Media Camera Movement

Tracking Shot

A tracking shot is when the camera moves backwards and forwards and is usually shot using dolly. A tracking shot is usually used to draw the audience into the action and to follow a character. In this video, which is from Kill Bill: Part 1, a tracking shot is used throughout the whole clip. However, the simplest  tracking shot in this clip is from 1.15. The camera follows the last woman from the stairs through the hallway and into the bathroom. This signals to the audience that the action will be in this room, as the camera also followed other characters into this room, such as the character in yellow. This also suggests to the audience that something will happen between these two characters as they have both been followed by the camera into the same room. The character in yellow and the last character to be followed by the camera in black are a contrast to each other as their outfits and their looks are completely different. This also suggests to the audience that something will happen between the two characters, which is most likely going to be bad.

Tilt

A tilt shot is when the camera either tilts up or down. This can create a sense of power, height. It can also follow a characters movement or where they are looking. This makes the audience follow where the character is going/ looking. In this clip, which is from Toy Story a tilt is used at 1.36, where the camera tilts downwards, when the character slides down the pipe against the side of the house. This makes the audience follow where the character is going. It also suggests to the audience that the action is going to happen where the character is going, which makes the audience follow the character.

Zoom

Zoom shots is when there is movement either into or away from a character or an object. In this video, there are several zooms from 0.52 onwards. The first zoom is when the first wolf stops running to howl. The camera then slowly zooms inwards to the wolf. The next few zooms are when more wolves start to howl. The camera then starts to zoom outwards from each of the wolves slowly. This is used to emphasise how many wolves there are. It also emphasises where the wolves are and how derelict and empty the setting is.

Arc Shot

An arc shot is when either a full circle or a semi circle is created around a character or object. This allows the audience to see other characters reactions in the scene. It also increases the intensity of the scene, as the camera is travelling around in a circle which makes the length of the scene seem longer. In this clip, the arc shot starts at 3.35, when the hat is placed on the main characters head. The camera then circles the character in a semi circle whilst the hat talks before it jump cuts to when the character starts to whisper. An arc shot is used here to create intensity and suspense, as we don't know what the hat is going to pick, and if the hat will pick the one we don't want him to pick. Using an arc shot here also allows the audience to see the other characters faces, which we wouldn't get it see if the arc shot wasn't used. This also adds suspense as the audience sees how many people are there and it makes the audience want the hat to pick the right house to avoid the main character being embarrassed and upset in front of all of the people.

Crane Shot

A crane shot is usually used so that the director of the film can follow the action in a vertical direction. The crane shot is used at 1.00 when the car is flying in the air and the camera follows it until the hook catches the bomb and it explodes. A crane shot was used here so that the audience could follow the action close up whilst it was in the air, instead of watching from the distance. This makes the audience feel more involved in the action and creates more suspense as to whether the character driving the car has survived, as the audience saw the bomb explode up close. It also creates more suspense when the hook hits the bomb, as the audience see it happen.

Pan

A pan shot is when the camera is moved left to right or vice versa. Pan shots are often combined with point of view shots, as the camera doesn't move along like it does in a tracking shot. In this clip, from 3.11 a pan shot is used. This is just after the character has put on the glasses and we are seeing from his point of view. The camera is then panning across the setting whilst an overlay of what the characters mission is. A pan shot is used here combined with a point of view shot to make the audience feel included and that because they have seen the character receive his mission, they must join him because they also know about his mission. It also makes the audience want to join him on the mission to find out whether his succeeds or not.