camera-movement-basics

name	camera-movement-basics
description	Use when adding camera movement. Movement adds energy; static framing adds gravitas.

Camera Movement Basics

Camera movement: pan, tilt, dolly, truck, zoom, handheld. Each has emotional/narrative meaning.

Movement types

1. Pan — horizontal sweep (left-right)
2. Tilt — vertical sweep (up-down)
3. Dolly — physical move forward/backward
4. Truck — physical move side-to-side
5. Pedestal — physical move up-down
6. Zoom — focal length change (less natural than dolly)
7. Handheld — natural shake, raw feel
8. Stabilized handheld — gimbal, smooth handheld
9. Steadicam — professional handheld stability

Movement emotion

Movement	Feel
Static (locked-off)	Stable, observational
Smooth pan	Curiosity, exploration
Sudden tilt up	Discovery, revelation
Slow dolly in	Intimacy, intensity
Fast dolly	Energy, action
Handheld	Raw, urgent, real
Smooth gimbal	Polished, cinematic
Zoom in	Emphasis (artificial)
Snap zoom	Drama, shock

Movement discipline

Don't:

1. Move just because you can
2. Zoom in/out as default
3. Pan back and forth (whip pans)
4. Move during dialogue (distracts)

Do:

1. Match movement to emotion
2. Hold static when needed
3. Move with intention
4. Practice operator skill

Where this fits in the X3 empire

Camera movement choices for CardPrepAI video composition.