I Love Tracking Shots

I have always loved tracking shots. When done right, the fluidity of the camera movement, the timing and work that goes into them results in cinematic magic. Some however are more successful than others; here is a list of my personal favorites.

 Kill Bill Vol. 1

The first time I think I was ever really aware of a tracking shot was in in my all time favorite move Kill Bill. I first realized I liked the shot well before attending film school, and before I even knew what a “tracking shot” was. The almost 2 minuet shot is relatively short compared with some of the other more famous ones, but still worth mentioning. The ambitious shot was done after 17 takes, but was completed in one day. “I got bounced around pretty good,” said Larry McConkey the veteran steadicam operator, “I never actually hit the ground, but I hit just about everything else.” 

Goodfellas

This is perhaps the most famous shot on the list, and the most well known. This iconic opining shot was however actually an accident. At this time in Scorsese didn’t even like to use steadicams, however when he was not allowed to go through the front door, he had to improvise. He decided to do the long shot through the back door to “symbolize Henry’s whole life being ahead of him, doors opening to him. It’s his seduction of Karen and it’s also the lifestyle seducing him.” This shot took eight painstaking takes to get right. 

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Boogie Nights

This film has two iconic tracking shots, the first taking a page form Goodfellas. It takes us around the Club and introducing us to many of the main characters in the film in a 3 minuet seen. Then next shot was later on in  the movie during a house party, it follows William H. Macy looking for his wife, and ends with the double murder of his wife and her lover, and his suicide. 

The Master

Paul Thomas Anderson has just released a new movie. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix has made quite the stir in the press as of late because of it's take on scientology. At first I was under the impression that this film would only be able to be seen in large urban areas due to it's limited release, but upon finding out that Cinemapolis would be showing the film this weekend I was ecstatic to say the least. My cousin was able to see an advanced screening of The Master about a month ago and has been raving about it, he kept talking about the sheer brilliance of the colors in the film. As a person who has the utmost admiration for cinematography, hearing about the aesthetic beauty of the film has made me even more excited. The only other Paul Thomas Anderson movie I have seen is Boogie Nights, which I truly enjoyed. This combination of Anderson and Phoenix should be a knockout, or at least that's what I'm hoping for. I am captivated by Joaquin Phoenix for a number of reasons, but most recently because of his  PR stunt to promote "I'm Still Here" his mockumentary/performance art piece about him pursuing a hip hop career. Despite the fact that the film was a flop I grew to respect his commitment to a role greatly, which is what I hope to see in "The Master." The trailer I have included is a good indication that my expectations will be met.