Camera Movement

A pan is where the camera stays in one place (stationary), and is directed to sweep to the left or right. This is usually used to reveal more information, action, or character. When a Pan goes from left to right in the same shot, or vice versa, it is called a Whip Pan.

A tilt is when the camera is stationary, and is directed to sweep up or down. This is usually used to reveal more information, action, or character.

A tracking shot is where the camera actually moves forward, backwards or left and right. This movement brings the audience into the action, almost like they were following, leading or walking alongside the action.

The crane shot is where the camera almost floats in the air. It is similar to the other movements, but is usually characterised by its up and down movements (as well as panning or tilting). A crane shot is complex and difficult to set up, so it is used sparingly for very important shots.

Handicam is a shot type that is characterised by its jittery or jerky movements because it is not on a tripod or other stable mount...similar to how it looks when you film with your cellphone. Can also be called Jitter Cam. This shot type makes the audience feel like it is witnessing something (like amateur news footage), or viewing something from a characters perspective.

Zooming in or out can be similar to tracking in or out, but the action is performed with the lens rather than movement. Zooming out is often used to reveal more (because the frame starts to capture more of the subjects environment), and zooming in is used for emphasis (because the subject comes to dominate the frame). A very fast zoom (in or out) is called a Crash Zoom.