Introduction to Camera Movement in Film
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Introduction to Camera Movement in Film
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A racecar smashes into the car it has been chasing, and debris flies everywhere.
A woman realizes her next-door neighbour is a murderer.
A couple shares their first kiss in a park.
All of these moments in film are made more effective through the director’s choices with regards to camera movement.
Directors impact our viewing experience through the use of camera movement.
A woman realizes her next-door neighbour is a murderer.
A couple shares their first kiss in a park.
All of these moments in film are made more effective through the director’s choices with regards to camera movement.
Directors impact our viewing experience through the use of camera movement.
Pan Shot
When a cowboy enters a saloon, he might look from left to right, assessing potential dangers that might be waiting. In this case, a director would choose to pan across the saloon and show you everything the cowboy sees.
WHAT’S THE EFFECT?
A pan places the audience in the action, allowing them to experience the surroundings with the character. We know this cowboy’s in trouble!
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Push-in Shot
Think of highly suspenseful movies, ones full of mystery. When a character finally knows “whodunit” or when a mystery is solved, a director may push the camera in towards the character, resulting in a push-in shot.
WHAT’S THE EFFECT?
In this case, the director may use a push-in to indicate a character’s moment of realization or to convey her shock or surprise.