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DOI: Psychovisual Effects of Camera Shake: When and Why It Works
Herasymiuk Heorhii , Videographer Miami, USAAbstract
This paper examines the psychovisual effects of camera shake and their influence on viewer perception across various media. The study aimed to systematically investigate the psychovisual mechanisms of shaky-cam and determine the conditions under which it is effective as an expressive device in cinema, immersive, and gaming media. To this end, a comprehensive analysis of neurovisual and physiological experiments was conducted, alongside a comparative review of historical and contemporary cinematographic cases, and an overview of industry reports on image stabilization trends. The relevance of the work is justified by the convergence of two opposing market trends: the ubiquitous adoption of hardware stabilization, which renders smooth imagery the default, and the growth of immersive formats, where deliberate camera shake serves to enhance presence and dramatic tension. Of particular significance is the balance between psychological immersion and the risk of visually induced motion sickness in VR and 360° video. The novelty of the study lies in its interdisciplinary approach, which combines fMRI data on cortical MT/MST activity, EEG studies of the motor cortex, measures of sympathetic response (MSNA, HR), assessments of cognitive load, and industry forecasts for the optical-stabilization and VR-headset markets. This synthesis enables, for the first time, the establishment of clear quantitative boundaries for shake amplitude and frequency across different genres and media. The main conclusions suggest that camera shake enhances the subjective sensation of movement by activating the MT/MST complex and the sympathetic nervous system, while simultaneously increasing cognitive load and increasing the risk of cybersickness. The effect depends on the genre: in action films and horror movies, shaky-cam stimulates emotional arousal; in pseudo-documentary comedies, it strengthens viewer rapport; in VR and games, it requires fine-tuning of head bob and targeted vibrations. Effectiveness is ensured by precise dosing of shake, visual and auditory anchors, and the introduction of islands of calm, with subsequent verification through test screenings. This paper will be beneficial to directors, cinematographers, VR application designers, and researchers studying media perception.
Keywords
shaky-cam, optical flow, MT/MST, sympathetic activation, cognitive load, cybersickness, virtual reality
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