Ron Dexter, ASC on Camera Movement and Camera Effects

StudentFilmmakers Magazine conducts an exclusive interview with master cinematographer Ron Dexter, ASC. Mr. Dexter shares his experience building camera equipment and systems. He discusses camera movement, techniques and camera effects. Mr. Dexter also shares his advice and insights on cinematography and animation.

Could you talk with us a little bit about your experience building cranes and dollies, and what goes on during the creative process of building?

Building My First Dolly

Ron Dexter, ASC: The first dolly I made for a US information agency, the USIA Film called Harvest for overseas propaganda. Carroll Ballard and I did the film. Carroll directed – he shot about half, and I shot about half as one-man crews. A lot of it was just scenic farms – we shot dawn and dusk all the time. A lot of it was a move, especially at almost ground level. It was just phenomenal to make a shot look 3-D.