced perspective
The forced perspective is a technique in film , art and architecture that is used to make objects appear larger, smaller, closer or further than they really are to the viewer . The way in which the dimensions are distorted depends on the position between the camera and the filmed object, or the point of view of the viewer and the object in question. The forced perspective creates an optical illusion that is mostly used to make things appear further away from the camera when space is limited. Film productions from the 1950s and 60s are known for their frequently used and often noticeable affinity to forced perspective.
Examples of the use of forced perspective:
- Imagine a scene in an action or adventure film in which dinosaurs threaten the film heroes. By taking a miniature model of a dinosaur very close to the camera, the dinosaur can appear ominously large to the viewer, even though the model is only closer to the camera.
The forced perspective can be presented more convincingly if the environment in the studio 'hides' the fault in the perspective. For example, an airport in the middle of a storm was chosen as the location for the final scene of the film “Casablanca” , but the entire scene was shot in a studio. In order to make the aircraft appear further away in the background, people of short stature were used as actors for the maintenance staff. The storm distracts from the scene and thus increases the credibility.
Peter Jackson's film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" almost always relies on forced perspectives. Actors who were supposed to be facing each other were positioned very differently on set close to the camera. In scenes without moving the camera, this can be B. the dwarfs and hobbits appear very small compared to others.
As a new technique and extension of the forced perspective, a process was developed for “The Companions” , through which the forced perspective can also be used in scenes with camera movements. Parts of the equipment on the set were stored on movable platforms, which were moved exactly synchronously when the camera moved so that the optical illusion was preserved.
In the slapstick comedy “ Top Secret! “ In one scene, the effect of the forced perspective is caricatured. The scene begins with what appears to be a close-up of a ringing phone; the characters can be seen in the background and from a distance. But when one of the figures goes to the phone (and in the direction of the camera), it becomes clear that the phone is considerably oversized and is not particularly close to the camera.
