I've noticed that recently I hear less and less about what I consider a key technique of direction and cinematography, the reveal shot. This is not in reference to plot reveals, I'm talking about camera moves that are orchestrated to provide key pieces of information to the viewer in a sequence. This is a well known technique, and it's one of the differences between great direction, and more pedestrian efforts.
I'll give an example. The camera begins on a hand, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a handgun concealed in bag. The shot pulls out to reveal that the owner of the hand is an elderly woman with a frightened expression on her face, it pulls out once again until you can see that she is sitting in the back row of a courtroom where a trial is taking place.
I was just curious as to how many of you use reveals in your films, if you have any shots you'd like to share, or if you have a favorite reveal from a movie.
I'll give an example. The camera begins on a hand, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a handgun concealed in bag. The shot pulls out to reveal that the owner of the hand is an elderly woman with a frightened expression on her face, it pulls out once again until you can see that she is sitting in the back row of a courtroom where a trial is taking place.
I was just curious as to how many of you use reveals in your films, if you have any shots you'd like to share, or if you have a favorite reveal from a movie.