Definition of "Phantom shot"? at DVinfo.net

Colin McDonald · March 10th, 2012, 04:52 PM

Came across this term several times while browsing a film archive tonight. Seems to be used in the context of a tracking shot from a vehicle which is unseen. (Nothing to do with ghosts!) Must confess I don't recall coming cross this before. Any help appreciated.

Charles Papert · March 11th, 2012, 02:28 AM

That's an obscure one. I don't recall having heard that. May be an old-timey phrase!!

Brian Drysdale · March 11th, 2012, 03:33 AM

Academics can invent terms that bear no relationship to anything used by people who actually made films or TV programmes.

It sounds rather like a POV from a vehicle, otherwise it would be a a rather pointless way of describing a tracking shot. It of sort of implies that the vehicle itself is of some consequence, rather than just a platform to mount a camera.

Academics also can come up with nonsense at times from only reading the"text" but not knowing how to write the "text".

Colin McDonald · March 11th, 2012, 08:03 AM

Thanks, Charles and Brian, I think you are right. It might also be an omission or abbreviation for a "phantom ride shot" which is mentioned here BFI Screenonline: Phantom Rides

Quote:

Phantom rides were films shot from the very front of moving trains. The films would present the journey from the train's perspective, capturing the approaching track, surrounding landscape and the passage through tunnels. To obtain these films, cameramen would literally tie themselves and their cameras to the buffer of a speeding train. From this position, the film would appear to be moving by aid of an invisible force, hence the name 'phantom ride' by which they soon came to be known. The first phantom ride, The Haverstraw Tunnel, was made in America in 1897. The concept quickly caught on in Britain and would become one of the most popular forms of early cinema.

Here's a couple of examples of "phantom ride" shots :
Scottish Screen Archive - Search - Results

Brian Drysdale · March 11th, 2012, 09:13 AM

I've seen a few of those types of shots from the early 20th Century.

Some show a pretty scary lack of traffic rules and have a few near misses.

San Francisco Trolley Ride and Street Scenes 1905 - YouTube

SF Cable Car runs thru crowded street - YouTube

Dylan Couper · March 16th, 2012, 11:49 PM

The phantom shot term has evolved into the ghost ride.

Josh Bass · March 17th, 2012, 12:40 PM

Maybe it's where you think you've pressed the record button, then "shoot" for a while, only to find out you haven't.

Allan Black · March 19th, 2012, 04:11 AM

Hey Josh, so that's what it's called .. cool I'll use it, better than me telling the client it's just a run through.

Cheers.

March 10th, 2012, 04:52 PM	#1
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Definition of "Phantom shot"? Came across this term several times while browsing a film archive tonight. Seems to be used in the context of a tracking shot from a vehicle which is unseen. (Nothing to do with ghosts!) Must confess I don't recall coming cross this before. Any help appreciated.

March 11th, 2012, 02:28 AM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? That's an obscure one. I don't recall having heard that. May be an old-timey phrase!! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 11th, 2012, 03:33 AM	#3
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? Academics can invent terms that bear no relationship to anything used by people who actually made films or TV programmes. It sounds rather like a POV from a vehicle, otherwise it would be a a rather pointless way of describing a tracking shot. It of sort of implies that the vehicle itself is of some consequence, rather than just a platform to mount a camera. Academics also can come up with nonsense at times from only reading the"text" but not knowing how to write the "text".

March 11th, 2012, 09:13 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? I've seen a few of those types of shots from the early 20th Century. Some show a pretty scary lack of traffic rules and have a few near misses. San Francisco Trolley Ride and Street Scenes 1905 - YouTube SF Cable Car runs thru crowded street - YouTube

March 16th, 2012, 11:49 PM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? The phantom shot term has evolved into the ghost ride. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

March 17th, 2012, 12:40 PM	#7
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? Maybe it's where you think you've pressed the record button, then "shoot" for a while, only to find out you haven't. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

March 19th, 2012, 04:11 AM	#8
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,960	Re: Definition of "Phantom shot"? Hey Josh, so that's what it's called .. cool I'll use it, better than me telling the client it's just a run through. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.