Cinematographer deconstructs THAT shot in 'Contact' | Don Burgess

'Contact' famously features a specific one shot crafted by the crew. In this episode, cinematographer Don Burgess deconstructs exactly how they created it.

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[samrbrts]

When she is already up the stairs and is going through the hallway and the shot slows down, it's looks like she is not moving forward at all. This is a perfect depiction of the nightmare we all had at some point when we are trying to run away from something terrible and it's like our lags are too heavy and we can't run. Perfection.

[LePetitChatNoir]

I remember watching Contact in the theater with my boyfriend at the time and his parents. They all thought the movie was boring and disappointing and I didn’t understand why. I was left in awe by the end of it.

[JustWastedHoursHere]

That shot broke my brain when I first watched it. When it came out on DVD I slow-mo'd it over and over and still couldn't work out how it was done until years later. Kudos to the effects team and everyone involved. One of the most clever shots in film history, IMO.

[THEcucufate]

I very LOUDLY yelled "WHAT!?" when Don said "We got it all in one take." LOL Got me!

[MichaelSavidgeStoryteller]

Of all the things talked about in this video, the one I cannot get over is how the set was flipped specifically for this shot to give the audience a subconscious cue that this is mirror image of the "real-life" staircase. It's a small but essential part of the Hollywood magic that makes this particular shot a classic!

[officialstylechild]

This is my favorite shot of all time. Not only is it cool looking but it has huge emotional aspect to it

[atomsofstardust]

Till this day this shot is one of the most impressive and mesmerizing in the whole cinema history!

[DanielPerrea]

I always thought the staircase being on the other side was a continuity error but the fact that it's intentional so the entire shot is a reflection... blows my mind!

[AlysterJohnEstur]

The amount of work put into a minute-long shot is incredible.

[Pyke_]

One of the most amazing shots in cinema history

[charmawow]

I watch Contact at least once a year, every year….i love everything about it on every level and watching the making of the film is a real treat in itself.

[wallerron]

One of the most mind bending shots I've seen.
But also one that will stay and haunt you a little.

[pdqzvtc]

Having lost my father months before seeing this movie, I was in tears from the dramatic impact of how this was shot and the knowing of what was to come. Great film meaning making. One of my favorite scenes in any movie.

[Tennethums]

This film had many memorable shots. The beginning alone is quite mind blowing and it really puts things in perspective (we’re meaningless, except in our own minds).

[arghjayem]

Contact is a fantastic book and it’s a hugely underrated film! Probably one of the best films of that decade and an all time classic!

[lainimitchell]

I remember seeing this in the theater, and that shot actually blew my mind a little. Still talked about after all this time. Well done. :)

[itsalongbeachthing]

FYI, they recreated this now-iconic mirror shot almost exactly the same way at the very beginning of Consecration (2023) because it is the same actress, only now she is an adult. It happens at the 4-minute mark!

[losthatter]

I've seen this movie at least a half dozen times. Never noticed this. My jaw hit the floor. 10/10.

[creativevit]

It broke my brain the very first time I saw it. This scene is genius and so visually powerful. Hands down!

[Watkins_Outdoors]

Just watched this for the first time (on HBO Max) and this shot literally made me get up out of my recliner. *This right here is what separates good directors from great directors.* To not only have the vision for it, but the skill to actually make it happen. Just brilliant. Well freaking done, Mr. Zemeckis.