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== Overview ==
== Overview ==
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.
'''Camera Movement''' in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] refers to how the virtual camera travels through a scene during a [[Shot|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]].


== 1. Purpose ==
== Why It Matters ==
* Establish mood and pacing in [[Scenes]]  
* Establishes mood (e.g., slow dolly = dramatic tension, shaky cam = chaos).  
* Emphasize key character actions or dialogue  
* Guides audience focus to key elements.  
* Transition smoothly between [[Story_Beats]]   
* Creates cinematic flow between [[Scenes|scenes]] and [[Shots|shots]].  
* Create visual tension or immersion  
* Matches genre conventions (handheld for horror, Steadicam for action, aerials for epics).  


== 2. Types of Camera Movement ==
== Supported Camera Movements ==
* '''Pan:''' Horizontal rotation of the camera  
* '''Pan''' – Rotate left/right from a fixed point.  
* '''Tilt:''' Vertical rotation (up or down)  
* '''Tilt''' – Move camera angle up/down while staying in place.  
* '''Dolly:''' Camera moves closer or farther from subject  
* '''Dolly''' – Move camera closer/further (in/out) along rails.  
* '''Truck (Track):''' Camera moves sideways, parallel to subject  
* '''Truck (Tracking)''' – Move camera sideways (left/right).  
* '''Crane (Jib):''' Vertical lift of camera through space  
* '''Crane / Jib''' – Lift camera up/down smoothly.  
* '''Handheld:''' Adds realism or tension with shaky motion  
* '''Handheld''' – Shaky movement simulating handheld rigs.  
* '''Steadicam:''' Smooth, stable following shots  
* '''Steadicam''' – Smooth movement following a subject.  
* '''Zoom:''' Lens adjustment to change focal length   
* '''Zoom''' – Change focal length (not physical movement, but often combined).  
* '''Rack Focus Movement:''' Shift focus between foreground and background  
* '''Rack Focus with Movement''' – Shift focus while moving toward/away from subject.  
* '''Complex Moves:''' Combinations (e.g., dolly + pan)  
* '''Drone / Aerial''' – Simulate overhead or sweeping drone shots.   


== 3. AI-Assisted Features ==
== How to Use in ACT 3 AI ==
* Automated movement suggestions based on [[Script_Editor|script cues]]   
# Open your [[Editor|Editor]] or [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard]].  
* Preset templates: “dramatic reveal,” “slow emotional push,” “action chase”  
# Select a [[Shot|shot]] and enter movement into the prompt (e.g., “dolly in on hero’s face as music swells”).  
* Motion continuity enforcement across [[Storyboard_Panels]]   
# Choose rendering engine ([[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3]], [[Runway|Runway Integration]], [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]).  
* Real-time previews inside [[Editor]]   
# Preview the movement in [[Timeline|Timeline]] or generate a [[Draft_Previews|draft preview]]. 
# Adjust prompt wording until you achieve the desired look.  


== 4. Controls ==
== Example Prompts ==
* Speed (slow creep, rapid whip-pan, natural pacing)  
* “Tracking shot following the character down a neon-lit alley, Steadicam smoothness.”  
* Direction (left, right, up, down, forward, backward)  
* “Slow dolly in toward the table as the detective reveals the evidence.”  
* Intensity (subtle drift vs dramatic swing)  
* “Handheld close-up of astronaut breathing heavily, shaky and tense.”  
* Focus lock (track [[Digital_Actors]] or objects) 
* “Drone aerial sweeping across desert landscape at sunset.”  
* Curves & easing (linear, ease-in, ease-out)  


== 5. Workflow ==
== Integration with Workflow ==
# Open [[Shot]] in [[Editor]]   
* [[Script_Editor|Script Editor]] – Add movement notes in parentheticals. 
# Select **Camera Movement** tab 
* [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]] – Place cameras and draw paths to simulate dolly/tracking shots.  
# Choose a preset (e.g., “Slow Dolly In”) or create custom motion path 
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboards & Panels]] – Visualize movement frame by frame.  
# Preview result in [[Storyboard_Panels]] or [[Top_Down_View]]  
* [[Build_Video|Build Video]] – Finalize sequence flow with multiple moving shots.  
# Finalize before [[Build_Video]] for rendering continuity  


== 6. Integration ==
== Best Practices ==
* Works with Camera Setup and [[Lighting]]  
* Keep movement instructions short and cinematic (10–15 words).  
* Syncs with [[Digital_Actors]] to maintain framing  
* Match movement to emotion — fast pans for urgency, slow dollies for intimacy.  
* Supports output to [[Google_Veo_3]], [[Runway]], and [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]
* Break complex movements into multiple [[Shots|shots]] rather than one overloaded prompt. 
* Use [[Timeline|timeline scrub]] to refine pacing between movements. 


== 7. Roadmap ==
== Troubleshooting ==
* Procedural camera choreography driven by [[Story_Beats]] 
* '''Movement feels unnatural''' → Try simpler instructions or break into two shots.  
* Multi-camera setups for live editing simulation  
* '''AI ignores camera direction''' → Use standard cinematography terms (pan, tilt, dolly).  
* AI style-matching with famous directors’ camera moves  
* '''Too much shake in handheld''' → Specify “light handheld” vs “intense shaky cam.”  
* Export of movement paths for external 3D software (e.g., Blender, Unreal)  


----
== See Also ==
* [[Camera_Instructions|Camera Instructions]] 
* [[Shot_Prompting|Shot Prompting]] 
* [[Shots]] · [[Scenes]] · [[Story_Beats|Story Beats]] 
* [[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>
[[Category:ACT 3 AI Features]]
[[Category:Cinematography Tools]]
 
[https://act3ai.com/contact Contact Us] if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.

Revision as of 06:16, 27 August 2025

Camera Movement

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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