In the landscape of modern streaming television, few moments have sparked as much technical and ethical debate as the “broomstick scene” in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. While much of the public discourse surrounds the narrative choices and psychological impact of the scene, for professionals in the world of production and aerial filmmaking, the sequence serves as a case study in high-intensity visual storytelling. From the perspective of Category 5: Aerial Filmmaking, analyzing such a scene requires a deep dive into the creative techniques, camera angles, and flight paths used to convey visceral emotion and claustrophobic tension.
To understand the technical execution of this sequence, one must look past the script and into the rigging, the movement of the lens, and the evolution of cinematic shots that allow a director to capture trauma with such jarring clarity. In this exploration, we will analyze how modern aerial technology and specialized camera movements are revolutionizing the way high-stakes drama is captured on screen.
The Evolution of Close-Quarter Cinematography in Modern Drama
The “broomstick scene” represents a pivotal moment in character-driven storytelling where the camera is no longer a passive observer but an active participant in the environment. In contemporary filmmaking, the use of drones—specifically micro-drones and Cinewhoops—has fundamentally changed how directors approach these tight, indoor environments.
The Shift from Handheld to Stabilized Aerial Movement
Traditionally, intense scenes like those found in 13 Reasons Why relied on handheld camera work to create a sense of realism and “shaky” urgency. However, the rise of aerial filmmaking techniques has introduced a new aesthetic: the “invading” camera. By using stabilized gimbals and small-form-factor drones, filmmakers can achieve a level of smooth, relentless movement that mimics a predatory or voyeuristic perspective. This technique is often referred to in the industry as “broomsticking” the camera—extending the lens into spaces where a human operator cannot comfortably fit, creating a sense of intrusion that heightens the viewer’s discomfort.
Utilizing Micro-Drones for Interior Tension
One of the most significant innovations in aerial filmmaking is the use of FPV (First-Person View) micro-drones for interior shots. While 13 Reasons Why primarily utilized high-end steady-cam and specialized rigging, the industry has since moved toward using drones to navigate the narrow hallways and confined locker rooms seen in the show. A drone can maintain a constant, unwavering tracking shot that follows a character’s movement with robotic precision. This lack of “human” error in the camera movement creates an eerie, detached atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the cold, clinical nature of the scene’s subject matter.
Technical Execution: How High-Stakes Scenes Benefit from Drone Integration
When dissecting the visual language of the “broomstick scene,” we must look at the technical execution of the angles. Aerial filmmaking isn’t just about high-altitude landscapes; it is about the geometry of the shot. In the context of aerial filmmaking techniques, the “top-down” or “God’s eye view” is a powerful tool for establishing isolation.
The Physics of the “Top-Down” Shot
In many high-budget dramas, aerial rigs are used to capture a 90-degree vertical angle looking down on the characters. This perspective, often achieved with a ceiling-mounted rail or a stabilized drone in a large studio space, serves to diminish the character, making them appear small and trapped within the frame. In the “broomstick scene,” the use of high-angle shots emphasizes the power dynamic at play. By analyzing the flight path—even if simulated through sophisticated rigging—we see a deliberate choice to remove the horizon line, trapping the audience within the four walls of the setting.
Maintaining Emotional Weight with Dynamic Angles
The challenge for an aerial cinematographer in a dramatic setting is to ensure that the technology does not overshadow the emotion. The “broomstick scene” utilizes what we call “linear encroachment.” This is a flight path where the camera moves slowly and steadily toward the subject on a single axis. Unlike a zoom, which changes the focal length and flattens the image, a physical move (whether by a drone or a specialized rig) changes the perspective and parallax. This movement forces the viewer into the personal space of the characters, a technique that is now standard in cinematic drone operations for psychological thrillers.
Navigating Visual Boundaries through Creative Flight Paths
The controversy of the “broomstick scene” often stems from its unflinching visual honesty. From a filmmaking perspective, the “how” is just as important as the “what.” Creative techniques in aerial filmmaking allow directors to capture the “unfilmable” by using flight paths that suggest movement without showing every graphic detail.
The “Orbit” and the “Pass-By”
In aerial cinematography, the “orbit” is a technique where the drone rotates around a central point of interest. While this is often used for epic hero shots, in a dramatic context, a slow-motion orbit can create a sense of vertigo. In scenes of intense conflict, a “pass-by” shot—where the camera moves quickly past the action and then pivots back—can simulate the feeling of a witness trying to look away but being drawn back in. These techniques are essential for directors who want to control the “reveal” of a scene, using the camera’s flight path to pace the delivery of information to the audience.
Safety and Precision in Stunt Sequences
The “broomstick scene” involved complex choreography and stunts. In modern productions, the use of drones for such scenes increases the safety of the cast and crew. Instead of having a camera operator in the middle of a physical altercation, a drone can be piloted from a distance, capturing 4K or 6K footage without endangering the actors. The precision of modern flight controllers allows for “repeatable flight paths,” meaning a director can run the scene multiple times with the exact same camera movement, ensuring consistency in the edit and allowing for the perfect calibration of the scene’s intensity.
Future Trends: The Convergence of FPV and Traditional Narrative
As we look at the legacy of 13 Reasons Why and the technical benchmarks it set for streaming content, the role of aerial filmmaking continues to expand. The “broomstick scene” was a product of its time, but if filmed today, the integration of AI-driven flight and autonomous tracking would offer even more creative possibilities.
AI Follow Mode for Uninterrupted Tension
Modern drones equipped with AI Follow Mode are now capable of tracking actors through complex environments without the need for a manual pilot to manage every micro-adjustment. This allows for a “long take” or “oner” that can follow a character from an outdoor aerial shot, through a window, and into a confined space like a locker room in one seamless motion. This technique eliminates the “cut,” which is often where the tension is broken. By using a continuous flight path, the filmmaker can sustain the dread of a scene like the broomstick sequence for a much longer duration.
The Creative Freedom of Specialized Rigs
The term “broomstick” in the context of camera accessories also refers to long, carbon-fiber extension poles used to mount small cameras or drones. These “broomstick rigs” allow filmmakers to get the camera into incredibly low or high positions that were previously impossible. In the production of 13 Reasons Why, the use of specialized mounts allowed for the camera to be positioned at eye-level with the trauma, creating an empathetic link between the viewer and the victim. As aerial filmmaking technology becomes more accessible, we are seeing a democratization of these high-end techniques, allowing independent creators to capture the same level of intensity and cinematic polish.
Conclusion: The Technical Legacy of the “Broomstick Scene”
The “broomstick scene” in 13 Reasons Why remains a controversial milestone in television history. However, through the lens of aerial filmmaking and cinematic technology, it serves as a masterclass in how camera movement, angles, and technical precision can be used to evoke a powerful emotional response.
By utilizing advanced flight paths, micro-drone technology, and creative stabilization techniques, filmmakers are able to push the boundaries of narrative storytelling. Whether it is through the use of an intrusive “broomstick” rig or a high-precision drone orbit, the goal remains the same: to use technology not just to see, but to feel. As the tools of aerial cinematography continue to evolve, the ability to capture such raw, unfiltered human experiences will only become more sophisticated, ensuring that the “camera’s eye” remains the most powerful tool in the storyteller’s arsenal.