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(Created page with "= Camera Movement = == Overview == Camera Movement in ACT 3 AI defines how the virtual camera travels or shifts within a Shot or Scene. Movement adds rhythm, emotion, and energy, allowing directors to guide the audience’s perspective. Integrated with Cinematography, Lighting, and Camera_Angles, it is one of the most powerful storytelling tools. == 1. Purpose == * Establish mood and pacing in Scenes * Emphasize key character action...")
 
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= Camera Movement =
== Overview ==
'''Camera Movement''' in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] refers to how the virtual camera travels through a scene during a [[Shots|shot]]. 
By defining movement, you can control pacing, emotion, and perspective, just like in traditional cinematography. 
These instructions are entered as part of [[Camera_Instructions|camera instructions]] in the [[Editor|Editor workspace]] or [[Shot_Prompting|shot prompts]].


== Overview ==
== Why It Matters ==
Camera Movement in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] defines how the virtual camera travels or shifts within a [[Shot]] or [[Scene]]. Movement adds rhythm, emotion, and energy, allowing directors to guide the audience’s perspective. Integrated with [[Cinematography]], [[Lighting]], and [[Camera_Angles]], it is one of the most powerful storytelling tools.
* Establishes mood (e.g., slow dolly = dramatic tension, shaky cam = chaos). 
* Guides audience focus to key elements.
* Creates cinematic flow between [[Scenes|scenes]] and [[Shots|shots]]. 
* Matches genre conventions (handheld for horror, Steadicam for action, aerials for epics).


== 1. Purpose ==
== Supported Camera Movements ==
* Establish mood and pacing in [[Scenes]]  
* '''Pan''' – Rotate left/right from a fixed point. 
* Emphasize key character actions or dialogue  
* '''Tilt''' – Move camera angle up/down while staying in place. 
* Transition smoothly between [[Story_Beats]]  
* '''Dolly''' – Move camera closer/further (in/out) along rails.  
* Create visual tension or immersion  
* '''Truck (Tracking)''' – Move camera sideways (left/right).  
* '''Crane / Jib''' – Lift camera up/down smoothly.  
* '''Handheld''' – Shaky movement simulating handheld rigs. 
* '''Steadicam''' – Smooth movement following a subject. 
* '''Zoom''' – Change focal length (not physical movement, but often combined). 
* '''Rack Focus with Movement''' – Shift focus while moving toward/away from subject. 
* '''Drone / Aerial''' – Simulate overhead or sweeping drone shots.  


== 2. Types of Camera Movement ==
== How to Use in ACT 3 AI ==
* '''Pan:''' Horizontal rotation of the camera  
# Open your [[Editor|Editor]] or [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard]].  
* '''Tilt:''' Vertical rotation (up or down)   
# Select a [[Shots|shot]] and enter movement into the prompt (e.g., “dolly in on hero’s face as music swells”).  
* '''Dolly:''' Camera moves closer or farther from subject 
# Choose rendering engine ([[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3]], [[Runway|Runway Integration]], [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]).  
* '''Truck (Track):''' Camera moves sideways, parallel to subject 
# Preview the movement in [[Timeline|Timeline]] or generate a draft preview.  
* '''Crane (Jib):''' Vertical lift of camera through space  
# Adjust prompt wording until you achieve the desired look.
* '''Handheld:''' Adds realism or tension with shaky motion  
* '''Steadicam:''' Smooth, stable following shots 
* '''Zoom:''' Lens adjustment to change focal length 
* '''Rack Focus Movement:''' Shift focus between foreground and background 
* '''Complex Moves:''' Combinations (e.g., dolly + pan) 


== 3. AI-Assisted Features ==
== Example Prompts ==
* Automated movement suggestions based on [[Script_Editor|script cues]]  
* “Tracking shot following the character down a neon-lit alley, Steadicam smoothness.”  
* Preset templates: “dramatic reveal,” “slow emotional push,” “action chase”  
* “Slow dolly in toward the table as the detective reveals the evidence.”
* Motion continuity enforcement across [[Storyboard_Panels]] 
* “Handheld close-up of astronaut breathing heavily, shaky and tense.”   
* Real-time previews inside [[Editor]]  
* “Drone aerial sweeping across desert landscape at sunset.”  


== 4. Controls ==
== Integration with Workflow ==
* Speed (slow creep, rapid whip-pan, natural pacing)  
* [[Script_Editor|Script Editor]] – Add movement notes in parentheticals.  
* Direction (left, right, up, down, forward, backward)  
* [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]] – Place cameras and draw paths to simulate dolly/tracking shots.  
* Intensity (subtle drift vs dramatic swing)  
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboards & Panels]] – Visualize movement frame by frame.  
* Focus lock (track [[Digital_Actors]] or objects) 
* [[Build_Video|Build Video]] – Finalize sequence flow with multiple moving shots.  
* Curves & easing (linear, ease-in, ease-out)  


== 5. Workflow ==
== Best Practices ==
# Open [[Shot]] in [[Editor]]  
* Keep movement instructions short and cinematic (10–15 words).  
# Select **Camera Movement** tab 
* Match movement to emotion — fast pans for urgency, slow dollies for intimacy.   
# Choose a preset (e.g., “Slow Dolly In”) or create custom motion path  
* Break complex movements into multiple [[Shots|shots]] rather than one overloaded prompt.  
# Preview result in [[Storyboard_Panels]] or [[Top_Down_View]]   
* Use [[Timeline|timeline scrub]] to refine pacing between movements.  
# Finalize before [[Build_Video]] for rendering continuity  


== 6. Integration ==
== Troubleshooting ==
* Works with [[Camera Setup]] and [[Lighting]]  
* '''Movement feels unnatural''' → Try simpler instructions or break into two shots.  
* Syncs with [[Digital_Actors]] to maintain framing  
* '''AI ignores camera direction''' → Use standard cinematography terms (pan, tilt, dolly).  
* Supports output to [[Google_Veo_3]], [[Runway]], and [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]  
* '''Too much shake in handheld''' → Specify “light handheld” vs “intense shaky cam.”  


== 7. Roadmap ==
== See Also ==
* Procedural camera choreography driven by [[Story_Beats]]   
* [[Camera_Instructions|Camera Instructions]] 
* Multi-camera setups for live editing simulation  
* [[Shot_Prompting|Shot Prompting]] 
* AI style-matching with famous directors’ camera moves  
* [[Shots]] · [[Scenes]] · [[Story_Beats|Story Beats]]   
* Export of movement paths for external 3D software (e.g., Blender, Unreal)  
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard & Panels]] 
* [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]]  
* [[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3 Integration]] 
* [[Runway|Runway Integration]]  
* [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]  


----


<small>See also: [[Camera_Angles]], [[Cinematography]], [[Lighting]], [[Editor]]</small>
[https://act3ai.com/contact Contact Us] if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.

Latest revision as of 16:34, 27 August 2025

Overview

Camera Movement in ACT 3 AI refers to how the virtual camera travels through a scene during a shot. By defining movement, you can control pacing, emotion, and perspective, just like in traditional cinematography. These instructions are entered as part of camera instructions in the Editor workspace or shot prompts.

Why It Matters

  • Establishes mood (e.g., slow dolly = dramatic tension, shaky cam = chaos).
  • Guides audience focus to key elements.
  • Creates cinematic flow between scenes and shots.
  • Matches genre conventions (handheld for horror, Steadicam for action, aerials for epics).

Supported Camera Movements

  • Pan – Rotate left/right from a fixed point.
  • Tilt – Move camera angle up/down while staying in place.
  • Dolly – Move camera closer/further (in/out) along rails.
  • Truck (Tracking) – Move camera sideways (left/right).
  • Crane / Jib – Lift camera up/down smoothly.
  • Handheld – Shaky movement simulating handheld rigs.
  • Steadicam – Smooth movement following a subject.
  • Zoom – Change focal length (not physical movement, but often combined).
  • Rack Focus with Movement – Shift focus while moving toward/away from subject.
  • Drone / Aerial – Simulate overhead or sweeping drone shots.

How to Use in ACT 3 AI

  1. Open your Editor or Storyboard.
  2. Select a shot and enter movement into the prompt (e.g., “dolly in on hero’s face as music swells”).
  3. Choose rendering engine (Google Veo 3, Runway Integration, WAN AI Integration).
  4. Preview the movement in Timeline or generate a draft preview.
  5. Adjust prompt wording until you achieve the desired look.

Example Prompts

  • “Tracking shot following the character down a neon-lit alley, Steadicam smoothness.”
  • “Slow dolly in toward the table as the detective reveals the evidence.”
  • “Handheld close-up of astronaut breathing heavily, shaky and tense.”
  • “Drone aerial sweeping across desert landscape at sunset.”

Integration with Workflow

Best Practices

  • Keep movement instructions short and cinematic (10–15 words).
  • Match movement to emotion — fast pans for urgency, slow dollies for intimacy.
  • Break complex movements into multiple shots rather than one overloaded prompt.
  • Use timeline scrub to refine pacing between movements.

Troubleshooting

  • Movement feels unnatural → Try simpler instructions or break into two shots.
  • AI ignores camera direction → Use standard cinematography terms (pan, tilt, dolly).
  • Too much shake in handheld → Specify “light handheld” vs “intense shaky cam.”

See Also


Contact Us if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.

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