Language: English

Whip Pan

A pan so fast that the frame smears. The camera only rotates in place and jumps from one subject to another in an instant. It is used to bounce between two people arguing, or as a transition from one scene to the next.

Camera seen at an angle from above. It stays in place, and its view swings 90° to the bunny on the left in 0.3 seconds, then back.
Camera view. It looks at one bunny, snaps over to another bunny on the left, and a moment later swings back.

How it feels

  • Energy
  • Urgency
  • Surprise
  • Comic
  • Transition

When to use it

  • Bouncing quickly between two characters arguing
  • Turning toward a sudden sound
  • A transition from one scene to another
  • Snapping to a reaction in a comedy

In the movies

Whiplash (2014) · Source: Universal Pictures International Netherlands (YouTube) · Original video
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) · Source: SearchlightPictures (YouTube) · Original video

  • Some Like It Hot 1959

    Directed by Billy Wilder. Columbia’s film glossary points to a dance scene as an example of a swish pan.

Not to be confused with

Pan
The same movement, only the speed differs. If you can make out shapes in the frame while it moves, it is a pan; if they smear beyond recognition, it is a whip pan.
Crash Zoom
A crash zoom pulls the lens in fast; a whip pan turns the camera fast.

Prompt

Keyword

whip pan

Descriptive

Whip pan. The camera snaps hard on its axis in a fraction of a second, streaking the frame with motion blur mid-turn, and lands cleanly on a second subject.

Try these combinations

  • Whip pan + handheld: an argument

    Whip pan from one arguing character to another across a kitchen table, handheld

  • Whip pan: a transition on a busy street

    Whip pan left across a busy Tokyo intersection at night, neon lights streaking

Related terms