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Tracking Shot

A tracking shot is any shot in which the camera films while being smoothly moved around. In most cases, the camera is mounted on a dolly that glides on tracks (hence the name). However, a dolly or any other kind of mobile support allowing for smooth movement may also move on wheels. Tracking shots can be achieved using a great variety of different devices such as a crane, Steadicam, or a well-supported handheld camera (i.e. a handheld camera on a wheelchair). The verbs to track and to dolly are often used synonymously.

A tracking shot usually moves with a character (or an object), but if the camera follows a subject over a lengthy period of time, this kind of shot is then called a following shot.

With regard to possible tracking movements, there is a great variety available to cinematographers. However, the most common are:

  • The camera moves (tracks) towards a subject or object (track in).

  • The camera moves (tracks) away from a subject or object (track out or track back).

  • The camera tracks along with a subject or object (i.e. a vehicle) in the same direction (tracking within).

  • The camera tracks a subject but moves in the opposite direction (countermove).

  • The camera tracks around a subject or object in a circle (circle shot).

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July 16, 2021/by Filmmakers Academy
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Related Articles:
  • #StandWithMe - Flipping The Traditional Documentary Model on Its Ear
    Patrick Moreau and the entire Stillmotion team have an amazing project that we would like to share with you. Their hope with #standwithme was to blur the lines of traditional documentary storytelling.
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« Back to Glossary Index
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