In cinematography, what does the term 'Truck left (TL)' mean?

The term 'Truck left (TL)' in cinematography refers to moving the entire camera and tripod horizontally in a parallel direction to the left side. This technique allows for capturing movement within a scene or changing the composition of the shot while maintaining the same angle of view. The action of trucking left helps filmmakers to follow subjects or explore different elements within the frame more dynamically.

In contrast, the other options refer to different camera movements or angles. Viewing the scene from above involves a different setup and perspective, while moving the camera and tripod to the right is the opposite of trucking left. Rotating the camera vertically pertains to a tilt movement rather than a lateral shift. Thus, the definition of 'Truck left (TL)' is specifically aligned with the movement of the camera to the left to achieve a particular visual storytelling effect.