Camera Movements
- 1. Camera Movements Definitions & Meaning
- 2. Pan DEFINITION: The horizontal movement of a camera from left to right or vice versa, where the camera base is static DRAMATIC MEANING: New information is revealed. It could be about the parameters of a location, an important clue, or a hidden character
- 4. Tilt DEFINITION: A camera movement in which the base remains stationary, but the head of the camera moves up and down DRAMATIC MEANING: Used as a reveal to- sizing up a building or another character
- 5. Tilt Example: Raging Bull
- 6. Tracking Shot DEFINITION: A camera movement where the camera follows the action on rails or tracks DRAMATIC MEANING: Often used to follow action
- 8. Dolly DEFINITION: A platform on wheels, on which a camera can be placed in order to allow more freedom of movement during filming. Not restricted to simple rectilinear movements DRAMATIC MEANING: Used to follow action
- 10. Crane DEFINITION: The camera is placed on an arm and allows it to be lifted into the air, often for high-angle shots DRAMATIC MEANING: Can be used to reveal secrets and pertinent events
- 11. Crane Example: The Player
- 12. Steadicam DEFINITION: Has the freedom of a handheld shot but its stabilisation device smoothes out the bumpiness of the handheld shot DRAMATIC MEANING: Can be used for point-of-view shots, but also used to suggest dreams and fantasies
- 13. Steadicam Example: Russian Ark
- 14. Handheld DEFINITION: The camera is literally handheld by the camera operator. Often bumpy/jerky DRAMATIC MEANING: Often used to suggest instability
- 15. Handheld Example: The Blair Witch Project
- 16. Zoom DEFINITION: A single shot which moves towards a particular subject DRAMATIC MEANING: When done very quickly it can displace the audience, but it can also be used to concentrate the viewers’ gaze on something specific
- 17. Zoom Example
- 18. Reverse Zoom DEFINITION: A single shot which moves away from a particular subject DRAMATIC MEANING: When done very quickly it can displace the audience, but it can also be used to show the wider picture or context of an image
- 19. Reverse Zoom Example: Vertigo