A director may choose to move the pace of action along by telling the narrative via a series of cuts, changing from one shot to another, or the camera may be moved with the action. The camera movement can draw the viewers attention to or away from something, or switch from one subject to another that appears in the same frame. E.g a tracking shot where the camera physically moves closer or further away from the subject is most commonly used to increase the drama of what is being said or done.
- Zooming- zoom lenses are a mechanical assembly designed with elements to vary its focal length, with he ability to magnify within the frame, as opposed to a fixed focal length. The magnification process can be reversed by zooming out, creating an opening for a long/ wide shot.
- Panning- panning involves a movement of scanning a scene/landscape from left to right (or vice versa). The tripod provides a stable axis point, allowing the sweeping motion to be free. This movement is often used to follow a character, as the camera can move, keeping the subject within the main focus of the frame, without minimising setting.
- Tilting-where the tripod remains stationary and the camera tilts up or down. Similar to panning but with alteration in direction, this movement can be applied to create a sense of unease in the character, creating suspense or mystery.
- Crane Shots- the crane (or jib) is a piece of equipment, size dependent on purpose. The camera is suspended and raised up according to the scene content- this effect allows horizontal and vertical movement, the location to be seen from a high angle, which can then be swept down out of the action.
- Tracking/Dollying- both the camera and tripod are mounted on a moving vehicle or platform (complicated shots involve rails), allowing smooth movements following the action, generally following a character or object. This type of shot is often a good way of the journey of a character, or for moving from a long shot to a close-up, gradually focusing the audience on a particular object or character.
- Handheld/ Steadicam-these cameras produce a jerky, ragged effect, in strong contrast to that of the tracking/ dolly shots. The Steadicam (a heavy contraption which is attached a camera to an operator by a harness. The camera is stabilized so it moves independently) brings smoothness to hand held camera movement. In modern filming, no "walk and talk" sequence would be complete without the use. Hand held cameras signify a kind of gritty realism, and they can draw the audience in, with the impression they are in the scene themselves, rather than viewing it in a still, set position.
Our media studies theory teacher taught us this all about camera movements in class.
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