There are many ways to move the camera in film, but the most iconic is the crane shot.
The crane shot has been a cinematic staple for all generations of filmmakers. It not only adds great production value but offers a unique perspective with endless story-telling possibilities.
In this article, we look at what they are, where you’ve seen them, and things to think about when aiming for the perfect crane shot.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the details of this impressive camera move.
What is a Crane Shot?
Simply put, a crane shot is when the camera physically moves up or down, toward or away from the subject. A few terms in the industry are used interchangeably such as crane shots, jib shots, and pedestal shots.
Crane shots can be used at any time during a film but more often than not you’ve seen them at the start of or at the end as the subject rides off into the sunset.
In addition to this, they can be combined with other movements such as dolly, sweep, pan, tilt, and zoom.
Why Use Them?
In short, the crane shot can make any shot look amazing. It’s one of the most effective ways to add a cinematic feel to your project. It be used in a variety of ways:
- Open & End Film
- Establishing Location
- Give Power To Subject
- Introduce Character
- Set Pace & Tone
- Compositional Reframing
- Create Parallax Effect
Depending on the goal of the shot they can be pretty basic or complex with many moving parts. However, if done well it offers a unique perspective that shapes the viewer’s experience.
Films With Awesome Crane Shots
Next, we look at a variety of scenes that use the crane shot to great effect.
Breaking Bad (2013)
In the final top down shot from Breaking Bad, we see a wounded Walter White dead on the ground of a meth lab. Once a place where he felt his best will eventually cost him everything.
This crane shot starts with a close-up of his face wearing a subtle smile, the camera slowly booms up in a corkscrew twist. He reflects on all the decisions that led him to this tragic end, while several officers clear the crime scene.
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
In this establishing crane shot from Shawshank Redemption you see a bus full of convicts enter the driveway of a maximum security prison. The crane shot evolves into an aerial bird’s eye view revealing the confined quarters behind the entrance where fellow inmates are soon to be introduced.
Forrest Gump (1994)
In this intro from Forrest Gump, you see a feather blowing in the wind, towards the main character in one long crane shot. The same at the end of the film, the feather cranes up from Forrest’s newfound place in this world, and is carried away by the wind representing the circle of life.
Gone With The Wind (1939)
At the end of Gone with the Wind, you see a medium shot of Scarlett O’Hara walking into a sea of wounded soldiers. This was at a time when crane shots like this had never been done before.
It consisted of hundreds of extras and large scale set-design. The cinematographers were hoisted up on a construction crane 80 feet in the air to achieve the most important shot of the film.
Dirty Work (1998)
At the beginning of Dirty Work, you see a graceful crane shot introducing a young Mitch (Norm McDonald) at school where he’s confronted by a bully. This friendly introduction cut with the consequences of his actions sets the tone for the rest of the film.
As you can see from the examples, there are many ways to utilize this type of camera movement. Below we explain in depth how to apply it to your next project.
How To Plan Your Crane Shot
One important thing to remember when considering a crane shot is to avoid saying “We’ll figure it out when we get there”. Improvisation might work with other areas of production but not with this type of shot.
For the sake of time, money, transporting equipment, and safety, you need to know what you want beforehand and how to achieve it. Ask yourself a few quick questions.
| What? | Why? |
|---|---|
| What do you want the beginning and end of the shot to look like? | This helps fill in the blanks between these two objectives. |
| What is the aim of the scene? | This helps define the crane movement, speed, length, and framing |
| What mini-story can unfold all within one shot? | This helps to think bigger picture |
| What is the character’s emotional state in the world they inhabit? | This helps to define the composition, set design, and staging |
Quick Pro Tips
Want to achieve a top-notch crane shot for your own film? here are a few easy tips.
- Pre-plan your shots in detail.
- Work out the distance of your movement.
- Confirm the direction of the shot and let your crew know.
- Do test shots beforehand.
- Use an external monitor.
- Exercise safety. Secure the base and counterweights.
- Choose a crane type that suits your budget, location, and vision. Don’t let the rest of your production suffer due to spending too much time on one shot.
- If don’t get the desired results at first then don’t be discouraged. Keep refining your technique, and you’ll see improvements.
- Have a backup plan for the shot.
A crane shot doesn’t have to be expensive or overcomplicated, but test shots and rehearsals are essential. In turn, you’ll save time on shoot day and be happy with the results during the editing stage. 👍
5 Main Crane Shot Elements
Want to take your crane shot to the next level? Here are a few more factors to consider when planning a crane camera movement.
1. Crane Length
The length of your crane shot determines how the viewer feels during the shot.
For example, a long crane one allows the viewers to absorb information and be drawn into the world created. Long one take shots also have the potential to tell a mini story with many moving parts.
A shorter crane shot can be empowering by lowering the camera angled upwards to the subject.
2. Synchronized Movement
Next, you have synchronized movement. This is where the camera is directly paired to the movement of the subject. Keeping a moving subject in a fixed area of the frame is visually interesting and produces a Parallax effect.
3. Parallax Effect
When the camera is moving with a subject in the foreground, depth perception makes the background seem as though the subject is moving faster than the background. This is called the Parallax effect.
This technique is also used to shift the background while the subject’s placement is anchored in the frame. See an example of this vertical parallax from Dune (2021) to reveal an army behind the leader.
4. Framing
Crane shots allow you to land on different compositions all in one shot. They can be long one take shots that tell a mini story with a concert of action all in one shot. Check out this intricate example from Spectre (2015).
Next, you have a simple reframing method. For example, this crane camera movement can be used to reveal a character from a close-up by starting on a boot stepping out of a car, then boom up to reveal the subject’s face.
5. Crane Speed
The speed of your crane shot will determine the tone of the shot. For instance, a sudden descent to reveal an aggressive character can immediately indicate that something is about to happen.
On the other hand, a slow movement lets the scene breathe while the viewer is brought closer to the action.
Essential Kit
A crane shot is achieved by mounting a camera on one end of a boom arm and counterweights on the other with a support base in the middle (like a seesaw). The base is usually a tripod or dolly system.
There are many ways to get a crane shot with or without a budget. Check out some of the latest ways below.
Crane or Jib
As a rule of thumb, the bigger the camera the bigger the crane you’ll need. Whichever you choose, you’ll want to set these up with the help of a camera assistant to safely counterbalance the camera. When properly balanced you should be able to move the crane with one finger.
Also if possible get yourself a monitor to see the image clearly. Operators will often try and guess when the camera moves out of view which means repeating takes and costing you more time. Here’s a few reasons to use one.
- Rock steady gear
- Completely silent, you can record dialogue on location
- You can use larger professional cameras
- Don’t need a license to operate one
- Great for both studio and on location
You can also use a super light carbon fiber crane that mounts to a tripod which is also travel friendly. Here’s a budget crane you can use with a basic fluid head tripod.
Techno-Crane
These are a popular choice amongst bigger productions due to their precision and smoothness. They allow the camera to move in and out as well as up and down. However, the only downside is they can be expensive.
The good news is that there are budget techno cranes with digital controls available. Check out this option below.
Slider + Tripod
Using a tripod with a slider at an angle is also a great way to create a smooth crane shot. The only drawback is that you’ll be limited to a short distance.
3-Axis Gimbal
Using a 3-Axis Gimbal or a stabilizer is also an option but the real limitation, from my own experience, is that you can only go as high as your hands will reach.
Handheld
If you’re really on a budget and don’t mind a little shake in your shot then going handheld is always an option. If you have a monopod and the camera is light then you could get an elevated shot and let the monopod slide through your hands. These are great for small reframing movements that add impact.
Drones
There’s no doubt about it, drones can achieve amazing crane shots with ease. However, there are a few pros and cons to consider based on the needs of your shoot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Quick setup time | ✘ Limited to small sensor footage (depending on the model) |
| ✔ Stabilized camera is very steady | ✘ Recording sound is almost impossible |
| ✔ Variety of shots are all within reach | ✘ Indoor shots are limited |
| ✔ Requires no floor space for operation | ✘ Dangerous when flying close to subjects |
| ✘ You can’t fly in unauthorized zones |
Wrapping Up
In short, the best way to get better at crane shots is to plan carefully, practice, and enjoy the process. In turn, you’ll refine your technique and discover unique ways to tell a cinematic story.
So now you’ve gained a greater understanding you’re fully equipped to add this iconic shot to your own film.
Next time you watch a movie, look for crane shots. Then, make notes about what you liked about them and how to add them to your next film.
