ABSTRACT
Camera moves which occur from a fixed spot, whether mounted on a tripod or handheld by a stationary camera operator, are called pivot camera moves and there are two principle pivot moves, the pan and the tilt. A dynamic camera is one which alters the frame by moving through the space of the scene—up, down, forward, sideways, backward, or a combination of these. Dynamic camera moves can infuse a moment with enormous energy, but they often require special equipment, extra crew to move the camera smoothly, and extra time to set up and rehearse the move. The handheld camera like the Steadicam shot, can do any pivot or dynamic move, and in any combination. Convincing camera movements, like their human-movement equivalents, never happen without a stimulus or motivation. Stabilizing systems are manufactured by many companies, especially for lighter DV cameras, but the Steadicam name is synonymous with a free-flowing dynamic camera movement.
