About Shakycam

The history behind ...

Have you ever seen a movie or TV-show where two people sit and talk to each other face to face. They do not move much, they sit at ease and have a relaxed conversation. This is filmed by a raving drunk one-eyed pirate with a peg leg: The camera moves all over, ineccesary jitter, zoom and shakyness takes you out of the story.

I noticed this was a increasing trend in all kind of movies and shows, not only action. I therefore created this app, where you can help me find these monstrosities. No matter the IMDB-score, I will look here to see if something is worth my time.

A real life example: I have several times been told "this is the best show, you must watch it!", and then I try watching "The Office" ... After a couple of minutes of the camera spinning out of control I can't take it no more, no matter how good it is supposed to be.

Our Rating Scale

10Cinematic magic and wizardry. Watching it is like balsam for the soul. NB! There are almost no movies or shows with this rating.

9Masterclass. Hitchcock would be envious.

8Tripod/Gimbal with zero jitter.

7Smooth - Any movement is with controlled walking or IBIS stabilization.

6Handheld Stable - Minor natural sway. Starting to get more meh.

5Handheld Mostly Stable - More sway than necessary.

4Handheld Active - Noticeable shocks and footfalls.

3Handheld Too active - Stop shaking the camera.

2Erratic - Significant instability. Who put this guy in charge?

1Total chaos and mayhem. Drunk one-eyed pirate with a peg leg. Example: The Office

How It Works

1.Search for any movie or TV show.
2.Rate the camera shakyness on a scale of 1-10.
3.Add optional (short) comment (think "mostly harmless").
4.Browse ratings from other film enthusiasts.
5....
6.SUCCESS!

Questions & Answers

What makes Shakycam different?

Unlike general film ratings, we focus exclusively on camera stability - helping viewers find content that matches their preference for smooth or dynamic cinematography.

Can I rate older films?

Absolutely! Our database includes both classic and contemporary titles. If something isn't listed yet, you can add it through the search function.

Is shaky footage always bad?

Not at all! Some films use handheld camera work intentionally for artistic effect. Our ratings simply help viewers know what to expect before watching. Example: Following people through a jungle with a handheld camera might add to the experience. If the handheld camera is held by a drunk one-eyed pirate with a peg leg -- not so much.

Isn't it spelled "Shakey"?

The correct spelling is shaky. It is an adjective used to describe something that is trembling, unsteady, or not secure, such as "a shaky table" or "shaky hands". "Shakey" is a common misspelling and is not considered correct in standard English.

Haven't I seen that wizard and pirate somewhere?

Well, they first appeared here: Raffolade - The Wizard

If you don't like shaky movies, why do you watch them?

I intend not to! That is why I made this site!

Are you an old man that yells at clouds?

I assert my rights to do be angry at shaky movies -- and yell at clouds.

How are average scores calculated?

Each title's stability score is the average of all user ratings. More ratings mean a more accurate representation of the film's overall camera work.

Oh noes, someone rated my movie with a low score, I put my life into it. Now I'm questioning everything

Deep breaths. Even the classics have one-star reviews. If your work didn't resonate with a specific critic, it's likely a mismatch of expectations. Your film might be a neon-soaked adrenaline rush designed for the 'distraction-free' generation, while the reviewer was looking for a quiet period piece. You didn't fail; you just haven't found your 'tribe' yet.

Why does this site exist and not something else?

Because nobody else made it. Also, the internet needed more places to complain about camera work.

How can I contact you to suggest improvements, give you things like free stuff and money, etc?

Find us here: Shakycam on Facebook

Join the Community

Whether you're a cinematographer, film student, or just someone who notices when the camera gets a little too bouncy, Shakycam is your place to share observations and discover films with the visual stability you prefer.