Assignment 8.01 - Camera Movement

Pan: A steady horizontal movement across a scene, note that the camera itself is not moving. It is often fixed on tripod, with the operator turning it either left or right.

Truck (move): Another term for tracking or dollying.

Zoom: Technically this isn't a camera move, but a change in the lens focal length with gives the illusion of moving the camera closer or further away.

Dolly (move): The camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement. Also known as a tracking shot or trucking shot.

Tilt: Vertical movement of the camera angle, i.e. pointing the camera up and down (as opposed to moving the whole camera up and down)

Crane: Similar to tilt, but with a greater range of movement, used for high sweeping shots or to follow the action of your subject.

Steadicam: Used for steadying a handheld camera, which is attached to a shock-absorbing arm supported by a harness worn by the camera operator. It mechanically isolates the operator's movement, allowing for a smooth shot, even when the camera moves over an irregular surface.

Tracking or Follow Shot: Roughly synonymous with the dolly shot, but often defined more specifically as movement which stays a constant distance from the action, especially side-to-side movement.