A camera move should help the viewer notice something. Before adding an orbit or a fast pan, decide what changes in the scene and where the shot should begin and end. Then describe one clear movement around that action.
This guide covers wording for individual shots. For a comparison of text, framing references, and camera path references, see the AI video camera control guide.
Describe the camera separately from the subject
The subject can move while the camera stays still. The camera can move while the subject stays in place. Name both so a request to follow a person does not become an unexplained zoom.
Use four pieces of information: starting frame, subject action, camera movement, and ending frame. Add only the continuity details that matter to this shot.
Begin in a medium shot of the courier at the station counter.
She places the sealed envelope on the counter and holds her hand beside it.
The camera slowly moves closer, ending on the envelope and her hand.
The clerk remains on the opposite side of the counter throughout the shot.
Use this as a starting shot description. Review whether the chosen model follows the movement and preserves the envelope.
Choose a move for the information it reveals
| Camera choice | Useful purpose | What to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Locked camera | Let an action or entrance carry the scene | Fixed viewpoint and visible action |
| Push in | Emphasize a reaction or clue | Starting size and final subject |
| Pull back | Reveal the surrounding situation | What becomes visible at the end |
| Pan | Follow or reveal something from one position | Direction and stopping point |
| Tilt | Shift attention vertically | Starting and ending subjects |
| Sideways tracking | Follow movement through a location | Travel direction and subject position |
| Orbit | Show a subject from changing viewpoints | Limited arc and ending angle |
| Rising camera | Reveal scale or spatial relationships | Starting height and final view |
A close-up is framing, and an over the shoulder view is a viewpoint. A rack focus changes focus between subjects. None of those terms necessarily means the camera travels through the scene. Keep the distinction clear when describing a shot.
Start with one movement and a readable action
For a tense exchange, a still camera may be more useful than a complicated move:
Medium two shot across the table. The camera remains fixed at seated eye level.
The woman slides the envelope toward the clerk, who keeps his hands on his side of the table.
Both faces and the envelope remain visible as the action finishes.
For a reveal, name what is hidden at the beginning and what the ending frame should show:
Begin close on the unopened envelope on the counter.
The camera slowly pulls back to a wider view, revealing the courier waiting on one side and the clerk on the other.
The envelope remains on the counter between them.
For a following shot, state the relationship between camera and subject:
Side view of the courier walking along the station platform toward frame right.
The camera travels beside her at walking speed, keeping her in a medium profile view.
She holds the sealed envelope at waist height while the platform passes behind her.
Try one of these movements before combining it with a focus change, another action, or a change of location. When the result fails, a simple starting description makes the cause easier to identify.
Put the movement into a shot plan in Arcloop
In your Arcloop project, review the scene and its shot cards. Reference the characters and props that already exist in My Assets, then add the current action and camera instruction to the relevant card.
Generate an image first if you need to inspect framing or prop placement. A still can show the intended starting composition, but it cannot demonstrate that a moving camera will follow the path. Review the video as well.
Compare the beginning and end of the clip, then watch the movement between them. Check whether the camera reaches the intended subject, the prop stays with its owner, and the next shot preserves the scene's geography. Regenerate the failed card rather than changing every reference.
Fix a failed move with a smaller change
If a pan becomes a zoom, describe the camera turning from a fixed position and name the final subject. If an orbit changes the character's design, reduce the arc and check the available reference angles. If a clue leaves the frame, simplify the subject action or use a still camera.
Choose the take that communicates the story beat. A more elaborate movement is useful only when it adds information the scene needs.
Further reading
Runway's Gen-4 prompting guide recommends simple motion descriptions and gradual iteration. Its camera terminology reference distinguishes framing, angles, and movement. Those documents describe Runway models; test the instructions with the model and input mode you select in Arcloop.
