dolly shot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Cinematic
Quick answer
What does “dolly shot” mean?
A camera movement where the entire camera is moved towards or away from the subject on a wheeled platform (a dolly), creating a smooth tracking shot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A camera movement where the entire camera is moved towards or away from the subject on a wheeled platform (a dolly), creating a smooth tracking shot.
Any smooth camera movement towards or away from a subject, regardless of the specific equipment used, used for dramatic emphasis, revelation, or to follow action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The terminology is standard in the global film industry.
Connotations
Professional, technical, precise. Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in professional contexts in both regions. Virtually unknown in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “dolly shot” in a Sentence
[Director/Cinematographer] + dolly shot + [towards/away from] + [object]The film features a + [adjective] + dolly shot + of + [scene].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dolly shot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director asked to dolly in slowly on the actor's face.
- We'll need to dolly out to reveal the full setting.
American English
- The DP decided to dolly in for the emotional climax.
- Let's dolly back as the character exits the room.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The dolly-shot sequence was rehearsed for hours.
- He is known for his innovative dolly-shot techniques.
American English
- The dolly shot move was executed perfectly.
- We need a dolly shot rig for this scene.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in film studies, media, and directing courses.
Everyday
Extremely rare unless discussing filmmaking.
Technical
Core term in cinematography, videography, and directing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dolly shot”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dolly shot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dolly shot”
- Confusing it with a 'zoom' (lens adjustment, no camera movement).
- Using it to describe any moving shot (e.g., a pan or handheld shot).
- Misspelling as 'dollyshot' (should be two words or hyphenated: 'dolly-shot').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A dolly shot involves physically moving the entire camera forward or backward, changing perspective. A zoom uses the lens to magnify the image without moving the camera, flattening the perspective.
It's a famous technique that combines a dolly shot with an opposing zoom (dolly in/zoom out or dolly out/zoom in), creating a disturbing distortion of space and perspective.
Yes, the smooth movement can be replicated with a steadicam, gimbal, slider, or even a wheelchair, but the term 'dolly shot' still applies to the type of movement.
Indirectly. The film equipment 'dolly' is named for its wheeled, cart-like structure, similar to a child's doll's cart or a hand-truck (also called a dolly).
A camera movement where the entire camera is moved towards or away from the subject on a wheeled platform (a dolly), creating a smooth tracking shot.
Dolly shot is usually technical, cinematic in register.
Dolly shot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒli ʃɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːli ʃɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The term itself is technical jargon.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child's DOLLY (toy cart) smoothly rolling towards a DOLL, capturing it on camera – a DOLLY SHOT.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CAMERA IS A VEHICLE (moving on a track/wheels).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a 'dolly out' shot?