Camera Movement in Film: Types, Techniques, and Their Impact on Storytelling

Definition of Camera Movement
Why is Camera Movement Important in Visual Storytelling?
The Nine Basic Types of Camera Movement
1. Pan
2. Tilt
3. Dolly
4. Tracking
5. Crane
6. Handheld
7. Steadicam / Gimbal
8. Zoom
9. Drone
Creative Techniques to Combine With Camera Movement
How to Choose the Right Camera Movement?
Pro Tips for Executing Effective Camera Movement

Understanding Camera Movement

Did you ever feel like you're on a roller coaster when you go to watch a movie at the cinema? You are sitting in a comfy chair, and the action on the screen is taking you to impossible lands through treacherous landscapes, and you witness an entire life story unfold before your eyes, yet you are sitting still in one place. That's the magic of camera movement. It can make us feel like we are on an emotional ride, living the story with the characters.

Camera movement is such a broad topic because there are many different types, styles, angles, etc. In this ultimate guide, we will try to explain as much of it as possible.

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Definition

Camera movement refers to the pre-planned movement of the camera apparatus during a particular sequence. This can be used to follow a certain action, reveal information, or create an effect. You can move the camera in two different ways. You can use dollies or cranes, hold the camera in your hand to physically move it through space, or go for mechanical movements where the camera is fixed in one location, but you can pan, tilt, zoom, etc.

Why is Camera Movement Important in Visual Storytelling?

As a creator, you have many options when it comes to telling a story on screen. But before we discuss the different types of camera movement and what they mean, let's consider the most important aspects of camera movement in film and TV.

Affects storytelling and emotion

A fast-moving camera shot feels exciting and exhilarating, while a slow pan calms us down and grounds us. This is how camera movement can be used in correlation with story beats to match the energy of the scene and make it better.

Directs the viewer's attention

The audience sees what the camera sees. It's their window to the new reality you created in your video. When telling the story, the camera IS the viewer, and you can direct their attention to important story elements to invoke emotions.

Sets rhythm and pacing

Camera movement is like any form of movement. The speed at which you move or pan the camera dictates the rhythm and pacing of the story you are telling, which is very important to nail.

The Nine Basic Types of Camera Movement

Here are the types of camera movements. Let's see each one by one.

Pan

A pan is a type of camera movement that features a fixed camera position, with the camera panning to the left or right. So, in essence, we have horizontal movement from a fixed position. This type of shot is used for several reasons, the most common of which are to reveal a landscape, follow or reveal a particular action, and build suspense. The example above comes from a 2007 comedy directed by Wes Anderson titled The Darjeeling Limited.

Tilt

The tilt shot is a close cousin to the pan shot. It features the same setup, where the camera is fixed, but instead of going from left to right, it goes from top to bottom or vice versa. The tilt shot reveals tall structures and creates a sense of disorientation. The example above comes from another Wes Anderson movie, but this one is way more popular. The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the most artistic attempts to create a mainstream movie.

Dolly (Tracking In/Out)

The dolly shot features a camera apparatus fixed onto a rail, track, or something with wheels. The camera then moves closer or further away from the subject, which marks the difference between a tracking in and tracking out shot. This type of movement is used to add emotional emphasis, build intimacy, and make dramatic reveals. The example above comes from the 1927 silent movie classic Wings.

Tracking (Lateral Movement)

While the dolly shot doesn't necessarily need to track the subject, the tracking shot (as the name suggests) does. This type of shot follows the subject moving from side to side, forward, or backward. It is, therefore, most commonly used to follow the character's motion and movement through the scene, creating and establishing the visual flow of the story. The example above from Hugo (2011) combines several types of tracking shots.

Crane (Jib)

A crane shot features a literal crane. You attach the camera to it, giving you the option to zoom out and create wide shots or even extreme wide shots. This type of camera movement is very effective when creating dynamic establishing shots for the first scene in a sequence and for dramatic exits. The example from the 1939 classic Gone With The Wind features a panning shot that turns into a crane wide shot while zooming out.

Handheld

A handheld shot is different from the five examples above. Here, the camera is not fixed but handled by a skilled camera operator who holds it in hand and records the scene. It features natural, shaky movement and is very commonly used to give off a sense of realism and urgency. It kind of makes you feel like you're watching a documentary, and there is no better example than this handheld shot from the 1998 blockbuster, Saving Private Ryan.

Steadicam / Gimbal

This type of shot combines the handheld shot with a panning or tilt shot by offering a stabilization apparatus that you attach to your camera to stop it from shaking. Therefore, it lets the camera operator track the subject smoothly. It is used to shoot fluid movement through space, letting the audience immerse themselves in the story. One of the best examples of a steadicam shot is this long take from Scorcesse's Goodfellas (1990).

Zoom

Zooming in and out with the lens is technically not a form of camera movement but rather a form of lens movement. The point of zooming in is to isolate subjects and add visual emphasis. When you combine zooming in with a dolly shot, you get a dolly zoom effect, just like in the example from the TV series Severance (2022).

Drone (Aerial Movement)

A done shot features a camera attached to a drone (a flying object). You can use it to shoot an overhead scene or to show expansive locations, and in some instances, you can use a drone to create indoor shots. Generally, this type of camera movement is used to show the epic scale of a vast location, the beauty of a particular geographical location, or for aerial transitions. The example clip shows several drone shots from the movie Red Notice (2021).

Creative Techniques to Combine With Camera Movement

Making a visual story, be it a short clip or a full-length movie, means that you need to learn about a lot more than just camera movement. There are many more creative techniques that you need to master in order to stand out from the crowd. We will mention three of them that pair well with camera movement.

Whip Pans and Match Cut Transitions

Finding the right transition effect between two scenes is an art form in and of itself. When you are thinking about how to transition from a static scene to a camera movement scene, or from one dynamic scene to another, you can consider two types. You can go with a transition that features motion like a whip pan, or go for a more artistic approach, like a match cut.

360° Movement and Orbit Shots

When conveying a narrative to the audience, you need to give them as much information about the story as possible so that they can better understand it. With 360° camera movement and orbit shots, you can capture a wide area and show the audience the location where the action is taking place. This will transport them to this location and help them understand character motivations.

Motion Blur and Subjective Camera Motion

Adding the motion blur effect or setting the camera lens to record with motion blur gives a whole new meaning to camera movement, especially if you pair this effect with a subjective camera motion technique like the first-person view. This way, you give the audience a unique look into how the character sees the world, and the motion blur effect adds realism.

How to Choose the Right Camera Movement?

Consider the Emotion or Tone of the Scene

Camera movement needs to follow the flow of the narrative. If you are working on a sweet love story, you can choose slow camera movements that add to the drama. On the other hand, if you are recording an explosive action sequence, you need fast camera movements to add tension.

What Do You Want the Viewer to Feel or Notice?

The goal of any story is to make the audience feel something. If you want them to feel disoriented, you can use fast tilts and dolly shots featuring some rotations, and the audience will feel the intensity. Also, camera movement can reveal details, locations, and other actions, so consider the script and what is important for the audience to notice. Use camera movement to show it to the audience and adjust the motion speed for different emotions.

Genre Conventions and Style (Horror vs. Romance)

Finally, consider the type of project you are working on. If a romantic couple is slowly walking down a beach discussing their wedding, you cannot use fast or disorienting zooms. You need a slow tracking shot that will follow the conversation. On the other hand, a horrific chase sequence cannot be recorded with slow pans. Consider the genre and pay attention to conventions.

Pro Tips for Executing Effective Camera Movement

Plan your blocking and choreography

Plan your camera movement and choreography, and record it once as a test.

Use movement with intention and avoid overuse

If the characters are standing and talking, and nothing exciting is happening in the background, then you should go for a static shot. Using camera movement excessively can confuse the audience and detract from the video's visual appeal.

Balance motion with stability

Regardless of the genre, you need to strike a balance between motion and stability. Camera movement is great for action set pieces and intense moments, but it should not be overused.

Test and rehearse with talent and crew

Moving the camera through a large set with a lot going on is like creating a dance choreography for the theatre. This needs to be rehearsed and tested with the entire crew present. Plan the movement of both the camera and the actors and test it at the location. You can also record the test scene to see if there is anything that needs to be fixed before you start with the first take.

Consider transitions in and out of movement

Each camera movement sequence should be integrated into a larger narrative. Consider the scene that will happen before and after the camera movement sequence. Then, plan how you want to transition to and from it before you start recording. When planning any camera movement, consider its place in the wider story.

Conclusion

We hope that this ultimate guide to camera movement helped you understand the different types, what emotions they entail, and how to use them in your own project. Speaking of using them, when you record a camera movement sequence, you need a powerful video editing tool that will help you stitch the footage together, remove unnecessary parts, adjust colors, correct scenes, and use AI to remove unwanted objects and clutter.

The best tool for this job is Filmora, which you can download to your Windows or Mac device today. It allows you to experience the joy of video editing with one of the most intuitive tools available.

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