Tracking shot

In motion picture terminology, a tracking shot (also known as a dolly shot or trucking shot) is a segment in which the camera is mounted on a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken. One may dolly in on a stationary subject for emphasis, or dolly out, or dolly beside a moving subject (an action known as "dollying with"). Cabiria was the first popular film to use dolly shots, which in fact were originally called "Cabiria movements" by contemporary filmmakers influenced by the film; however, some smaller American and English films prior to 1914 had used the technique prior to Cabiria. ^[1]

The tracking shot can include smooth movements forward, backward, along the side of the subject, or on a curve. It cannot include simple or complex pivoting movements, aerial shots or crane shots. ^[2]

Tracking shots are often confused with the long take or sequence shots.

References

^ Salt, Barry. Film Style and Technology: History and Analysis. Starword Press, 2003.
^ Kawin, Bruce. How Movies Work University of California Press, 1992.

2. Article: Daily Film Dose: The Long Take [1]

[salt-1] Salt, Barry. Film Style and Technology: History and Analysis. Starword Press, 2003.

[kawin-2] Kawin, Bruce. How Movies Work University of California Press, 1992.

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