A Steadicam is a camera stabilization system worn by the operator that uses a mechanical arm, vest, and gimbal to isolate the camera from the operator's body movements, producing smooth, fluid shots while walking or moving.
The Steadicam — invented by Garrett Brown in the 1970s — revolutionized filmmaking by enabling smooth, floating camera movements that were previously impossible without tracks or cranes. The system consists of a body-worn vest that distributes the camera's weight, a spring-loaded mechanical arm (the "iso-elastic arm") that absorbs up and down movements, and a gimbal-mounted sled that holds the camera and counterweights. Together, these components isolate the camera from the operator's walking motion.
Steadicam shots have a distinctive quality — a smooth, gliding motion that follows subjects through spaces, around corners, and up stairs with effortless grace. Iconic Steadicam shots include the Copacabana entrance in "Goodfellas," the tracking shots through the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining," and countless others. The technique creates an immersive, first-person quality that puts the viewer inside the scene.
Modern stabilization has expanded beyond traditional Steadicams to include motorized gimbals (smaller, lighter, and more accessible), which have democratized smooth camera movement. However, a true Steadicam operated by a skilled professional remains the gold standard for extended, complex moving shots involving heavy cinema cameras. When a project calls for elegant, sustained camera movement through spaces — a facility tour, a behind-the-scenes walkthrough, a narrative tracking shot — Steadicam work delivers unmatched results.
B-roll is supplementary footage that is intercut with the primary footage (A-roll) to provide visual variety, context, and illustrative imagery that supports the main narrative.
A dolly zoom (also known as a "Vertigo effect" or "zolly") is a camera technique where the camera physically moves toward or away from a subject while simultaneously zooming in the opposite direction, creating a disorienting shift in perspective.
A tracking shot is a camera movement where the camera physically moves through space to follow, lead, or move alongside a subject, typically achieved using dolly tracks, a Steadicam, or a gimbal.