A tracking shot is a film camera movement that involves the camera following the actor or subject, which can be very captivating in terms of motion while deepening the narrative flow. Nowadays, such shots not only help in bringing the story closer to the reality of the audience and evoke emotions, but also give the whole production a very professional, movie-like atmosphere. Originally, tracking shots required intricate equipment like dollies, stabilizers, huge rigs, and large teams, which made such shots very expensive and difficult to achieve. Currently, AI-assisted solutions like Dreamina, which is based on the Video 3.5 model, make it easier for filmmakers to create cinematic shots and motion graphics with much less hassle.
What is a tracking shot in film?
A track shot in a film is a type of camera movement where the camera moves through the space to follow a subject, always keeping the subject in frame as the action occurs. A definition of tracking shot is more than just motion—it literally involves moving along with the character or object, which sets the mood, helps to keep the narrative flowing, and maintains visual continuity. When you compare it with a static shot, in which the camera does not move at all, or with rotational movements like pans and tilts that just involve moving from one angle to another, a tracking shot in film is a change in the camera's physical location. It is also one of the ways the director can get the audience to share the characters' experience in the scene. That is why this method is particularly helpful to filmmakers, content creators, and even AI-assisted story crafters today who want to use very attractive, high-quality visuals to tell stories.
How to create a tracking shots film with Dreamina AI
Dreamina AI offers a modern way to create a tracking shot film without physical rigs, using its AI video tools powered by the Video 3.5 Pro AI model. With options like First and last frames and Multiframes, creators can define how a scene begins, evolves, and ends, allowing AI to generate smooth, continuous motion between frames. This approach simulates realistic tracking shot camera movement by maintaining subject position, depth, and visual consistency across the sequence.
By leveraging the visual accuracy and stability of Dreamina Video 3.5 Pro, AI intelligently interpolates motion to mimic forward, backward, or lateral tracking shots that feel cinematic rather than mechanical. The result is smooth, controlled movement without shaky execution or complex setups. This makes Dreamina ideal for creators, marketers, and filmmakers who want professional-looking tracking shots for ads, storyboards, short films, and digital content—faster, cheaper, and fully AI-assisted.
Ready to bring cinematic motion to your visuals? Get started with Dreamina AI and explore Video 3.5 Pro today to create professional tracking shots — no equipment required.
Steps to create a tracking shot in Dreamina
- step 1
- Access the AI Video in Dreamina
Go to the Dreamina official website, navigate to "Explore," and click "AI Video." Enter a detailed prompt describing the camera movement, colors, style, lighting, and theme, and upload your reference frame(s) so the AI can accurately simulate a tracking shot.
Prompt example: A cinematic tracking shot begins with a joyful golden retriever puppy sitting in a vibrant field of orange flowers, tongue out, looking up happily. The camera slowly glides forward and slightly to the right, revealing a lush green garden backdrop. As the motion continues, the scene gracefully transitions to reveal the same puppy now sitting beside its calm, majestic adult golden retriever parent, both gazing serenely at the camera amidst soft-focus foliage.
Choose an AI model such as Video 3.5 Pro (by Seedance 1.5 Pro), then select either First and Last Frame or Multiframes to define the tracking motion. You can also choose the video resolution and duration. Then, click "Send" to proceed.
- step 2
- Edit the generated video
Generate the video, enhance it using "interpolate" and "upscale" options for smoother motion and better quality
- step 3
- Download tracking shot video
Once satisfied with the video, click "Download" to save it to your device.
Other powerful features in Dreamina
- AI Agent: Dreamina's AI Agent serves as a smart assistant to creators, helping to personalize your experience. Among other things, it can help you plan a storyboard, organize visual elements, or explore new concepts. The AI Agent is always there to help you create content faster and more intuitively, which translates to saving time and increasing productivity.
- AI Image: Dreamina's text to image generator is your go-to for effortless, beautiful visuals. It is powered by Image 4.5 (by Seedream 4.5), Nano Banana, or Nano Banana Pro and comes with text-to-image, image-to-image, and multi-image fusion capabilities, which means that creators can deliver highly detailed, yet consistent and production-ready visuals.
- Creative upscale: Creative upscale is capable of taking the resolution and clarity of your images or videos to the next level while keeping the quality intact. It cleverly retains the details, sharpness, and texture of the images, thus giving whatever you use it for a more professional and sophisticated look, be it print, web content, or film sequences.
- Remove: The Remove tool helps you to quickly remove elements that you no longer wish to feature in your images, thus making the editing of your photos much easier. It gives you the freedom to produce works that are clean and orderly, thereby allowing you to concentrate on your narrative and bring professionalism to your work.
Traditional ways to create a tracking shot
Equipment commonly used
- Dollies and rails – These setups enable the camera to glide smoothly along the predetermined path. Thus, they facilitate the execution of forward, backward, or lateral tracking shots with accurate framing. They are a hallmark of the professional filmmaking kit and, consequently, one of the most challenging elements during shooting.
- Gimbals and stabilizers – These can be handheld or even wearable, and they help to eliminate the shaking and keep a steady motion while a subject is being followed. They provide more freedom than rails do, but to handle long or complicated movements still requires a bit of practice and luck.
- Handheld tracking limitations – It is the simplest method that can physically go along with a subject, but by far it produces the most unstable and unreliable results. Thus, it becomes that much more difficult to create visually pleasing footage without doing a lot of work or having some very high-end stabilization technology.
Challenges of manual tracking shots
- Cost of equipment – The high-quality dollies, rails, and stabilizers are ridiculously expensive, so a professional tracking setup is almost always unheard of for beginners, one-person creators, or very small teams.
- Need for space and crew – Shooting traditional tracking shots can be a real hassle because, firstly, you need a large physical space and, secondly, a few people who can operate the camera and equipment safely at the same time, thus making it even more difficult to achieve small projects.
- Retakes and stability issues – Even with good gear, the problem of whether the camera motion is smooth and consistent may still require taking multiple shots, resulting in a loss of time and effort, and being subject to continuity errors.
Traditional ways of making tracking shots, if done well, can produce very beautiful results. However, the downside is that these methods require a lot of money, use lots of equipment, and are hard for beginners to master. On the other hand, creators who want a quick, easy, and reliable solution can count on AI-powered tools such as Dreamina that will help them make professional tracking shots without dollies, gimbals, or large crews, thus putting cinematic storytelling within everyone's reach.
Cinematic grammar – Clarifying the terminology
- Dolly shot vs. tracking shot – People often use these terms as synonyms; however, there is a subtle distinction between them. In a broad sense, a dolly shot is any camera movement captured on a dolly or track. On the other hand, a tracking shot is used when the camera is following a subject through space, often moving laterally, forward, or backward. In other words, a tracking shot is a type of dolly move focused on subject-centric motion.
- Pan vs. tracking shot – A pan is when the camera swivels from a fixed point and scans the scene, whereas with a tracking shot, the camera physically moves along with the subject. Visually, tracking shots give an impression of moving through space, but a pan only changes the direction of the viewer's perspective.
- Tracking vs. Trucking shot – Both terms involve camera movement, but they differ slightly. A tracking shot is a lateral movement—side-to-side with the subject—that can go in any direction: forward, backward, or sideways, depending on the scene's needs.
Even when using AI tools like Dreamina, understanding the correct terminology helps you clearly communicate your vision, plan your shots with precision, and achieve more intentional, cinematic results. Knowing the language of movement ensures your AI-generated tracking shots match the creative intent you have in mind.
Conclusion
A tracking shot refers to a camera movement that follows a subject as it moves through space, thus helping film and video storytelling by bringing more depth, motion, and cinematic power. Nowadays, AI has lowered the barrier, and it is easier than ever to get professional-looking camera movements without physical rigs. One example is the tool Dreamina, which is powered by Video 3.5, and it offers a very practical and easy-to-use solution that even creators, marketers, and filmmakers can use to produce polished, cinematic tracking shots at the drop of a hat and with great efficiency.
FAQs
What are some famous tracking shots in film?
Some of the most iconic tracking shots in film include the long hallway scene in Goodfellas, the continuous opening shot in Touch of Evil, and the immersive battlefield sequences in Children of Men. These shots follow characters or action through space, creating a sense of flow and engagement that defines the cinematic experience.
Are tracking shots hard to film traditionally?
Yes, tracking shots in film can be challenging to shoot using traditional methods. They often require dollies, rails, gimbals, and skilled crews, along with careful coordination to maintain smooth motion and framing. Retakes, space requirements, and equipment costs make them difficult for beginners or small teams. So you can try to use Dreamina to generate a tracking shot video easily.
Can beginners create tracking shots without expensive gear?
Yes! Beginners can now use AI tools like Dreamina to generate professional track shots in film without physical rigs. With features like First and last frames and Multiframes, Dreamina simulates realistic camera movement, allowing anyone to create smooth, cinematic tracking shots quickly and affordably.
Get more details on AI video generation: