History Main / ScullyBox

** Notably a number of different techniques and perspectives are used with Clark and her costar Charlie Vickers (5'11") Halbrand for him to appear only slightly taller. [[spoiler:These are dropped in the scene where Halbrand is revealed to be Sauron and it contributes to his utter NoSell of her dagger attack.]]

* Invoked in ''Film/{{Godzilla|1998}}'' (1998). Charles Caiman (played by 5'6" Harry Shearer) meets his new co-anchor for the first time while she's sitting in her chair on-set. He sits next to her and the top of his head barely meets her chin. With the news starting in a few seconds, he desperately asks the producer for a pillow or phone book, then resorts to holding himself up by the arms on his chair.

** Similarly, in ''Film/{{Gaslight}}'' Creator/CharlesBoyer -- being the same height as his leading lady -- stood on a box for head and shoulders two-shots with Bergman.

** In the [[Film/X2XMenUnited second]] and [[Film/XMenTheLastStand third]] movies, scenes with Jean and Scott together were carefully framed so that their legs and feet were not visible, because he was standing on boxes and she wasn't wearing shoes.

* In ''Film/JulieAndJulia'' in order to have Creator/MerylStreep (5'6") reflect the height of Julia Child (6'2"). They also used smaller scale props and hired short actors to be extras in her scenes.

* Famously, 5'11" Boris Karloff wore platform boots and a tall headpiece to appear a towering stature as the Monster in ''Film/Frankenstein1931'' and ''Film/BrideOfFrankenstein''. Subsequently, most performers playing the Monster or a character inspired by it, wore platforms to achieve a superhuman height (see: Fred Gwynne in ''Series/TheMunsters'').

* In ''Film/FromRussiaWithLove'' 5'10" Robert Shaw wore lifts to make his character, S.P.E.C.T.R.E. assassin Red Grant look menacing enough next to 6'2" Sean Connery's James Bond.

** Creator/HaydenChristensen (6'0") had to wear lifts in his shoes while portraying the costumed Darth Vader at the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' in order to be closer to the height of the original Vader Creator/DavidProwse ([=6'6"=]). Years later, he did it again for ''Series/ObiWanKenobi''.

** Creator/RobertDowneyJr is 5'7" and had to wear some [[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5rhng82mG1qgbq82.jpg truly impressive]] high heels while playing Iron Man since he spent most of the films sharing the screen with Creator/ChrisHemsworth, Creator/ChrisEvans, and Creator/GwynethPaltrow, and all three tower over him. In Gwyneth's case, [[http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/images/celebritology/08/gwyn_morph.jpg especially when she's in heels]], which is also why she's visibly barefoot in the scene at the tower in ''Film/TheAvengers2012''. The blooper reel of ''Film/IronMan3'' shows Downey in a Scully Box while talking with the 5'9 1/2" Creator/RebeccaHall (bonus: Tony's supposed to be in armor, and Hall is only in sneakers!).

*** To add, in shots where the two actors were together in full shots or full views of the actors together were required Johansson wore specially modified footwear with built in heels, most notably during their scene in the mall while in disguise. Look carefully and you'll see Johansson wearing sneakers that have a profile closer to heeled boots while Evan's are proper sneakers.

* In ''Film/OfMiceAndMen'', 6'0" John Malkovich wore platforms and was photographed from specific angles to appear superhumanly tall as the giant character Lennie. There was already a four-inch difference between him and 5'8" co-star Gary Sinise, which was further emphasized.

* Creator/SophiaLillis had to stand on an apple box when she was filming scenes with Stephen Bogaert in ''Film/IT2017'', because she is only 5'0", and he is around 6'0".

* Creator/VinDiesel isn't short by any means at 5'11, but in ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' films, he's been known to use these kinds of tricks to measure up next to Creator/DwayneJohnson, who is around 6'4. In particular, he wears some pretty hefty lifts.
* In ''Film/ThreeThousandYearsOfLonging'', considering Creator/IdrisElba and Creator/TildaSwinton [[https://cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/elba-cannesprem/tilda-swinton-idris-elba-cannes-premiere-55.jpg are both very tall]], there is judicious use of special effects and camera tricks to make the Genie a few feet taller than Alithea.
* ''Film/HerculesInTheHauntedWorld'' stars Reg Park, who had the HeroicBuild to play Hercules, but a fairly modest height at 5'8", and Creator/ChristopherLee as the EvilSorcerer villain, who, at 6'5", would naturally tower over Park. Director Creator/MarioBava decided that, while [[EvilIsBigger some villains could be more physically imposing than the heroes]], this wouldn't do in a Hercules movie. Therefore, whenever their two characters appear in a single shot, Park is usually standing on a box, or some other photography trick is employed, to make them appear to be about the same height, thus emphazising [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chris02_1.jpg Park's weight advantage over the wiry Lee]].

** Bernadette is played by the under 5' Creator/MelissaRauch, but Howard, her boyfriend (later husband), isn't that much taller and thus it isn't that big of an issue. In one episode at her apartment, she got a ring at the doorbell and in order to look through the peephole she had to use a step stool. Rauch mentioned that most of her family is pretty short and her husband is around 6', so whenever they get together it feels like he is visiting [[Literature/TheHobbit the Shire]].

** While Series/{{Angel}} was in the series, Creator/SarahMichelleGellar had to stand on a box just so she could be seen in the same frame as the much taller Creator/DavidBoreanaz. The later seasons had her wear high heels to have Buffy appear taller than Dawn.

* In ''Series/GetSmart'', Barbara Feldon was slightly taller than male lead Don Adams. This led to Don Adams standing on an apple crate or Barbara Feldon bending her knees and/or not wearing shoes so he would appear taller than her in close-ups.

** Staging scenes is often difficult because of this, especially when Creator/CoryMonteith was involved. Monteith was much taller than anyone else in the cast (even the cast members playing teachers), thus he spent a lot of time not only sitting but also leaning forward with his forearms resting on his thighs (otherwise seated cast members behind him ''still'' wouldn't be visible). Other times they actually used his height to their advantage, for example: When sharing a scene with Rachel the camera sometimes switched to a shot closer to her perspective which only served to make him look even ''taller.''
** Creator/ChrisColfer is slightly taller than his on-screen love interest, Darren Criss, but, because Criss' character was meant to serve as a mentor-type figure, efforts were made to make him appear taller than Colfer, even in photo shoots promoting the show.

** In Season 4, Creator/MirandaCosgrove has continued to get taller, while Creator/JennetteMcCurdy has not, so in episodes from Season 4 onward she starts wearing platform shoes.
* ''Series/IClaudius'': Both used and referenced in Claudius' marriage to Plautia, whom he meets on his wedding day. When seated beside her, they're eye-level, but when they stand, Claudius is horrified to discover that she towers a full head taller than him. After gaping up at her for a moment, he looks down at her feet, obviously looking to see if she's standing on something, but she's not. The actress Jennifer Croxton actually ''was'' standing on a box, as she's of normal height.

** This was humorously referenced on the celebrity episode of February 9, 2001, on which Creator/SethGreen was a contestant.

* In ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'', Creator/MorfyddClark (5'3") filmed several key scenes sitting on a box to make sure she is at the same level with her taller co-stars. One such a scene is when Galadriel talks to a blinded Miriel, in the behind-scenes Morfydd is shown sitting on a box while talking to the queen.

** In "Scott of the Sahara", an actress is standing in a trench on her own feet, while the actor with her is on a box. The result is ridiculous height disparity. And then, when the actor suggests that he get off the box and she gets out of the trench in order to bring them more-or-less on the same level, she flounces off in a huff because she ''never'' works outside of a trench.

* When the Granada ''Series/SherlockHolmes'' replaced David Burke's Watson with the shorter Edward Hardwicke, this trope came into play:

* In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', 5'9" William Shatner wore lifts and heels, and was often photographed from specific camera angles to look the same height as 6'0" Leonard Nimoy. In the episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?", they deliberately avoided showing Shatner and 6'3" Michael Forest standing next to each other. In "Court Martial", due to Shatner's complaints, the director re-staged a scene in which a much taller actor was originally supposed to stand next to Kirk, and had him sit at a bar stool instead.

* Used in-universe in ''Series/{{Veep}}'', where the Vice President's assistant has a folding stepping stool in his bag for her to use during speeches when the lectern is too tall. This is understandable, given that the actress, [[Creator/JuliaLouisDreyfus Julia Louis-Dreyfus]], is 5'3". This causes Vice President Meyer some embarrassment in one episode when it's revealed that her box is made of a special metal alloy and costs $1200.

* During the 2005 Academy Awards, Music/{{Prince}} gave Best Original song to Jorge Drexler for his contribution to ''Film/TheMotorcycleDiaries''. Poor Drexler [[http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/jorge-drexler-on-stage-during-the-77th-annual-academy-awards-on-27-picture-id52254204 had to hunch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ikB2I7v2g so he could use the microphone set for the 5'2" star.]]

* When ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'' released its 14th chapter [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=5323 the cover]] showed Ariel and Chirinide standing back to back and at even heights, even though other [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=5252 pages]] show that Ariel is about a head shorter. The joke naturally became that she's standing on a stump, or in one piece of fanart, [[{{Jerkass}} Rikshakar]]. Ironically after a 15 year {{timeskip}} Ariel is now so tall that [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=8341 she has a full head of height on everyone in her squad]].

* An in-universe example in the 1987 ''WesternAnimation/{{Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|1987}}'' episode "Rondo in New York" when action Hollywood star tours the theater to promote his latest film. The actor is really short and has a crew placing apple boxes as he walks by the crowd looking down on them, much to Michelangelo's disappointment.

** ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' introduces Valkyrie, who while badass is played by the 5'3 1/2" (1.62 m) Tessa Thompson, [[http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2017/03/09/555079-thor-valkyrie-chris-hemsworth-tessa-thompson.jpg much shorter than]] 6'3" Chris Hemsworth's Thor [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DG7mc3pVwAAOUX0.jpg and]] 6'2" Creator/TomHiddleston's Loki. Aside from wide shots - most blatantly when Val and Thor board a ship simultaneously and end up staring at each other - the camera tries to downplay the difference.

** Done in-universe in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', where the High Evolutionary's assistants bring in a box so that he can suitably tower over Ayesha, one of his subordinates. (Respectively, Chukwudi Iwuji is 5'9, while Elizabeth Debicki is 6'3; the height difference was real.)

** While Galadriel is frequently shown [[DoesNotLikeShoes walking around barefoot]], Creator/CateBlanchett (5'8") had to wear platform "disco boots" under her dresses to better match the height of the actors playing the other elves.

[[quoteright:279:[[Creator/TomCruise https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tom_cruise_scully_box.jpg]]]]

* It’s mentioned several times on the commentaries that filming ''Series/GameOfThrones'' could be a logistical nightmare when Creator/PeterDinklage's Tyrion shared a scene with another actor, especially Creator/CharlesDance who plays his father Tywin and is a full two feet taller. They often resorted to these sorts of tricks or had Tywin sitting down to make framing easier.

* Used in-story by Linda Hunt's character in ''Film/{{Silverado}}''. Kevin Kline first meets her while she's tending bar. When she comes around to the other side, she's suddenly a foot shorter. He leans over and looks behind the bar to see a ramp along the other side for her to stand on and comfortably reach the table. She has a very philosophical view of things, though.

** Done in-universe in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVolume3'', where the High Evolutionary's assistants bring in a box so that he can suitably tower over Ayesha, one of his subordinates. (Respectively, Chukwudi Iwuji is 5'9, while Elizabeth Debicki is 6'3; the height difference was real.)

* This [[https://twitter.com/TwitterVideo/status/844209380912386048 twitter video]], featuring the stars of ''WebAnimation/TheMostPopularGirlsInSchool'' and ''WebAnimation/DrHavocsDiary'', has Lee Newton standing on one of these.

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* This [[https://twitter.com/TwitterVideo/status/844209380912386048 twitter video]], featuring the stars of ''WebAnimation/TheMostPopularGirlsInSchool'' and ''WebAnimation/DrHavocsDiary'', has Lee Newton standing on one of these.
[[/folder]]

* The cover of Music/TheRamones' [[Music/{{Ramones}} debut album]] tries to disguise the shortest (Tommy is standing on a ledge) and tallest members (the enormous - 6'6"! - Joey is slightly contorted).

* In the latest spin-off, ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'', 6'3" Doug Jones wears special "hooves" and (when his feet are not visible on camera) platform boots to appear a towering 6'8" as the Kelpien Saru.

* On the cover of the ''Series/TheLoneGunmen'' comic book a publicity shot of the cast is used which due to lack of cropping, the Scully Box used to make Byers and Frohike the same height as the rest is [[http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/Previews/11-197 very obvious.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'', since Woody is actually much taller than Buzz, in scenes when they had to talk with each other but their feet wouldn't be in the frame, the animators would actually have ''Woody's'' legs [[InvertedTrope clipping into the ground]]. They called it "Trenching", named for when trenches were dug for the much taller female co-stars of actor Alan Ladd (5'6") to make him appear at the same height as them.

** The raised platform holding the desk serves a similar purpose: observant viewers will note that Creator/JonStewart, who is 5'6", always shakes the guest's hand ''before'' they step up onto the platform. Despite this fact, Stewart constantly jokes about his height. He used the raised platform on ''Series/TheColbertReport'' to briefly make himself look taller than 6'4" Creator/ConanOBrien during the MeleeATrois {{crossover}} between the three shows.

** In his debate with (6'4") [[Series/TheOReillyFactor Bill O'Reilly]] in 2012, Stewart went [[ParodiedTrope a step further]], using a motorized lifting platform that would allow him to ''tower'' over O'Reilly (and every inch in between) -- used primarily to defuse tension and get some laughs.
*** As shown by the many RealLife examples below, it's actually fairly common in debates between people of significantly different height to use boxes or platforms to equalize them (which is why Stewart had one). Appearances influence opinions, after all, and to prevent height, a factor beyond anyone's control, from influencing the result, it's important that the participants stand at a more-or-less equal height.

* A variation happens in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat2'' and ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat3 3]]''. [[BigBad Shao Kahn]] is played by bodybuilder Brian Glynn, who may be impressively muscular, but he isn't particularly tall. His digital sprite was resized to tower over the other characters. This is referenced in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', where Frost makes a comment about Kahn being much shorter in person; fans have had a similar reaction when meeting Glynn at conventions.

** While ComicBook/{{Apocalypse}} does wear combat boots in the comics, in the case of ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' they were used as an aid to make the average-sized Oscar Isaac (5' 7½"\1,71 m) [[EvilIsBigger more imposing]] even if not massive (he looks eye-to-eye with Creator/MichaelFassbender, who's three inches taller).

** Creator/Natalie Portman required a raised platform to portray Jane after her transformation to Mighty Thor in Film/ThorLoveAndThunder. Portman in real life is the same height as Tessa Thompson at 5'3". But Jane's height as Mighty Thor is whopping ''7 inches taller'' at 6'. This special effect is very noticeable, as Jane is nearly the same height as Chris Hemsworth Thor!

** Used in ''Film/{{Notorious}}'' for the diminutive Creator/ClaudeRains (5'6") in some of his shots with Bergman, including one scene where he enters a room and [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iz7qWXP0Os/UwlLv9qgS0I/AAAAAAAAAf8/HA4LAvqRTOE/s1600/Notorious01.gif ascends a ramp]] as he approaches the camera (and Bergman).

* In ''Film/KeepingTheFaith'', 5'6" Ben Stiller is paired with 5'10" Jena Elfman. In an interview, Stiller said that he "needed shoe lifts and a good sense of humor in bed".
* Similarly, in ''Film/TopGun'', 5'7" Tom Cruise is paired with 5'10" Kelly [=McGillis=]. A large number of trickeries were used to make Cruise appear taller than his co-star, including camera angles, Cruise wearing lifts, standing on elevated ramps and apple boxes, and [=McGillis=] going barefoot and standing in trenches.

** 5'1" Carrie Fisher stood on an apple box in the famous kissing scene between her and 6'1" Harrison Ford in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''.

** Creator/HaydenChristensen (6'0") had to wear lifts in his shoes while portraying the costumed Darth Vader at the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' in order to be closer to the height of the original Vader Creator/DavidProwse ([=6'6"=]).

** Earlier, while he confronts [[WebVideo/BrowsHeldHigh Kyle Kallgren]] in a corridor, the scenes of him berating Kyle are shown only up close. Once it gets to wider shot it's blatant why, as Kyle is taller.

* Creator/VinDiesel isn't short by any means at 5'11, but in the ''Film/FastAndFurious'' films, he's been known to use these kinds of tricks to measure up next to Creator/DwayneJohnson, who is around 6'4. In particular, he wears some pretty hefty lifts.