Movement
One of the greatest freedoms you have as a filmmaker is the elegance that can be added to a shot by incorporating movement into it.
Allowing your audience to be carried through a space, rather than simply witnessing a scene from a distance, gives the camera a pulse and heightens the emotional impact of the image. It also gives you another way to manipulate the audience’s eyes.
Let’s learn the correct terms to describe movement.
Pan
This refers to left-to-right (or right-to-left) movement from a fixed axis point.
This is one of the most foundational moves that is available to you, and you are likely familiar with it if you have ever put your camera on a tripod.
All right-to-left (or left-to-right) movement from a fixed axis point is considered a pan. This will also be true if you are holding the camera and rotating your body.
Note: You can only pan right or left. You cannot pan up or down.
Tilt
This refers to up and down movement from a fixed axis point.
This is the other foundational move available to you, one you are also likely familiar with.
All up and down movement from a fixed axis point is considered a tilt. This is also true if you are holding the camera.
Note: You can only tilt up or down. You cannot tilt right or left.
Dolly
This refers to in-and-out movement with the camera mounted on a moving apparatus.
Note: You can only dolly in or out. You cannot dolly in any other direction.
Track/Truck
This is a rightward or leftward movement with the camera mounted on a moving apparatus.
Note: You can only track or truck right or left. You cannot track or truck in any other direction.
Ped (Pedestal)
This refers to the up and down movement that occurs when the camera itself moves up and down.
A ped is very different from a tilt. A tilt is performed with the camera in a fixed axis point, but a ped occurs when that axis point itself moves up and down.
Mostly, peds are performed with the camera mounted on a moving apparatus (a dolly or jib).
Note: You can only ped up or down. You cannot ped in any other direction.
Making movement possible often requires specific equipment. Different equipment will result in different types of movement and will consequently have different emotional impact.
Here are a few types of equipment:
- dolly: A dolly is a wheeled platform that allows for controlled and smooth movement. There are many different types of dollies available, but even a skateboard can serve as one.
- jib: A jib is a crane-like apparatus that can create highly dramatic, swooping shots. Think of a jib as a mini crane.
- gimbal: A gimbal is a handheld support system that keeps the camera stable and level. Gimbals afford great flexibility of movement, but the weight of a camera (and its accessories) must be considered.
- handheld: Without the aid of any apparatus, you will create lifelike, possibly jerky movement. Be warned: this is the most difficult of all camera movements.
Even the smallest movement can add tension and excitement to a shot. Imagine a slow dolly in on a character as they come to a realization. Or a pan away from an action just as it starts, allowing the audience to imagine rather than see what is happening.
There are so many ways that movement can enhance how you convey meaning with a shot. Embrace moving your camera in all the ways you can.
