Gimbal Movements and Balancing: A Filmmaker's Guide to Smooth Video

A gimbal is one of the most powerful tools in a filmmaker's kit. It turns shaky handheld footage into smooth, cinematic shots that look like they came off a Hollywood dolly.

But here's what nobody tells you: most people use their gimbal wrong.

They skip the balancing step. They walk too fast. They use the wrong mode. And their footage still looks shaky — just in a different, floaty, nauseating way.

Here's how to actually use a gimbal.

Why Balancing Matters

Before you hit record, your gimbal needs to be perfectly balanced. This means the camera sits on the gimbal without the motors having to work to keep it level.

What happens when your gimbal isn't balanced:

• Motors strain and overheat — shortening battery life and potentially burning out motors
• Jittery footage — the motors constantly fight to correct the imbalance
• Drift — the camera slowly tilts or pans on its own
• Vibrations — micro-vibrations that show up in your footage, especially at longer focal lengths

How to Balance (Step by Step):

1. Lock all axes on the gimbal
2. Mount your camera with the lens you'll be using
3. Balance the tilt axis first — the camera should stay level when you let go
4. Balance the roll axis — the camera shouldn't lean left or right
5. Balance the pan axis — the camera should stay put when you rotate the gimbal
6. Unlock all axes and power on

Every time you change lenses, add a filter, or adjust your rig, you need to rebalance. This is the step most people skip, and it's the reason their footage looks bad.

The Essential Gimbal Movements

1. The Walk and Follow

The most basic gimbal shot. Walk forward while the gimbal follows your subject.

Tips:

• Walk heel-to-toe (ninja walk) for the smoothest motion
• Bend your knees slightly — be a human shock absorber
• Keep your arms close to your body, elbows tucked
• Walk slowly. Slower than you think. Then even slower.

2. The Orbit

Circle around your subject while keeping them centered in frame.

Tips:

• Keep the same distance from your subject throughout
• Move your feet, not just your arms
• Use a wider lens (24-35mm) to make the movement more dramatic

3. The Reveal

Start with the camera pointed at something (a wall, a tree, the ground) and then move to reveal the subject or scene.

Tips:

• The reveal should feel intentional, not accidental
• Slow, deliberate movement works best
• Works great for establishing shots and transitions

4. The Low Mode

Flip the gimbal upside down and shoot from a low angle.

Tips:

• Creates dramatic, cinematic perspectives
• Great for following subjects at ground level
• Keep the gimbal stable — low mode amplifies any shake

5. The Push-In

Walk toward your subject while keeping them framed.

Tips:

• Creates tension and draws the viewer's attention
• Works best at slower speeds
• Stop before you get too close — leave breathing room

6. The Parallax

Move laterally while keeping the camera pointed at a stationary subject. Foreground elements slide past, creating depth.

Tips:

• This is one of the most cinematic movements you can do
• Include foreground elements (plants, doorframes, furniture) for maximum effect
• Move slowly and steadily

Gimbal Modes Explained

Most gimbals have three main modes:

• Pan Follow: Gimbal follows your horizontal movement, keeps tilt and roll locked. Best for most situations.
• Pan and Tilt Follow: Follows both horizontal and vertical movement. Good for following subjects up stairs or on uneven terrain.
• Lock Mode: All axes locked. Camera points in one direction regardless of your movement. Great for walk-and-shoot when you want a fixed frame.

Common Gimbal Mistakes

1. Not balancing — the #1 mistake. Balance every time.
2. Walking too fast — slow down. Seriously.
3. Arms extended — keep the gimbal close to your body for stability
4. Wrong mode — use Pan Follow for 80% of shots
5. Fighting the gimbal — let it do its job. Don't force movements.
6. Ignoring composition — a smooth shot of nothing interesting is still boring

Learn Hands-On

At Alberta Film School's Gimbal Balancing & Movements Workshop [blocked], you'll learn to balance your gimbal properly and practice every cinematic movement. AFS provides gimbals if you don't have one — just bring your camera.

Workshop details: 1 day, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, $249 + GST. Join the waitlist [blocked] to get notified when the next date is announced.