Crash Zoom

A very fast, rough zoom in or zoom out. It works like a zoom but is over in an instant, used deliberately so it stands out, to create shock, a realization or comic exaggeration.

Camera seen at an angle from above. It stays in place, and the view pyramid snaps narrow in 0.25 seconds.

Camera view. It snaps from a full shot to the face in an instant, holds for a moment, then cuts back.

How it feels

Shock
Surprise
Emphasis
Comic
Realization

When to use it

The moment a character realizes something or is shocked
Emphasizing an exaggerated reaction in comedy
Pointing hard at an important clue or object
Just before a showdown, in martial arts or western style

In the movies

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) · Source: Movieclips (YouTube) · Original video

Not to be confused with

Zoom In/Out: The same principle, only the speed differs. A slow pull builds tension; a snap pull lands as a shock.
Whip Pan: A whip pan turns the camera fast; a crash zoom pulls the lens fast.
Dolly Zoom: A crash zoom only zooms. A dolly zoom moves and zooms in opposite directions at once.

Prompt

Keyword

crash zoom

Descriptive

Crash zoom in. From a locked position the lens slams tighter almost instantly, an aggressive punch of magnification that lands hard on a bold close-up of the face.

Try these combinations

Crash zoom: 70s martial arts film style
Extremely rapid, aggressive crash zoom into a man's shocked eyes, 1970s kung fu film style
Crash zoom out: a comic twist
Crash zoom out from a tiny character to reveal a giant monster standing behind them, comedic