The Steadicam® Operator's Handbook

Telling the story

Focusing attention

A lock off says “look exactly at this.” A moving shot that tracks exactly with a subject can do the same thing. Pinning the subject in one spot in the frame during a pan also focuses the audience's attention. These techniques almost have the same effect as coming to a stop on the subject, as the subject has ceased to move in the frame.

As the Steadicam operator, you are able to offer thousands of options to the director and editor. You can provide deliberate cut points by stopping the camera's movement, pinning the subject, etc. On the other hand, you might choose not to modulate your movement or deliberately pin the subject, making it difficult for the editor to cut into the Steadicam shot. You must decide ...