Orbit
A movement where the camera circles around a character at the center. The camera faces the character the whole way around. It may go a full 360° or only part of the way; CineBunny calls it an orbit when it keeps going for half a turn or more, and an arc when the curve is shorter.
How it feels
- Spotlight
- Depth
- Inspection
- Big moment
- Protagonist
When to use it
- Showing a product or person in 360 degrees
- Showing a character from many directions, in three dimensions
- Emphasizing that the protagonist matters
- Circling a building or person with a drone
In the movies
Not to be confused with
- Arc
- The same circular path, but going only part of the way is usually called an arc. CineBunny calls under half a turn an arc and more than that an orbit. Some sources use the two words to mean the same thing.
- Pan
- A 360 pan turns the camera in place to show the surroundings. An orbit moves the camera around the outside to look at the character in the middle.
- Bullet Time
- The view circles the character in both, but in bullet time the character’s time stands still.
Prompt
Keyword
orbit around subject
Descriptive
Slow 360-degree orbit. The camera circles the character at eye level, always facing them, while the background swings around behind.
Try these combinations
Eye level + orbit: a portrait in the studio
Smooth orbit around a standing figure, 180-degree arc, eye level, soft studio lighting
Orbit + dark background: a 360 product shot
Slow orbit around a luxury watch on a pedestal, dark background, product commercial