Steadicam

A stabilizing rig the operator wears on their body. It filters out the bumps of walking so the frame moves smoothly, as if gliding. It can carry the lens anywhere without dolly rails or a crane, which makes it good for following through tight places like hallways or stairs. A gimbal, which cancels shake with motors, gives a similar result on screen. Steadicam is a trademark of Tiffen.

Camera seen from the side. The bunny walks toward the camera, and the camera backs away smoothly 2.6 m ahead at the same speed.

Camera view. The bunny stays in the center, and the frame glides almost without shake, as if floating.

How it feels

Smoothness
Immersion
Floating
Dreamlike
Tension

When to use it

Spaces where laying dolly track is hard, like hallways, stairs or mazes
A long take following a character into a building
Backing away in front of a character walking toward camera

In the movies

Rocky (1976) · Source: Movieclips (YouTube) · Original video

The Shining (1980) · Source: Movieclips (YouTube) · Original video

Bound for Glory 1976
Directed by Hal Ashby. The Steadicam maker presents this as the Steadicam’s feature film debut, and says it then became famous through Rocky and The Shining.
The Shining 1980
Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Inventor Garrett Brown wrote that Danny riding his tricycle down the hotel hallways was followed with the Steadicam lens lowered close to the floor, and that the hedge maze scenes were shot entirely on Steadicam.
GoodFellas 1990
Often cited for its Steadicam long take entering the Copacabana club through the back door.

Not to be confused with

Handheld: It is carried the same way, but the shake of the human body comes through on screen. A Steadicam filters that shake out.
Tracking: Tracking is the name of a movement; Steadicam is the name of a rig that performs it.
Follow Shot: Follow and leading shots are also names of movements. Shot on Steadicam they come out smooth; shot handheld they come out shaky.

Prompt

Keyword

steadicam shot

Descriptive

Smooth steadicam shot. The camera glides backward in front of the subject as they walk toward it, steady and floating with no shake.

Try these combinations

Steadicam: following a child through a festival
Handheld steady following small child walking through carnival
Steadicam + long take: passing through a busy kitchen
Smooth gliding steadicam shot following a waiter through a crowded restaurant kitchen, long take