10 Best Tracking Shots

by Patrick Chamberlain in Directing Tips, Indie Tips

A tracking shot is when a camera follows a person or an object physicallyy moving with the subject- This can be done using tracks, handheld, ropes, Steady-cam etc. Long tracking shots impress me a lot as it takes a lot of planning and rehearsals to get it just right but if you do it can be the most immersive way to tell a story in my opinion as there are no cuts to divert your attention. There have been some absolute awesome tracking shots and we couldn’t get them all in but here are some of my favourite ones.

1. Hard Boiled (John Woo, 1992)

This is an incredible action sequence by the gunslinging legend John Woo.

Enough said.

2. Elephant (Alan Clarke, 1989)

Elephant is a 40 minute film made for TV about the violence in Ireland. Each scene

Is done using long tracking shots which makes this movie quite revolutionary and

has inspired such Directors as Gus Van Sant & Harmoney Korine.

3. Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997)

This is one of the more docile tracking shots from Boogie Nights but it still is really

incredibley shot, choreographed and acted. Superb!

4.Warrior King(Tom Yum Goong, 2005)

This is an incredible 8 minute fight sequence all done in one shot. This took weeks

to make as they ould only do one take a week as it took 7 days to set up each attempt.

This scene really shows of Tony Jaas Athleticism,skill and stamina. Amazing

choreography and thought has been put into this scene which elevates the whole movie.

5. I Am Cuba (Mikhail Kalatozov, 196

This is an incredible tracking shot that makes me wonder how the hell did they do it!?

6. Old Boy (Park Chan Wook, 2003

Best fight scene in any movie? I think so.

7. Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958

Classic! This is one of the first long tracking shots in cinema and is most

Suspenseful indeed!

8. JCVD (Malbrouk El Mechri, 2008)

This is a really good tracking shot showing that Van Damme is still working his

arse off and getting treated badly by directors. Very funny intro to a movie.

Very interesting movie.

9.Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese, 1990)

I would probably be shot and buried if I didn’t include this onto the list!

10.The Player (Robert Altman, 1992)

Very funny satire of Hollywood & the long tracking shot.