crane shots
Sweeping aerial footage
A crane shot is a film technique where the camera moves vertically or sweeps through space on a mechanical arm, creating dramatic reveals or following action across different elevations.
The movement can soar above crowds, descend into scenes, or arc around subjects in ways handheld cameras cannot achieve: The crane shot pulled back to reveal the entire battlefield.
Digital effects now sometimes simulate the technique.
- camera movementRepositioning the filming device
- dollyWheeled moving platform
- jibTriangular sail forward
- boomLoud deep sound
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
sweeping · elevated · panoramic · tracking · film · long take · cinematography · height · soaring · descending · rising · movement · establishing · overhead · fluid · arc · swing · camera