Shooting Better Video

Pan

A pan is the horizontal movement of the camera on a stationary pedestal or tripod. The command is usually "Pan right" or "Pan left", and is used to either reveal a setting or follow a subject. A pan should never wander aimlessly but should have a definite starting and ending point. If at all possible try to "motivate" the pan, for example by having a subject look off in a direction and then moving the camera to reveal what they see.

Most pans should be executed smoothly and slowly. Most beginners make the mistake of panning too frequently and too fast, leaving their audience disoriented. One exception is a special kind of pan called the swish pan or whip pan. This is a rapid move that looks like a swish on the screen. It is sometimes used for transitions or for other special effects.

Watch this example of a pan

A tilt is the vertical movement of the camera on a stationary pedestal or tripod. The command is usually "Tilt up" or "Tilt down", and is used to establish vertical subjects or to follow vertical movement. As with a pan, a tilt should have a definite starting and ending point.

Watch this example of a tilt