Tracking Shot

Definition

A tracking shot is a cinematographic technique where the camera moves along a specific path, usually following the action or subject in the frame. This movement can enhance storytelling by creating a sense of motion, immersing the audience in the scene, and allowing for dynamic visual compositions. Tracking shots can be executed on tracks, wheels, or even handheld, and are often used to build tension, reveal character dynamics, or showcase the environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tracking shots can be either lateral (side-to-side), forward/backward, or even in circular motion, depending on the desired effect.
2. They are often used in conjunction with other techniques like zooms or pans to create complex visual narratives.
3. The use of tracking shots can heighten emotional engagement by physically moving the audience closer to characters or action.
4. Filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese are known for their innovative use of tracking shots to enhance storytelling.
5. One famous example of a tracking shot is in 'Goodfellas' where the camera follows Henry Hill through a restaurant, immersing viewers in the scene.

Review Questions

• How do tracking shots contribute to the emotional impact of a scene in film?
  • Tracking shots enhance emotional impact by allowing the audience to feel physically connected to the characters and action unfolding on screen. As the camera follows characters through their environment, it creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that static shots often lack. This technique can also amplify tension or excitement, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative and making them experience events alongside the characters.
• Compare and contrast tracking shots with other camera movement techniques such as panning and zooming. What are their unique effects?
  • While tracking shots involve moving the camera along a path to follow subjects or action, panning is about rotating the camera horizontally on a fixed axis. Zooming, on the other hand, changes the focal length of the lens to make subjects appear closer or farther away without moving the camera itself. Tracking shots create an immersive experience by actively engaging with the scene's environment, whereas panning provides context within a fixed location and zooming alters perspective without physical movement.
• Evaluate the significance of tracking shots in contemporary cinema and how they influence audience perception and narrative techniques.
  • In contemporary cinema, tracking shots hold significant value as they can manipulate audience perception and enhance narrative techniques in various ways. By drawing viewers into the action and creating seamless transitions between scenes, tracking shots can convey time and space more effectively than traditional cuts. This technique allows filmmakers to build tension and maintain momentum, encouraging audiences to remain engaged with the story as it unfolds in real-time. The artistic choices made through tracking shots often define a film's style and impact how stories are told visually.

Related terms

Dolly: A dolly is a wheeled cart or similar device used in filmmaking to create smooth camera movements during tracking shots.

Steadicam: A Steadicam is a stabilizing mount for cameras that allows for fluid, handheld shots while minimizing camera shake during movement.

Panning: Panning refers to the horizontal movement of a camera on a fixed axis to follow a subject or action within a scene.