Arc
arc shot
An arc shot moves the camera around the subject along part of a circle while the lens stays aimed at them. A quarter or half orbit is enough: the axis of the scene changes without a cut, and the background slides.
Narrative function
Use it to reorient. A booth, a kiss, a standoff can turn from front to profile to reverse without a cut, so the relationship is rewritten by parallax.
The subject can stay put; the world is what orbits. A full 360 is a different promise.
If you only need a new eyeline, a quarter circle is cleaner. If nobody's position in the room matters, an arc is empty decoration.
How it works
Lay track or a circular dolly, or walk a steadicam on a curve of constant radius, camera facing inward. Height usually holds (eye or chest).
Foreground posts, chairs, or extras should shear faster than the far wall. Prompt: Arc around [Subject], camera traveling a curve while facing them, background sliding, a quarter or half orbit.
When to use it
Change the axis without cutting: a table that becomes a two-shot, a reveal of who stands behind. Do not arc 180 degrees on every line; save the curve for a real change of power.
Compared with similar shots
Arc Left and Arc Right name the direction of travel. 360-Degree Orbit completes the circle and usually inspects a body in space.
A Pan only yaws from a fixed point, so the background does not parallax the same way.
In film
Goodfellas often arcs around a booth or a table as alliances shift. Atonement uses curved travel inside longer takes to reorient a scene without a cut.
Use them as grammar for changing axis, not as frames to copy.
Prompt it
Name the curve, the facing, and how much of the circle. Still: Arc around [Subject], camera traveling a curve while facing them, background sliding, a quarter or half orbit.
Video: The camera arcs around [Subject], always facing them, background sliding past. Say quarter or half.
Forbid a pan from sticks.
What usually goes wrong
The usual wrong cousin is a pan. The tell: the camera body never moves, only the head yaws, and near objects do not shear.
The fix: travel a curve, keep the lens on the subject, and let the background slide.
Questions
What is Arc in film?
An arc shot travels the camera along part of a circle while facing the subject, so the background slides and the axis of the scene changes without a cut.
Arc vs 360-Degree Orbit
An arc is a quarter or half circle used to change axis. An orbit-360 completes the loop and treats the figure as something to walk around.
When should I use Arc?
Use it to reorient a scene without cutting: a table, a standoff, a reveal behind the subject. Do not use a full spin when a quarter will do.
How do I prompt Arc for AI image or video?
Write a curved travel that always faces the subject, and name a quarter or half orbit. Example: Arc around [Subject], camera traveling a curve while facing them, background sliding.