What is a Rolling horizon?

[Omar Sawalha]

I have been seeing this word used alot and tried looking it up and cannot find a definition can somebody please explain to me what exactly is a Rolling horizon?

[Carl Wiedemann]

Omar,

 

I'll make an attempt… pending a more eloquent and experienced operator chiming in with a more concise explanation.

 

When a camera is mounted on a tripod, dolly or track and properly leveled the horizontal frame lines (top and bottom) and the horizon of the landscape (or architectural equivalent) as seen through the lens are nearly parallel through the duration of a shot. As a Steadicam moves there is some degree of misalignment due to the nature of the mechanism. If this imprecision becomes obvious to the viewer (due to poor operating skills, poor balancing of the rig, heavy winds, lack of dynamic balance, etc) the phenomenon is often referred to as Horizon Roll (or as displaying a Rolling Horizon). Minute Horizon Roll is glaringly obvious to experienced Steadicam operators and more or less obvious to directors of photography, depending on experience and preferences. The average film viewer, given the current style of the modern action film, probably won't notice horizon roll until a set appears to be leaning on its side (think of 1966 Batman or The Poseidon Adventure). However, nuanced control of Horizon Roll is a vital skill to be mastered by a professional Steadicam operator, the learning curve of which makes me think of Sisyphus and his boulder.

Edited January 7, 2013 by Carl Wiedemann

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

well said. And additional props for the greek mythology reference.