How are Movements Used?

Directors use many different camera moments to give different emotions to the viewer. The first of these is a crane down, which makes the viewer feel as if they have been dropped into the characters world or dropped into the scene. Another is a crane up, in which the viewer is shown how small the character is or how large their obstacle is.  When a camera moves from a very high shot to a very low one this is called a high crane to low angle making the character look strong and opposing, giving off a feeling of authority. Handheld camera movement create a feeling of uneasiness or danger. A quick pan changes the emotional direction of a scene immediately, usually showing a danger that a character must overcome. A quick pushing creates a feeling of surprise or shock. A slow camera dolly in creates tension and intimacy with the character, either making the character uncomfortable or showing the emotion of that character. A slow dolly out makes the character seem lost and abandoned making the viewer feel empathy for them. A dolly across reveals action or changes the emotional direction of a scene. A smooth glide camera shot creates a dance feeling, making the shoot feel epic and dream like.  A handheld glide camera shot feels more stressful. A glide cam three-sixty creates a feeling of a calm before a storm. A zolly creates an overwhelming emotional feeling. All of these different camera movements can dramatically change how the viewer takes a scene creating a tension or emotion that would not otherwise be achieved.