What is the function of a dolly in video production?

• A. To mount the camera on a wall
• B. To adjust color balance
• C. To create smooth camera movements
• D. To control the focus

Answer: (C)

Smooth camera movement is what a dolly provides. A dolly is a wheeled platform that carries the camera, often running on rails or smooth flooring, so you can roll the camera along a planned path. This lets you execute tracking shots, push-ins, or pull-outs with consistent framing and minimal shake, giving a polished, cinematic feel to the sequence. By controlling speed and direction, you can follow action or reveal new context without the jitter that comes from handholding. Color balance adjustments and focus control are separate tasks—white balance/color grading affects the image look, and focus control (often with a follow focus) adjusts sharpness. The dolly’s job is movement, not image parameters.