Camera Movement

1.   Tracking & Panning Section – Tracking and panning are two different styles often used. They have a variety of effects, summarised as:

TRACKING – ‘tracking the shot’ following the action

PANNING – the camera stays still and twists to keep the subject in shot

2.   Crane, Aerial and Bird’s Eye View – Aerial, crane and Bird’s Eye View shots are often used. They are slightly different technically and have a variety of effects. The three shots are slightly different because of the height the camera is at when filming the shots.

CRANE – from above

AERIAL - as if from an aeroplane view 

      

3.   Tilt, Cant, Roll (Including High and Low angle) – Tilt, Cant and roll shots are not so often used. The most used is HIGH and LOW angle. They are slightly different: a tilt shot moves from side to side, a cant shot moves forward to backward and a roll shot moves around all these axes.  The three shots are slightly different because they produce differing effects as follows:

TILT – a shot taken by angling a stationary camera (tilt-up) or (tilt-down)

ROLL - gives the viewer a disoriented view of what they are showing

4.   Zoom, Whip Pan and Trombone – These shot types are more unusual. The usual or frequent effects are explained below (although there are many more ‘meaning’ possibilities)

ZOOM – shot which moves closer to, or away from the subject, using the lens rather then moving the whole camera in or out. 

WHIP – uncontrolled shot performed by the shooter

PAN – taken with the camera rotating horizontally to take the scene

5.   Handheld and Point of View (Including Subjective POV) – The use of the camera on a steadicam or portable rig has meant the increased use of handheld camera work. By allowing the camera to move around so freely, the effects can be numerous… 

HANDHELD – a camera is held in the camera operator’s hands