What the crane does
The camera lifts and travels at the same time, like a crane arm. Grand exterior reveal, cinematic finale shot.
See the move
Lifts and travels. Lift and travel at once. Inside the app, every move also has a 3D preview of the rig and the exact photo map it asks for.
Best rooms for a crane
- Grand exterior reveals
- Front entries and porches
- Back gardens and pools
- The last clip of a reel
The 3 photos to take
Take them in one visit, in the same light. The first photo is where the clip opens and the last is where it lands, so shoot them in the order the camera should travel.
- 1
Low and close
Down low and near the subject — this is the opening frame.
- 2
Halfway up
Halfway back and halfway up — the view the arm swings through.
- 3
Raised, further back
Step back and hold the camera high — where the crane arm finishes.
Tips for a better crane
- Start low and close to the subject.
- Take the middle photo halfway back and halfway up.
- Finish high and far back — a step, a balcony or a pole helps.
Mistakes to avoid
- Only rising, or only stepping back — a crane needs both at once.
- Letting the subject drift out of the centre of the frame.
- A high photo taken from a completely different angle.
Not sure your photos will work? The AI Listing Planner reads a folder of photos, picks the move each room can support, and says what to re-shoot when a set won't work.
Questions
How many photos does a crane need?
3 photos of the same room: first low and close, then halfway up, last raised, further back. Take them in one visit in the same light — the crane opens on the first and lands on the last.
Can I make a crane shot without a drone?
Yes. Three photos — low and close, halfway up and back, then high and far — are enough. A step, a balcony or a pole camera gives you the height.
Is the crane included on every Villenza plan?
Yes — the crane, like every travel move, is on every plan at the same 720p HD output; plans differ only in listings per month.
New to listing video? Start with how to make a real estate listing video and what a photo set needs before the move works.