Dolly
Definition
A Dolly is a wheeled platform on which the camera (and often the camera operator) is mounted, allowing for smooth, controlled horizontal camera movements. Dollies are typically pushed along specially laid tracks (called "dolly track") by a grip known as the "Dolly Grip." A "dolly in" or "push in" moves the camera toward the subject, while a "dolly out" or "pull back" moves it away. Dolly shots are distinct from zoom shots, which achieve a similar visual effect through lens optics rather than physical camera movement.
Contextual Usage
The director describes the desired shot: "I want to start wide on the empty room, and then slowly dolly in toward the door as the character approaches it from the other side. The move should be almost imperceptible at first, building in speed as the tension rises."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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