Definition
A tracking shot is a camera movement where the camera physically moves through space to follow a subject or reveal an environment. Unlike a pan (which rotates the camera on a fixed axis), a tracking shot involves the entire camera body traveling along a path — on a dolly, a track, a Steadicam, a gimbal, or a vehicle.
The term "tracking" comes from the metal tracks historically laid on the ground for the camera dolly to roll on, though modern tracking shots are often achieved without physical tracks.
Variations
Forward tracking (push in). The camera moves toward the subject, increasing intimacy and focus. Often used to build tension or draw attention to a character's emotion.
Backward tracking (pull out). The camera moves away from the subject, revealing more of the environment. Used to show context, create distance, or end a scene.
Lateral tracking. The camera moves sideways, parallel to the subject's path of movement. The classic use is following a character walking down a street or through a corridor.
Dolly shot. A specific type of tracking shot using a wheeled platform (dolly) on tracks. Produces extremely smooth, controlled movement.
Steadicam/gimbal shot. Handheld tracking using stabilization equipment. Allows the camera to follow subjects through spaces where tracks cannot be laid — stairs, crowds, doorways, uneven terrain.
When to Use in Storyboards
Following characters. When a character moves through a space and the audience needs to move with them — walking through a house, running down an alley, navigating a crowd.
Building tension. A slow forward track toward a character's face builds dread more effectively than a static close-up because the movement itself creates anticipation.
Revealing environments. A lateral tracking shot through a factory, a battlefield, or a party reveals the scope of a setting in a way that a static wide shot cannot match.
Continuous action. When an action sequence needs to flow without cuts, tracking shots maintain spatial continuity and keep the audience oriented.
Famous Film Examples
The Copacabana shot in Goodfellas (1990) is one of cinema's most celebrated tracking shots. The camera follows Henry Hill and Karen through the back entrance of the nightclub, through the kitchen, past the staff, and into the dining room — all in a single unbroken take. The shot communicates Henry's access, status, and the seductive power of his lifestyle.
In Children of Men (2006), Alfonso Cuaron uses extended tracking shots during the battle sequences to immerse the audience in the chaos of combat without the escape of a cut.
Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980) uses Steadicam tracking shots through the corridors of the Overlook Hotel, following Danny on his tricycle. The smooth, relentless forward motion creates an inescapable sense of dread.
Storyboard Notation
In a storyboard, indicate a tracking shot with an arrow showing the camera's path of movement, plus start and end frame panels showing the first and last composition. Label it "Track L" (left), "Track R" (right), "Push in," or "Pull out" with notes on speed and duration. When using AI storyboard tools, generate separate panels for the start and end of the tracking shot to define the movement range.
Genkee's Storyboard Agent can generate start and end frames for tracking shots, helping you plan complex camera movements within your storyboard sequence.