Jigsaw Notetaking
Camera Movement Technique | Definition | 3 Key Points about each Technique |
Static | A static shot has no camera movement at all. It is achieved by locking the camera to a fixed position. | - The stability of a static shot makes it non-distracting. - Typically done with a tripod. - One of the best camera movements for precise composition. |
Pan | The camera pan directs a camera horizontally left or right. | - Typically achieved with a tripod head. - Can be used to reveal new information to the audience. - Pans are often motivated by a character’s actions. |
Tilt | Tilt camera movements direct a camera upward or downward. | - can be used to give a character dominance in a shot. - can be used to reveal new information to the audience. - Tilts enable filmmakers to capture the verticality of a film in moments of awe and spectacle. |
Dolly In/ Push In | A push-in moves the camera closer to a subject. | - Push-ins can draw the audience's attention toward a specific detail. - Filmmakers also push-in toward characters to try and infer what is occurring internally. - Typically done with a dolly camera movement or Steadicam. |
Dolly Out/ Pull Out | A pull out is a smooth camera movement that moves the camera further away from a subject. | - This movement causes the subject to grow smaller while simultaneously revealing their surroundings. - Pull outs can be used to reveal setting and characters. - Emotionally, pull outs can highlight a character’s isolation or loneliness. |
Zoom | Zooms change the focal length of a camera lens to either zoom in (magnify) or zoom out (de-magnify) the size of a subject in the frame. | - Zooms are unique because there is no equivalent to it in the experience of the human eye. - Zooms can feel artificial or even unnatural. - zooms are one of the best camera movements to use in horror movies and thrillers. |
Tracking | A tracking shot is any shot that physically moves the camera through the scene for an extended amount of time. | - Tracking camera movement often follows a traveling subject. - can be used to simply show off the scene. |
Trucking | Truck camera movement is a type of tracking shot that moves laterally left or right. | - Truck camera movement has historically been achieved with a dolly tracking camera movement. - Modern Steadicams have allow complex shot movements that move the camera in all directions. - Steadicam camera movement has become more prevalent in modern films. |
Random Movement | Filmmakers often add random movement to a shot via camera shake through a handheld shot. | - Used to heighten the intensity of a scene. - When used more subtly, the random movement can establish subjectivity for the audience. - This is often used in films that are based on true events. |
Boom | To move the camera vertically upward or downward, filmmakers turn to the boom shot. | - Boom shots are achieved by using boom crane camera movements, pedestal camera movement, and jibs. - Small boom movements typically used for reveals and characters. - Filmmakers use large boom movements to show off the setting of a scene. |
Whip Pan | When pans are done quickly with speed, the fast camera movement is known as a whip pan. | - One of the best camera movements to add energy to a shot. - Can be used between two characters to establish a more energetic connection. -Effectively used in La La Land. |
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