Lesson 9: The Split Diopter
Ready on set? Welcome to DRIFF’s DIY Film School, where we introduce you to some tips and tricks that any aspiring filmmaker can try from the comfort of their home. We’ll guide you through exercises to sharpen your skills as a filmmaker, showing you the basics of what it takes to succeed behind the camera so you can start shooting your own films today.
Lesson 9
The Split Diopter
Typically, a shot is conceived with a single focal plane– but sometimes a director will use additional optical tricks to create two focal planes. Achieving a Split Diopter is not a simple task–it is often used by directors to showcase their skills. This type of shot is typically used to show tension or to use the frame to convey how two characters are feeling in a single shot. There are many famous films that have used this, such as Mission Impossible, Jaws, The Matrix, Spider-Man 2, and Pulp Fiction.
While this effect may be less common today, it is still an extremely effective one in not only communicating mood, but effectively condensing what would normally take two shots into one.
How is this achieved? This technique is achieved by using a special lens with some glass placed in the middle. This effectively splits the focal plane into two parts, where the foreground (closer to the camera) and the background can both achieve focus. A Split Diopter achieves beyond what our eyes are capable of. However, this effect is dependent on the framing in addition to the use of lenses. Small parts of the image can appear out of focus, so the framing is done to hide this as much as possible, making it appear invisible.
While this effect may be tricky to do at home, it can still be done. All you need is a half oval piece to place on the lens you intend to use. You can buy handled versions of this lens filter or filters that you can place on your camera ranging from 5 dollars to 60 dollars. This filter helps trick your camera into achieving two focal points by effectively splitting the lens; you just need to make sure where the split occurs.
A Split Diopter may not be in fashion anymore, but it is slowly becoming used more widely in cinema, Trap, Evil Dead Rise and Sinners (although this was ultimately cut from the film, they still achieved this effect).
A filmmaker is only as powerful as the tools they use and the harder the trick the more impressive your style will come across.
Connor Walsh is Photographer, Video Editor, and Writer based in Southern Ontario.
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If you’re interested in becoming part of a local film community or attending a film festival near you, the Durham Region International Film Festival’s events are for you! DRIFF presents an annual fall film festival in Durham Region, summer drive-in movie screenings in Whitby and DRIFF in a Jiff short film screenings in Oshawa. Visit driff.ca, become a DRIFF insider or follow us on social media at @catchthedriff for all the details.