# STOP shaking the damn camera **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2004, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885 "2004-11-21T00:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/21 "2004-11-22T03:16:02Z")
Hey, at least it wasn’t **START** shaking the camera. I agree with the condemnation of _The Bourne Supremacy_, by the way. More jitter in that camerawork than in a late-night programmer. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/22 "2004-11-22T03:21:02Z")
Yeah, I hate this effect too. It doesn’t bother me infsofar as making me sick, but it DOES bother me in the way that it loudly announces “HEY LOOK! WE’RE SHOWING YOU SOMETHING IMPORTANT!” thereby breaking that all-important movie/viewer rapport. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/23 "2004-11-22T15:03:39Z")
> [@Lilacs](#): > > I agree with your points, however it made me **so** sick, I ended up in bed with one of the worst cases of motion sickness I’d ever had up to that point. In fact, it left such a lasting impression that whenever I see any shaky camera scene I have to shut my eyes or get the heaves. Bleargh. Mwah-ha! I was proactive and took lotsa Gravol (motion sickness stuff like Dramamine) before I went. I was fine up until the last half-hour. Although, strangely the panning helicopter shots in _LOTR: Two Towers_ made me unexpectedly oogy. I was unprepared for that one. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/24 "2004-11-22T15:11:09Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > In making [Breaking the Waves](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115751/), Lars Von Trier not only filmed with a hand-held, shaking camera, he then projected that image onto a screen and filmed it AGAIN with a hand-held, shaking camera. The final result left me with motion sickness, and I enjoyed every minute of Blair Witch. I’m pretty sure some scenes in _Dancer in the Dark_ were filmed with a hand-held as well. A couple of times the camera shook for no reason, and it was incredibly distracting because it didn’t happen in most of the scenes! Directors, please stop confusing dumb gimmicks with artistic integrity or ‘naturalism.’ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/25 "2004-11-22T15:14:10Z")
Sorry, I forgot to curse. I thought this might be in CS. Fucking Lars von Trier with his fucking shaky camera and his fucking fake wanna-be aristocratic ‘von’ gimmicky fuckhead. Bah! ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/26 "2004-11-22T15:24:41Z")
Fucking Dramamine. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/27 "2004-11-22T15:41:28Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > Yes. An excellent movie pretty much ruined by terrible camera work. :smack: For the most part, i can live with a bit of shaky camerawork. I still watch NYPD Blue (despite its decline since Jimmy Smits and then Rick Schroder left), and i tend not to notice it very much anymore. What really pissed me off about The Bourne Suprmeacy was not the shaky camerawork per se, but the fact that they used a wildly-moving camera to try and make a bunch of poorly-choreographed fight scenes look interesting. It was a total cop-out, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/28 "2004-11-22T15:52:31Z")
I noticed the difference between Homicide: and NYPD Blue is that in NYPD Blue, the camera seemed to shake to a predetermined style. I.e. even if it were pointing directly at a subject, it would jiggle to the left after a couple of seconds, then a bit to the right, up, down, repeat ad nauseum. Whereas Homicide: actually used it like a genuine hand-held camera, and the shaking seemed nothing more than the natural movement of a hand-held camera. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/29 "2004-11-22T18:54:26Z")
The shaking cameras in NYPD blue are extremely annoying. I can’t watch the show because of them. I find myself just focused on the pattern of the moving camera. It’s basically always “on”, despite what scene they are showing. On the other hand, I didn’t mind the effect in Saving Private Ryan. It was done effectively there during the battle scenes. I’ve pointed out the shaking cameras to fans of NYPD blue that never noticed it. Once they are made aware it annoys them also. I can’t imagine how one would not notice such a thing! ---
**Author:** ![SuperGadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@SuperGadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperGadger)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/30 "2017-01-20T15:37:15Z")
Does anyone know of a method by which movie directors (in general) might be alerted to a filming technique that appears to have gained popularity, (with directors, NOT the viewing public) but is very UNpopular with Viewers? It’s all been written before: SHAKY-CAM, (Handheld Filming) so prevalent in the filming of modern action sequences is, in the opinion of the vast majority of Viewers, ruining our enjoyment. e.g. the TV series “Lost”. I must have spent an estimated one third of my viewing time with my eyes averted or shut. I use a digital projector and large screen and the Shaky-Cam sequences are literally nauseating to watch. I suppose it’s easier, quicker and cheaper than using a conventional tripod or wheeled Dolly or Stabilising Rig but I think I write for most people: “WE’RE ALL BLOODY SICK OF IT! PLEASE STOP! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/31 "2017-01-20T15:55:39Z")
> [@SuperGadger](#): > > Does anyone know of a method by which movie directors (in general) might be alerted to a filming technique that appears to have gained popularity, (with directors, NOT the viewing public) but is very UNpopular with Viewers? It’s all been written before: SHAKY-CAM, (Handheld Filming) so prevalent in the filming of modern action sequences is, in the opinion of the vast majority of Viewers, ruining our enjoyment. e.g. the TV series “Lost”. I must have spent an estimated one third of my viewing time with my eyes averted or shut. I use a digital projector and large screen and the Shaky-Cam sequences are literally nauseating to watch. I suppose it’s easier, quicker and cheaper than using a conventional tripod or wheeled Dolly or Stabilising Rig but I think I write for most people: > > “WE’RE ALL BLOODY SICK OF IT! PLEASE STOP! > :mad: It’s been 12 years. May as well give it up. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/32 "2017-01-20T16:29:59Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s been 12 years. May as well give it up. Except for the fact that the damn cameras are still shaking! ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/33 "2017-01-20T16:39:32Z")
> [@TastesLikeBurning](#): > > The Bourne Supremacy is the worst offender of recent times IMO. I haven’t been able to watch _The Bourne Supremacy_ and \*The Bourne Ultimatum - because of the overuse of “Shaky-Cam.” ETA: Oops - didn’t realize that this is a zombie thread. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/34 "2017-01-20T17:01:37Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I haven’t been able to watch _The Bourne Supremacy_ and \*The Bourne Ultimatum > > - because of the overuse of “Shaky-Cam.” > > ETA: Oops - didn’t realize that this is a zombie thread. Maybe it’s now Shamble-Cam. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/35 "2017-01-20T17:06:35Z")
There’s nothing wrong with using a camera hand-held, nor the natural, slight movements inherent in shooting hand-held. What’s annoying is that ‘everyone’ has, as the date of the OP shows, been over-using the ‘fake shake’ for over a decade. The ‘fake shake’ is where you hand-hold the camera, and then intentionally move it around to show, ‘Hey, look! Hand-held! See how edgy I am?’ Yeah, I dislike the fake shake too. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/36 "2017-01-20T17:22:01Z")
Shakycam sucks. For everyone prone to motion sickness, it is guaranteed to induce it. ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/37 "2017-01-21T14:08:14Z")
Shitty directors with shitty stunt coordinators need to do **something** so that the rubes don’t notice that their stunts/special effects are shitty. Otherwise people would stop seeing their shitty movies. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/38 "2017-01-21T15:12:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The ‘fake shake’ is where you hand-hold the camera, and then intentionally move it around to show, ‘Hey, look! Hand-held! See how edgy I am?’ The end result is that they’re saying “Hey, look! This scene isn’t actually happening. It isn’t real. It’s fake! FAKE!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/39 "2017-01-21T15:18:43Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The end result is that they’re saying “Hey, look! This scene isn’t actually happening. It isn’t real. It’s fake! FAKE!!!” Which is ironic, because hand-held shots are often intended to imply _vérité_. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885/40 "2017-01-21T15:38:55Z")
I like it when it’s used like a side dish on a plate. When you show a plane tumbling out of the sky, shaky cam is perfectly okay to use. When you show two people at a table talking, not so much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-shaking-the-damn-camera/275885.md?page=3)