Camera Movement

Okay, so we figured out today that moving camera shots are a lot of fun to set up but there is much to think about when constructing a proper shot.

You need think about subject placement/action... What is your actor doing in the scene, is movement even necessary, will add to the compelling visual qualities we all try to seek when filming?

Then... AUDIO! where is the mic at? is there dialouge or a convo going on? Are we going to see the boom mic in the shot when we pull away for a dramatic reveal shot?

Important notes: When the camera changes its position by moving left or right, this is called tracking or trucking. Changing the camera's position by moving it forward or backward is known as dollying. When the camera stays in the same position but turns left or right, this is panning, and when it turns up or down, this is known as tilting. Even when the camera is stationary and not turning it can appear to move closer to or further from its subject, the camera person can zoom in or out.

Also, what I feel is most important is to not over use these techniques so they dont become to familiar to the audience or come across as overdone.

I reckon what I will do is put in some links to some nice moving shots:
1. Touch of Evil, an almost 4 minute single take of the opening scene moving through the streets. The viewer sees a bomb being planted without the passengers noticing then pans and dips through the streets establishing other characters and the location. What makes it so suspenseful is the viewers know something bad is going to happen, just not when. Then with no movement there is never any pause in the suspense until the explosion. A true camera movement master piece.

2. Apocalypse Now, I have mentioned this opening scene before but its one that seems to fit many categories and with it being a personal favorite, it makes into these blogs. There is not A LOT of movement in this shot but when it does, it just works. The opening minute or is a still shot on the jungle line but once the explosions start it begins tracking left to right on the doll which REVEALS the on going destruction of the explosions on Vietnam, a truly useful moving shot.

3. Taxi Driver, closing scene. We see De Niro pull up with his mohawk and jump out of the cab... as he gets out- the camera moves with him to the right as he is walking but never revealing his destination or motive. When we see him walk up to Harvey Keitel, we see where he was going. The camera holds as the talk and the De Niro shoots Kietel and walks away this time to the left- as the camera moves with him back towards his taxi. Very compelling with the methods of revealing through camera movement.

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