The Camera Never Moves For Free

One of my issues with AI is that it likes to throw in camera movements unasked for - especially Seedance, which has the most “cinematic” feel of the current generation of video generators.

The end result is often that the camera is “overacting”, and when that’s combined with AI’s tendency to make characters overact, everything can just feel like it’s too much.

I think moving the camera should be a really conscious choice. There’s no need to do it - if you look at old films, the camera hardly ever moves because it was just too big. It worked absolutely fine, although of course it’s limiting.

When you’re thinking about camera placement and movement, the key thing to work out is whose point of view is this? If you’re telling the story of a scared child, a grand sweeping crane shot is not going to tell their point of view (but maybe it tells the view of their rich parents, who are not giving them the attention that they should because they’re impressing their friends?)

Beginners pick a move because it looks cinematic. Directors pick a move because of what story it tells.

Nine Moves, Nine Intentions

Here’s 9 basic camera movements. If you are comfortable with Blender, every one of them is affordable - but if you’re shooting live action, some of them are likely to be out of your price range!

Pan. Camera rotates side to side from a fixed point. Reveals space or follows action without moving the base.

Tilt. Camera rotates up or down from a fixed point. Reveals height and scale, or builds a reaction shot.

Dolly. Camera physically moves toward or away from the subject. Draws the viewer in or pulls them back.

Track. Camera moves sideways, parallel to the subject. Keeps them centred while the world slides past.

Pedestal. Camera rises or lowers on its own axis, angle unchanged. Shifts vantage point without changing perspective.

Jib. Camera moves through vertical space on a crane arm. Sweeping, cinematic reveals in one continuous move.

Handheld. Operator carries the camera unstabilised. Adds urgency, rawness, a sense that anything could happen.

Steadicam. Stabilised rig, operator still walks with it. Smooth, floating movement that follows without cutting.

Orbit. Camera circles the subject. Makes them feel central, powerful, cornered, or watched, depending on speed.

It’s Cheat Sheet O’Clock!

Reading the list is one thing. Watching a real 3D camera perform each move next to an overhead diagram is another. Our interactive cheat sheet also has cost tiers and difficulty ratings for every move, so you know what's realistic on your budget before you plan the shot.