In 1998, The WB debuted a show called Dawson’s Creek as part of a string of shows aimed at the teen audience. It became an immediate hit, thrusting its young cast into instant stardom. If you were alive at the time, you probably remember some of the controversy stirred up by the racy storylines or at the very least some of the magazine covers featuring James Van Der Beek or Joshua Jackson.
What you probably don’t remember was this absolutely incredible shot from the show’s first season.
This shot in Dawsons’s Creek is blowing my mind. pic.twitter.com/0cpbbvwbDt
— JΔY CHΣΣL (@JayCheel) April 12, 2023
This clip, tweeted by Canadian filmmaker Jay Cheel, comes from Season 1, Episode 7, titled “Detention”, and features a stunt involving a basketball that seems so improbable some actually thought it might be computer animated.
Def not CG, not then + window reflections correct. Theory: realistic lighter ball thrown from close to actor, accidentally bounces off and hits matte box/camera protection. JJ was already turning, just misses him. Lucky accident, director would not design this shot.
— Rachel Talalay (@rtalalay) April 13, 2023
It’s probably early CGI. For the ball to bounce back off his face at that speed he would have facial fractures. The bounce back is probably done to allow for a second shot where the ball bounces normally. Back then a bouncing basketball would have been difficult to pull off.
— Bob (@pajamapartybob) April 13, 2023
This shot is so mind-blowingly impressive that it prompted a serious discussion from film fans on Twitter, as well as people impressed with Joshua Jackson’s ability to take one for the team.
It bounces off his face, then bounces off the camera, then he swerves to avoid the ball after it bounces off the camera. pic.twitter.com/gLAhTI7HUt
— HSI.TV 🎥 🎹 (@HSI_TV) April 13, 2023
is this breaking the 4th wall or just breaking the camera lens?
— je (@srzjeee) April 13, 2023
Literally physically unable to stop watching this https://t.co/PHZTyEhxVc
— Deep Impact Crier (@deepimpactcrier) April 13, 2023
I’m on my knees sobbing, knowing that as a filmmaker I will never top this from fucking Dawson’s Creek. https://t.co/L5rlXjzJY1
— Tommy Demise 145-76-1 💖💜💙 (@NightmareOfNO) April 13, 2023
