Why Animators Should Avoid "CCTV Camera"

One of the most common mistakes junior animators make when staging their shots is to position the camera above the action, looking down on the characters. This can be tempting to do, because it is an easy way to capture everything that is going on.  However "CCTV Camera" is usually a mistake (though you might need to create a particular effect in certain circumstances). A better choice is to position the camera at eye level - where the camera becomes a non-participant observer in the scene. Watch this very short video to see why.

Keep the Camera at Eye Level

Camera generally works best at eye level

The solution is to position your camera roughly at eye level with your character - usually around five feet seven inches off the ground, at the average eye level of the average person. This makes the camera feel natural and normal. 

Camera and Cinematography

Below are some useful resources on camera and cinematography at Animation Apprentice.

• Why Animators Have Too Many Cuts
• Why Camera Always Follows - Never Leads
• Why Animators Should Avoid Jump Cuts
• Understand The 180 Degree Rule - "Crossing The Line"
• Avoid "Motion Sickness Camera" - Keep it Simple
• Don't "Break the 4th Wall"
• Understanding The "Magic Circle" - With Brad Bird
• How to Create a Shot Camera in Maya

To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions.