A crane shot moves the camera through the air. The camera is mounted on a large mechanical arm, called a crane or a jib. The arm can rise, fall, swing, and rotate, giving the shot a sweeping, fluid motion. The crane can lift the camera high above a scene, then swoop down to eye level. It can follow a character across a room or reveal a vast landscape. It is one of the most dramatic tools in cinematography.

The crane shot is often used for establishing shots, reveals, and endings. In Gone with the Wind, a crane rises above a train station filled with wounded soldiers, revealing the scale of the carnage. In Touch of Evil, the opening shot is a long crane take that follows a car through a border town. In The Shawshank Redemption, a crane rises above the prison yard as Andy raises his arms in the rain. The crane shot can be beautiful, but it must serve the story. A crane shot that draws attention to itself can pull the audience out of the film.

Cranes come in many sizes. A small jib can be operated by one person. A large Technocrane can extend dozens of feet and move at high speed. The shot requires planning, rehearsal, and coordination. The camera operator, the crane operator, and the director must work together. When it works, the crane shot is unforgettable.