Dolly Shot
A camera movement where the camera is mounted on a wheeled platform (dolly) that rolls along a track for smooth motion.
Definition
A dolly shot is a filmmaking technique where the camera moves horizontally by being placed on a wheeled cart — called a dolly — that typically rolls along a set of tracks. This creates smooth, controlled lateral or forward/backward movement that is distinct from handheld or steadicam work.
Dolly shots come in several variations: a dolly-in moves toward the subject to build intensity, a dolly-out pulls away to reveal context, and a dolly alongside follows a walking or running subject. The technique can also be combined with zoom for the famous "dolly zoom" or "Vertigo effect."
Why It Matters
Dolly shots add cinematic quality and visual sophistication to any production. The smooth, controlled movement directs audience attention and creates emotional impact that static shots or digital zooms cannot achieve.
Understanding dolly technique is fundamental to visual storytelling. Directors and cinematographers use dolly movement to reveal information, build tension, follow characters, and create visual rhythm within scenes.
Examples in Practice
A director uses a slow dolly-in during a tense dialogue scene, gradually tightening the frame as the conversation escalates, creating subconscious tension for the audience.
A music video features a continuous dolly shot alongside a performer walking down a street, with the entire world changing around them to represent the passage of time.
A filmmaker creates the iconic "dolly zoom" effect — dollying backward while zooming in — to visually convey a character's moment of sudden realization.