Rather less expensive than full motion video, a ‘pan and zoom’ slideshow gives a sense of movement by moving a virtual camera across and into (or out of) a still image. It’s not true video; trees & water won’t move in the wind for instance, although there is opportunity to intersperse real video between the still shots.

Yet another marketing option for the toolbox.

If you’re a sports fan you may have seen TV cameramen scuttling down the sideline, following the action with their camera mounted on a framelike contraption which is itself supported by a body harness. That’s a steadicam, a device designed to absorb the ‘bobbling’ motion imparted to the camera by the cameraman’s own movement. The result is smooth, almost floating, footage. If you’ve ever walked with a full cup of tea (anyone?) you’ll appreciate the challenge of keeping that liquid surface motionless.

I recently purchased a small steadicam, scaled down for my camera. What a fiendishly frustrating device! Right up there with the rubber frypan!! However, just the tool for transitioning the camera between ‘scenes’, or rooms in the house.

Have a look at the first video below which mostly consists of steadicam sequences (‘walk-through’ style), along with a dashboard intro! The second video by comparison was entirely shot with the camera on a tripod or track. I refer to that as ‘cinematic’ style.

You may prefer one style over the other, or can see opportunites for a mix of both. Let me know.