Dolly Track
Definition
Dolly Track (also called "track" or "rails") consists of specially designed metal rails laid on the floor (or on a raised platform) along which the camera dolly travels to create smooth, controlled camera movements. The track is typically laid by the grip department before filming begins and must be perfectly level to ensure smooth dolly moves. Dolly track comes in straight sections and curved sections, allowing for a wide variety of camera paths. The length of the track determines the range of the dolly move.
Contextual Usage
The key grip assesses the location: "The floor in this room is very uneven, which is going to make laying dolly track challenging. I'm going to need to use a lot of wedges and shims to level the track. Give me about 45 minutes to get it laid and leveled properly before we start the dolly shots."
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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