FILMMAKING TERMS: CRABBING

When a film director tells the cameraman to move the camera sideways, this is usually called “crabbing”. Where the word comes from is not entirely clear, but one could guess it has something to do with how crustacean crabs move sideways. The distance between the principal and the lens remains unchanged during the crab. Naturally crabbing is easier with a lighter camera and pedestal than a heavier one – depending on how much help the camera operator has of course.

The call out for crabbing usually is “Crab!” Much like you would hear someone go “Fly!”.

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