Screenwriter here! I have a specific camera motion in mind for a spec script I'm working on, and I have no idea what the move is called. It's proved difficult to google...
Basically, it's a shot where the camera is focused on a subject, and it rotates around the subject with the subject as the rotation point. Picture a circle with a dot in the middle. The camera starts at 0 degrees, and, while keeping the subject in frame, rotates around the subject in order to show something next to them that was previously unable to be seen at the camera's origin point.
I'm very sorry for any confusion when describing this, I am woefully under-educated when it comes to cinematography. Thanks in advance for any help!
I'll try to find a shot that conveys what I'm talking about in the meantime...
I think you are talking about "Arc shot". In this film's teaser the protagonist is shown standing with that shot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRJTTMMmZw
Simple rule: leave out camera directions. It's best to leave the actual production/filming techniques to the director and DP. As a writer it's your job to tell a great story!
Lindbergh E Hollingsworth Sure, but I wanted to have the note in there so I remembered it. If it progresses, of course things like camera movements will be out of my hands, but while it's in 'spec' stage, I wanted to have it there.
Rohit Kumar Yep! The shot around 0:38 is almost exactly what I'm looking for, thank you!
Also, that film looks awesome...
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Ryan Anzaldi When you were explaining I realized what you were looking for. The movie name is Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. It's an Indian Telugu language movie. There are many such shots in this movie. You might like it's fight scene too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XfbA0fu6G8 . Enjoy!
Yeah when you are writing we mostly don't write that as Arc Shot either in script or specs too. It's just how cinematographer choose for different situation. Since the POVs changes based on what seems better for that time.
For example, in the above fight video you can see the POVs they change it but mostly concentrate on the character but as filmmaker I can go for changing different POV keeping the frame for different emotional impact. This action movie isn't mine, but it got similar idea from my bucket lists too which I liked someone executing so well.
So when writing see what POVs methods you can use to write. This link might help https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/question-how-to-handle-pov-shots-c25c...
Or you can check how Arc shots can be written in scripts. May be someone more professional scriptwriter will help. I'm not professional.
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This is few famous shot lists for your later help in case you require http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2016/15-camera-shots-movie-fan-should-know/I'm filmmaker so I don't mind if scriptwriter writes it. I'm more flexible accepting guy. Even I have been writing an action script and I only write for myself so I have written arc shots for my action scenes too.. So it depends on whom you are selling the script. Best of luck
Score one for Rohit! I was thinking the camera rotates top to bottom from your description, Ryan, which is popular with music videos right now. It's called the "camera roll" apparently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyBo-qLDeM
Also, I would second the recommendation from Lindbergh E Hollingsworth, especially in a spec script - trying to direct the camera as a writer shows you trying to control something you're not responsible for. In indie filmmaking where you'll have more influence over the finished product, possibly even direct it yourself, it's not so "offensive", but as a calling card like a spec script? Yeah, they'll see it as a weakness.
Thanks for all the support, gang. I understand that this isn't typically included in scripts, I just wanted it in my notes for future reference, as well as learn some new lingo that I was unable to find despite a reasonable amount of googling... arc shots just don't seem to be highlighted on google without knowing their name.
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Karen "Kay" Ross Thanks Karen. I feel Ryan Anzaldi and any screenwriter can write the camera movement in their own unique ways. Like in this scene i would write action like "As we see Karen is standing holding flag on top of fort we can see the vast Kingdom she protecting behind her as we circle around(arc shot) her ".
You know just sneak a way of how we have a pov shots written. I feel people/production houses/directors got to chill a bit even if someone writes camera shots. These are no world war movements to fret about. Chill pill you know.or sing a kutty story song like this . Listen its fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCNqPgXDYhY
:-)
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I do not believe there is any universal term for this shot. Most common name I’ve been subjected to for this move is an “Arc Shot”, but it is far from common. A few other names I’ve heard the move called are: “a 360˚ ”, “dolly ‘round”, “pivot around on” “revolve around”, etc. If you describe the shot well, as you have, everyone will get it and can get onto doing it as opposed to talking about it. Describing the shot takes the guessing out of the idea. Whether you need to include that description in which version of a script, is a quite different question.
I’ve worked all over the world and much of the terminology used in our industry is local. Very very local. Slang terms abound. Seems to come from the attitude that if you and all of your friends (both of them) call something by a name, then that is its official worldwide name forever. For equipment the manufacturers name, ie Arri SkyPanel, or generic type name, ie C-Stand, works well. For subjects like camera movement, a full accurate description takes much of the guessing out of understanding the intent.
I use a similar shot when flying my drone the subject can either be static or moving and I fly the drone around them either in an elliptical shape or a full circle. If you audio you would have to capture that separately and add it to the shot after or the drone noise will be picked up.
You could probably get away with just referring to it as the Michael Bay! lol
https://youtu.be/AIQHqvG9Ql8
These shots have been around forever. 20 years ago for the opening sequence of the series Flatland, I used a 360˚ track to shoot Dennis Hopper talking and then changing into his alter-ego in the show played by Kee Chan. We needed a way to make the change and came up with quick easy and accurate. Position the actors not in the center but near the track. As we dollied, the shot would tighten on the actor. We increased speed to get around behind them, there was a frame or two totally dark on the back of Dennis’ head. a quick dissolve and we came out on the other side to see Lee who was lip-syncing to Dennis’ voice. Quick easy and very effective. Having Al Ruddy, the producer, on the set making jokes made it a great memory. That discussion was always of a 360˚ track, never an “arc shot”.
The more I’ve thought about it and talked to a few people, the term “arc shot” is relatively new as in less than a decade. Then spread by the internet not the industry.
The shots are for effect. As long as they further the story and are competently created providing lots of production value. The more the camera circles around, the more important it is to plan how the lighting will be accomplished.