tracking shot

plural tracking shots

1. broadcastingA continuously recorded segment containing no edits, in which the camera is moved (often mounted on a dolly rolling on tracks) so as to sweep through an extensive area or to follow the physical movement of characters or events.

   In a long tracking shot at the start of the film, a feral cat prowls this wasteland until it is felled by a slow-motion arrow.

   2010 January 25, Richard Corliss, “American Savior: Denzel Washington in Book of Eli”, in Time

   2 more examples

   A long, late-night tracking shot from one end of the Neon Boot bar to another actually tracks along the surface of the bar itself—and when there is a drunk passed out on the bar, the camera simply lifts up and flies over him, then continues on its route.

   1984 October 12, Janet Maslin, “Blood Simple, A black-comic romp”, in New York Times, retrieved 09 Jul 2012

   The lead-up to the battle was wonderfully done, starting with the long tracking shot that followed Sam and then Tyrion as they nervously took up their places for the fight.

   2019 April 28, Alex McLevy, “Game Of Thrones Suffers the Fog of War in the Battle against the Dead (Newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 31 May 2021

   Synonyms: trucking shot