What are tracking shots? Specifically, what is a "long tracking shot"? As opposed to a short one?
I could be wrong but I think it is when the camera is on a dolly that is on tracks to ensure the shot is smooth as the camera moves.
The term is thrown around a lot (especially after the invention of steadycams and such) so I may be off slightly.
Compare it to the term panning (camera stays in the same spot (often on a tripod) but pivots to follow the action) and tilt, camera pans up or down rather than side to side.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
I was reading that Martin Scorsesee is a big user of the "long tracking shot" and is said to be a master at it. But, I mean how... hard would that be if you have the equipment? I guess, with everything, there are subtle nuances.
Tracking shots follow alongside the action and there are different ways of achieving this shot. The downside to shooting these shots is that it can be very tough to get it right from beginning to end and may result in a lot of wasted effort, time and money trying to get it right. Always shoot coverage from other angles in case you need to edit out portions of the shot that don't work for whatever reason. If you only shot the long tracking shot then you would have no other choice but to use it. Cover it.
Being a master at long tracking shots has nothing to do with the use of equipment. As you point out, anyone with the equipment has the capability of doing a long tracking shot. Becoming a master at using these is similar to becoming a master using any piece of equipment. Anyone can sit at a piano - few are a master at using it. Anyone can buy a camera - few are masters using it.
The others are correct. A tracking shot is when the camera and the subject are both moving together. A tracking shot can be hand-held or on a dolly, in a car, on a wheelchair or a stedicam - doesn't matter as long as both the camera and subject are movie together. A long tracking shot as opposed to a short tracking shot is pretty self explanatory.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
While I've never actually seen any, I've heard Quentin Tarantino's films have excellent examples of tracking shots. Actually, on YouTube, I think there was a scene from Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill Vol. 1 that where pretty long shots. 5 and 2 minutes, respectivly, I believe.
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Tracking vs steadycam. In Pulp Fiction when they first walk into Jack-Rabbit slims there is a long shot following Travolta to the table. I'm not sure if it's tracking or steadycam (i assume steadycam as they aren't stepping over tracks) or if it even matters for this discussion.
Thing is it's so smooth you don't think about it unless you're into film. It just works without being show-offish.
In Reservoir Dogs he had a nice steadycam circling around the table at the start as the guys are talking but that one came off as show-offish to me. The camera was either lucky or managed to be aimed at everyone as they spoke. It was really well timed.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
quote:
Originally posted by rjschwarz
Tracking vs steadycam. In Pulp Fiction when they first walk into Jack-Rabbit slims there is a long shot following Travolta to the table. I'm not sure if it's tracking or steadycam (i assume steadycam as they aren't stepping over tracks) or if it even matters for this discussion.
A tracking shot is when the camera and the subject are both moving together. A tracking shot can be hand-held or on a dolly, in a car, on a wheelchair or a stedicam - doesn't matter as long as both the camera and subject are moving together
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
By that definition Pulp Fictions shot is a text book tracking shot and the shot in Reservoir Dogs is not.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Steadycam? That's probably just a tripod with wheels like newsrooms use? Right?
quote:
Originally posted by agvkrioni
Steadycam? That's probably just a tripod with wheels like newsrooms use? Right?
No.
http://www.steadicam.com/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steadicam
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/steadicam/steadicam.htm
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
