What is the Purpose of a Dutch Angle Shot?

Filmmaking shots and effects are used in different ways to establish different appearances on the screen and to produce the desired illusions for the audience. For example, the dutch angle shot is a frequently used camera shot that can be used in a variety of settings. But what is the purpose of the dutch angle shot and how is this shot achieved?

What is the Dutch Angle Shot?

The dutch angle shot is a camera shot that involves rotating the camera. Relative to the horizon so that the angles cause a sense of unease or tension and disorientation for the viewer.

The purpose of the dutch angle shot is to cause the audience to feel a sense of disorientation, typically to elicit a sense of unease in a character’s situation.

History of the Dutch Angle Shot

Dating back to 1929, the dutch angle shot was first used in an experimental documentary film called Man with a Movie Camera by Dziga Vertov. Vertov actually incorporated several innovative filming techniques into this production.

But this happened to be the first known production of the dutch angle. Which would later be widely used in the depiction of a character’s insanity, disconnect with reality, and unrest. 

What is the Purpose of the Dutch Angle Shot?

Additionally, the dutch angle shot is used to create a sense of madness among a character. And to show that a character is disillusioned and disconnected from the story.

Dutch angles are often used in montages to show a quick spread of shots. In which a character visualizes events unfolding in a dreamlike state or similar state of insanity.

Furthermore, the dutch angle is often used by filmmakers that have a strong background in visual arts and want to show a character’s psychosis.

The dutch angle was used in the following films:

• Edward Scissorhands
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• The Fisher King
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• 12 Monkeys
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• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
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• Evil Dead 

The Takeaway

Moreover, in each of these films, the purpose of the dutch angle is almost always to create an odd tension among characters. Such that the shot exerts a sense of psychosis or insanity among the key character in the shot.

Often used in horror films and in horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The dutch angle shot continues to grasp the audience and create a strong sense of disorientation among characters to this day nearly 100 years after it was first used.

So what is the purpose of the dutch angle shot? To make the audience sense the disorientation, and unease of the character at hand.