Bullet Time

A technique where the character’s movement is so slow it seems frozen, while the view circles around them. In fact the camera does not move: photos taken by many cameras set in a circle around the character are joined in sequence so the view seems to turn. It became widely known when the directors of The Matrix called their slow-motion scenes bullet time.

Camera seen at an angle from above. Time stops the moment the bunny leans back to dodge bullets, and the camera swings halfway around over 4 seconds.

Camera view. The bunny is frozen with knees bent forward and upper body thrown far back, seen from the front around to the side and back. When the turn ends, time flows again and he straightens up.

How it feels

Surreal
Tension
Decisive moment
Game-like
Stylish

When to use it

Dodging bullets, a jump, or the moment of impact
Sports highlight replays
Stretching out one decisive moment

In the movies

The Matrix (1999) · Source: Warner Bros. Rewind (YouTube) · Original video

The Matrix 1999
Directed by the Wachowskis. Visual effects supervisor John Gaeta’s team lined up as many as 120 still cameras to shoot the actor’s fast movement in sequence. Columbia’s film glossary also gives it as an example of bullet time.

Not to be confused with

Orbit: In an orbit, the camera circles while time flows normally. In bullet time, time nearly stops and only the view moves.
Slow Motion: In slow motion only time slows down, and the view can stay put. In bullet time the view moves within slowed time.

Prompt

Keyword

bullet time

Descriptive

Bullet time. The character bends far backward to dodge bullets, knees forward and arms flung out; time freezes and the camera sweeps 180 degrees around him.

Try these combinations

Bullet time: a kick frozen in midair
Bullet time, a martial artist frozen mid-kick as the camera sweeps around him, shattered glass hanging in the air
Bullet time: circling the moment of a dunk
Frozen moment, camera orbits around a basketball player suspended mid-dunk, stadium lights