Camera movement. Same movement as the dolly but handheld.
Camera movement. Handheld. Entry to the space.
Camera movement. A zoom.
The Shoot – Start filming
Movement
To get a feeling of the space it is good to use camera movement. Make sure to take enough time for your pans and tilts. With film cameras, pan slowly so as not get a stuttering effect as the frame rate is 24 frames per second (fps). With video cameras, if you are shooting in interlaced footage this is not so much the problem as effectively you have more than double the frame rate. So, although from a technical point of view it is no longer necessary to use very slow pans, from esthetical point of view it is a good idea to follow the old conventions.
The following chart tells how long a 90 degree pan should be if the frame rate is 24 originally quoted from American Cinematographer's Manual.
Zoom*
4.2 mm
15 seconds
6 mm
8 seconds
6.5 mm
21 seconds
8 mm
23 seconds
10 mm
36 seconds
15 mm
50 seconds
20 mm
60 seconds
30 mm
80 seconds
40 mm
90 seconds
55 mm
120 seconds
* Going from the wide to tele. The focal length has been calculated for a 1/3 inch camera.
Pans and tilts are good but actual movement even better. When the angle and the position changes it gives a more comprehensive feel of the space. Avoid hand-held movement if you are not an experienced stable camera operator with a shoulder-mounted camera. If the budget allows for the use of a dolly and/or a crane, take this opportunity as these tools are very effective in giving a good sense of the space. Another option is to use one of the many steady-cam options available these days. When choosing a filming style it can work well to use camera movements that simulate the movement of a viewer in the space. But keep in mind, shaky footage will not work. So if in doubt use a good quality tripod and do smooth pans with it. Whether the camera movements should be slow and static or a bit quicker and mobile depends also on the subject that you are documenting.
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