TZ26 - Basics of Tracking Shots

http://www.takezer0.com/2008/02/14/tz26-basics-of-tracking-shots/

Film buffs adore tracking shots the way the Guinness Book of World Records adore a hot dog eating champion. But tracking shots accomplish a lot more than meets the eye. As with Orson Welles' B-movie masterpiece, "Touch of Evil," the opening shot remains one of the most famous examples of a sustained tracking shot. Not only does it execute a glorious 3:30 shot in one stroke, but it becomes more than just a visual novelty.

Tracking shots lock the subject in a graceful choreography of camera and scenery, where the actors dance with the DP. While a hot dog champion is still a hot dog champion (but we still think they're cool).

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• tz
• take
• zero
• zer0
• sean
• peter
• tracking
• shot
• shots
• touch
• of
• evil
• orson
• welles
• basic
• basics
• goodfellas
• atonement

[markrsutcliffe]

Did you guys see Russian Ark? One 96 minute unbroken take! They only had one day to shoot it and got it right on only the third attempt. Anyway, I like your videos, the enthusiasm for cinema really comes through.

[esotericsean]

@markrsutcliffe Thanks :) Haven't seen Russian Ark, but definitely have heard of it!

[kieselsteinjoghurt]

The opening sequence of Boogie Nights by PTA is a sweet sweet tracking shot. Not sure you're allowed to see the movie, though...=)

Let me put that as eloquently as my English permits: I dig your sh*t! Keep it up.

[esotericsean]

@kieselsteinjoghurt Thanks! Rewatched Boogie Nights 3 times last week and was even inspired to shoot a little bokake (check out our most recent video).

This week, we shot some really cool tracking shots, so if you check out our website on Friday, you'll get to see some of our new stuff :)

[patbuddha]

This may seem blasphemous, but I think the studio got the Touch of Evil tracking shot right the first time (i.e. rolling credits over it.) Having the titles gives the shot a stronger sense of purpose. There's too many points in the shot where nothing is happening from a narrative or character standpoint. That sort of thing is perfectly appropriate for a credit sequence where you don't necessarily need or want to get too deep into the narrative, just enough to create a tableau.

[esotericsean]

Hmm, I disagree. I think there is quite a bit going on in the TOE tracking shot. Quite a lot of suspense, introducing characters, locations, themes. Having credits overlayed wouldn't be a bad thing, though.

[grallator]

The Children of Men tracking shot was amazing, even if it was split up or not. Totally had me sold. :D

[thatjamicanguy]

casino has great tracking shots

[lawnceWOO]

THank you guys for the great info and exmaples!!

i just started making videos myself.

and ive learnt alot from watching your vids, hopefully I CAN IMPROVE WITH TIME!

[chrophe]

Guys. It´s better to do another take than to risk losing a viewer which is very likely when you aren´t prepared and the sound is not very good.

[yutubecop]

interesting video, subbed.

it is quite helpful because im doing film for a level

[termc]

As noted by "esoteric..." there is a HUGE amount of development at all levels going on in that 3+ minutes. . . . not to mention that we are waiting for that bomb to detonate, and wondering whom it will blow up. I don't get the comment that there is little going on there. Makes no sense at all. But, then again, I'm not very smart, ha ha. . .