Axial movement is defines as, “Non-locomotor movement occurring above a stationary base involving the spine. Any movement organized around the axis of the body. Any movement that is anchored to one spot by a body part using only the available space in any direction, without losing the initial body contact. Movement is organized around the axis of the body rather than designed for travel from one location to another.” In dance, this category may encompass a number of joint actions, level changes, rotations/spirals, and gestural movements. All these actions may occur within an infinite number of spatial planes. Now, can we make the jump (2 feet to 2 feet) into how this relates to camera movement? The stationary tripod is similar to the human neck, in that it is capable of flexion, extension, lateral rotation, and lateral flexion. Let’s take a look at how these anatomical articulations translate to camera motion.

Tripod Heads and Methods of Creating Drag
a. Friction Head – develops drag by the friction of two metal-surfaced or fabric-surfaced plates
b. Spring Head – creates drag through a set of springs
c. Fluid Head – drag created by the movement of a thick fluid from one chamber to another


Pan (Horizontal/Table Plane)

Tilt (Sagittal/Wheel Plane)

Rotate (Frontal/Door Plane)