Movement Move
Camera movement changes what the audience sees and how it feels. What matters is whether the camera only rotates (pan, tilt) or physically travels — and in doing so changes perspective and parallax.
- camera movement
- handheld
- dolly
- gimbal
- crane
- pan
- tilt
- tracking
- arc
What this section answers
- What is the difference between a dolly-in and a zoom?
- When should I use a gimbal and when should I go handheld?
- What is an arc and what is a crane shot?
Articles and tools
Quick reference
| move | rotates / travels | parallax |
|---|---|---|
| pan | rotates (vertical axis) | no |
| tilt | rotates (horizontal axis) | no |
| dolly in / out | travels forwards / backwards | yes |
| truck | travels sideways | yes, strong |
| pedestal | travels up / down | yes |
| arc | travels around a circle | yes |
| crane / jib | travels + tilts | yes |
| handheld | small movements on every axis | slight |
| gimbal | travels, rotation stabilised | yes |
Terms
- Pan
- Rotating the camera horizontally around a vertical axis; the camera stays in place. More
- Tilt
- Rotating the camera up or down around a horizontal axis; the camera stays in place.
- Dolly push-in / pull-out
- Physically moving the camera towards or away from the subject, typically on a dolly. Unlike a zoom, it changes perspective.
- Truck
- Moving the camera sideways, parallel to the subject.
- Pedestal
- Moving the whole camera vertically up or down without tilting.
- Arc
- Moving the camera around the subject in a circle; the subject stays in the centre of the frame.
- Gimbal
- A motorised stabiliser that counteracts camera rotation on three axes. It does not remove the vertical bob of walking, though.
In preparation
Topics we are working on. They are not published yet — we would rather have fewer pages, but verified ones.
- Motivated movement: when and why the camera moves
- Gimbals in practice: balancing, modes, the ‘ninja walk’
- The dolly zoom (vertigo effect)
- Drones as cranes: limits and safety