History Main / ArrowCam

* Similarly, this is outright necessary for loitering munitions (also known as "kamikaze drones"), because once deployed they're meant to patrol/scout an area until they find a target and only ''then'' divebomb towards it, recording all the while until the payload goes off and the SnowyScreenOfDeath kicks in. Often this footage is later spread around for propaganda/morale purposes, and with Russia's invasion of Ukraine such videos have become trivial to find.

* Similarly, this is outright necessary for loitering munitions (also known as "kamikaze drones"), because once deployed they're meant to patrol/scout an area until they find a target and only ''then'' divebomb towards it, recording all the while until the payload goes off and the SnowyScreenOfDeath kicks in.

* When Ross gets hit by a hockey puck in ''Series/{{Friends}}'', it's seen from the puck's perspective. [[spoiler:And then it happens again, this time when it hits the BattleaxNurse attending him]].

* In an early episode of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' we have an ArrowCam without an arrow as Negi mentally homes in on his lost wizard's staff.
* A similar effect happens in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' whenever a member of the Hyuga clan uses the telescopic aspect of their Byakugan vision jutsu.

* In various animated media involving ''Manga/Golgo13''. (There was a homage to this in the animated portion of ''Film/KillBill''.)
* Used in episode 6 of ''Anime/GirlsUndPanzer'', as it follows a round fired by Miho's tank towards Saunder's flag tank, moments before her own tank gets knocked out by the Saunder's firefly Sherman tank.
* Used in the beginning of the opening title for ''LightNovel/TheAmbitionOfOdaNobuna''. The arrow is aimed at the title character, Oda Nobuna, but she slices it in half before it hits her.

* Perhaps the best-known usage comes from the early-90s Kevin Costner film ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''. It should be noted that the shot was originally used only in the trailer, but proved so popular that it was added to the film.

* ''Series/TheBrittasEmpire'': In "[[Recap/TheBrittasEmpireS3E4TwoLittleBoys Two Little Boys]]", Brittas accidentally causes a lit firework to go off, with the camera proceeding to follow the firework from behind as it rushes down a corridor and into a large amount of oil being stored in the weights room.

* ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'':
** The ''Unreal Tournament'' games ([[VideoGame/UnrealTournament UT]], [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 UT2003, UT2004]] and [[VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII UT3]]) allows you to take control of a tac-nuke missile known as the Redeemer, with its alternative fire, and guide it around until it explodes. You are left vulnerable, since you can't see what's happening around you in this mode, though.
** Being gibbed at any point would treat the player to a "head bouncing around-cam" shot in UT and [=UT3=].
** There's also a mod which lets you actually ride the rocket. Naturally, the mod is called [[Film/DrStrangelove Strangelove]].
** ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'' (the [[UpdatedRerelease ECE Edition]] and Bonus Pack 2) and ''VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII'' features the [[FunWithAcronyms SPMA]] [[CarFu vehicle]], short for ''Self Propelled Mobile Artillery''. The second fire of the main seat lets you take control of a small missile which acts as both a satellite-like cam (where you choose where to shoot your next swarm of missiles) and a projectile. While it's shooting, you can follow said projectile's trajectory. It has the same drawback as the Redeemer, though.
* The Slayer weapon in ''VideoGame/PerfectDark'' has a secondary fly-by-wire mode that allows the player to control the missile remotely while watching through an built-in camera.
* The AT 420 Sentinel in ''VideoGame/TheWorldIsNotEnough'' can fire guided missiles using its laser pointer. In Singleplayer when firing a guided missile, a built-in camera will appear, making it easier to hit the desired target. Oddly, the camera has a night vision lens.
* The Seeker Missiles in ''Franchise/{{Star Wars|Legends}}: VideoGame/ShadowsOfTheEmpire'' have a built-in camera that can be enabled or disabled in the options menu.
** In ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefrontII,'' guided missiles are controlled like this. It is awarded by earning a Demolition medal or by playing as Chewbacca.
* The ''Nikita'' remote controlled missile is a favourite in the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series. Normally, the missile is controlled from a top-down view. However, in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', there is an option to go into first-person mode while controlling the missile, displaying full screen the view from the built-in camera onboard, and in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'', this is the view the player is forced into for the Nikita.
* The Visibomb Gun from ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 Ratchet & Clank]]'' has a similar just-behind-the-missile-view, and enough range (and steerability) that you can often sit at the beginning of the stage, and hit enemies at the very end. It was subsequently toned down in power when it returned in the sequel, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]''.

** In ''VideoGame/MaxPayne,'' this happened every single time you hit someone with the sniper rifle. This is, of course, a homage to Ringo Lam. It also happens occasionally when you deal a killing shot against an enemy.

* Targeting your own bombs in the ''VideoGame/{{Freespace}}'' video game series allows you to view it in

* ''VideoGame/TotalWar'':
** ''VideoGame/RomeTotalWar'' allowed you to have the camera follow the projectiles of a selected ranged unit.
** ''VideoGame/MedievalTotalWar'' has the same trick.
** ''VideoGame/EmpireTotalWar'' also does this, for artillery/cannon and ships.
* In ''VideoGame/CliveBarkersJericho'', all the playable characters have different weapons and abilities. One of them packs a sniper rifle, and has the ability to fire a bullet, whereupon you not only enter a SloMo Arrow Cam, but can telekinetically control the bullet. Really fun to just shoot one off and drive it into a demonic monster's skull.

* In ''Comanche 3'', the camera can change to follow a locked-on missile to its target.
* There is a chance of this happening with any type of projectile weapon fired while in V.A.T.S. mode in ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''. It most often happens when it is the [[CriticalHit killing shot]].
** Oddly, the game will occasionally try to do this with buckshot, resulting in a spasmatic camera that can't quite pick a pellet to follow. Luckily, you still get to see the resulting LudicrousGibs.
** Also seen in ''FNV'''s intro when an NCR Ranger snipes a raider.

* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}} II'' had the camera-guided-missile variety.
* ''VideoGame/CrimsonSkies'' also had a bunch of camera-guided-missile turrets... in the 1930s. Granted, the world of that series is not exactly identical to ours, what with the DividedStatesOfAmerica and all that, but still...
* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'':
** When playing a multiplayer game in ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty4ModernWarfare'', if a player is killed by an explosive (eg. Thrown grenade, grenade fired from grenade launcher, RPG rocket, or even bombs from airstrikes), the killcam will track that projectile when replaying the kill.
** And in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'', you can remote-control an AGM missile fired from a [[DeathFromAbove Predator Drone]]. It also adds the throwing knife to the above list, which, not being an explosive like the others, can lead to an improbable amount of bouncing around before it hits its mark.
* The Multiplayer of ''VideoGame/StarFoxAssault'' includes an example of this with the rocket launcher setting. Both players must use Arrow-Cam missiles, leading to "Jousting".

* The space combat sim ''Independence War'' has remote piloted missiles which the player manually flies to the target and detonates. Notably, the missile has a large blast radius, so you don't need to actually hit a target to hurt them. Also your ship is not invulnerable while you're busy flying the missile.
* Used in SSI's ''Fighting Steel'' game. While you never see your salvo's actual shells, with the right options set the camera will every so often follow their arc to the target.

* Most ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' games allow you to follow a missile or bomb after it has been fired. However, the weapon cannot be controlled and the camera is a few feet behind it.
** Likewise, the ''VideoGame/AirForceDelta'' games also feature this.
** As does ''F/A-18 Hornet/Precision Strike Fighter'', which includes the aforementioned Walleye missile.
* ''VideoGame/{{Dystopia}}'' uses this when you fire a rocket in fly-by-wire mode.
* Batarangs throughout the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'' -- you can not only control the RC batarangs but follow the regular ones.
* Used when you fire the [[OneBulletLeft final bullet]] to take down the BigBad in ''VideoGame/SilentScope''.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Singularity}}'' you occasionally get to use a weapon called the Seeker. When fired while aiming down the sights, the game allows you to steer the bullet around in slow motion until it hits something.
%%* VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}: Don't fuck [[MemeticMutation with a witch]], because she will home that [[ItMakesSenseInContext lipstick]] at [[spoiler:your [[BigBad father]]'s]] forehead and you will [[ClusterFBomb fuck shit]] up! [[spoiler:Turns out he's FakingTheDead.]]
* Done with the spears in ''VideoGame/{{Vindictus}}''. It fills the whole screen if you aim manually, but just gives a little picture-in-picture window if you let it auto-aim.
* Done with ranged items and the beetle in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword''. While the former is done largely for the sake of immersion and aesthetics, the latter is done because you are controlling the beetle as it flies through the air.

* This was added in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' with a patch. It also applies to kills done via spells.
** To the annoyance of some players due to occasionally watching the movement, in slow motion, of an arrow that misses.

%%* VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}: Don't [[PrecisionFStrike fuck]] [[MemeticMutation with a witch]], because she will home that [[ItMakesSenseInContext lipstick]] at [[spoiler:your [[BigBad father]]'s]] forehead and you will [[ClusterFBomb fuck shit]] up! [[spoiler:Turns out he's FakingTheDead.]]

* The Australian comedy series ''Pizza'' used ArrowCam constantly, any time anything was shot or thrown.

* Famously sent up on the sketch series ''Series/AlmostLive'' with their "Billy Quan'' sketches; Billy's FinishingMove was a double-foot jumpkick, shot in this fashion, which could apparently home in on his opponent. The camera is from his viewpoint, and his legs jut into the shot.

* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'' features another "point of view" arrow shot.

Used lots in ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'' and ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess''.

* In an early episode of ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' we have an ArrowCam without an arrow as Negi mentally homes in on his lost wizard's staff.

* In various animated media involving ''Manga/{{Golgo 13}}''. (There was a homage to this in the animated portion of ''Film/KillBill''.)

* ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}''

* ''Max Payne''

* ''VideoGame/TotalWar''

* There is a chance of this happening with any type of projectile weapon fired while in V.A.T.S. mode in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''. It most often happens when it is the [[CriticalHit killing shot]].

* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty''

* Firing a missile in ''[[Videogame/{{X}} X-Universe]]'' series will pop up a small display in the top left or right of the screen showing the missile's view as it flies towards its target. Firing multiple missiles will transfer the camera to the newest missile, and RecursiveAmmo missiles will have a random missile selected for the view.

* ''VideoGame/ToySoldiers''

* In ''Warframe'', Ivara possesses an ability that allows the player to steer the projectile of any equipped projectile weapon.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* Inverted twice in ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', where we see a person drop dead, then the camera shows the bullet returning to the shooter while action is rewinded.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' features another "point of view" arrow shot.

** In ''VideoGame/MaxPayne,'' this happened every single time you hit someone with the sniper rifle. This is, of course, a homage to Ringo Lam.

* The Seeker Missiles in ''Franchise/{{Star Wars|Expanded Universe}}: VideoGame/ShadowsOfTheEmpire'' have a built-in camera that can be enabled or disabled in the options menu.

* A similar effect happens in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' whenever a member of the Hyuuga clan uses the telescopic aspect of their Byakugan vision jutsu.

* Firing a shell with middle click in ''WorldOfWarships'' will make the camera track your shot.

** In ''Toy Soldiers'', when directly controlling an artillery gun, a mortar, a tank , or an anti-infantry cannon, you can hold down the fire button after launching a shell to enter shell cam. In shell cam mode, you can speed up or slow down the projectile ([[YouFailPhysicsForever this does not change the projectile's trajectory]]) as well as adjust its direction, though only to the left or right.

* And again in the tabletop RPG spoof movie, ''Film/TheGamers.'' In this one the arrow actually ''stops and looks around'' at one point before finding its target. "Natural 20!"

* Creator/SamRaimi used several POV shots in the ''Franchise/EvilDead'' series, and ''Film/ArmyOfDarkness'' featured a literal Arrow Cam when Arthur shoots an escaping captive in the back.

* The ''Unreal Tournament'' games ([[VideoGame/UnrealTournament UT]], [[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 UT2003, UT2004]] and [[VideoGame/UnrealTournamentIII UT3]]) allows you to take control of a tac-nuke missile known as the Redeemer, with its alternative fire, and guide it around until it explodes. You are left vulnerable, since you can't see what's happening around you in this mode, though.

** In ''VideoGame/StarWarsBattlefront II,'' guided missiles are controlled like this. It is awarded by earning a Demolition medal or by playing as Chewbacca.

* In ''VideoGame/MaxPayne,'' this happened every single time you hit someone with the sniper rifle. This is, of course, a homage to Ringo Lam.
** In the third game, it is done for every kill shot on the last enemy in a group, as well as successful Last Man Standings.

* ''VideoGame/RomeTotalWar'' allowed you to have the camera follow the projectiles of a selected ranged unit.

* When playing a multiplayer game in ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare'', if a player is killed by an explosive (eg. Thrown grenade, grenade fired from grenade launcher, RPG rocket, or even bombs from airstrikes), the killcam will track that projectile when replaying the kill.
** And in ''Modern Warfare 2'', you can remote-control an AGM missile fired from a [[DeathFromAbove Predator Drone]]. It also adds the throwing knife to the above list, which, not being an explosive like the others, can lead to an improbable amount of bouncing around before it hits its mark.

* In ''VideoGame/ToySoldiers'', when directly controlling an artillery gun, a mortar, a tank , or an anti-infantry cannon, you can hold down the fire button after launching a shell to enter shell cam. In shell cam mode, you can speed up or slow down the projectile ([[YouFailPhysicsForever this does not change the projectile's trajectory]]) as well as adjust its direction, though only to the left or right.
** In Toy Soldiers: Cold War, you get access to the anti-tank tower, which are just some toy soldiers using models of real world rocket/missile launchers as if they were real. When shell cam is used on these towers, you can control the rocket's up and down pitch in addition to turning them left or right, similarly to other remote controlled missiles mentioned above. This, coupled with the speed controls, means that you can hit any target on the map, regardless of elevation or speed. Tier 3 anti-tank towers become anti-EVERYTHING towers when directly controlled due to this, as their missiles will [[OneHitKill 1-2 shot most enemies with a direct hit]]. Even '''bombers''' are not safe from your [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BGM-71_TOW TOW]] missiles of [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom doom]].

* Perhaps the best-known usage comes from the early-90s Kevin Costner film ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''. It should be noted that the shot was originally used only in the trailer, but proved so popular that it was added to the film.
* Naturally, this was subsequently parodied by Mel Brooks in the trailer to his movie ''Film/RobinHoodMenInTights''.

* Used during the night club shootout in early-90's Heroic Bloodshed film ''Full Contact'' between the main character Gou Fei and the villain Judge, except with bullets of course, including one rather explicit moment when a bullet hits someone square in the head and comes out of the back.

* ''Film/CopAndAHalf'' invented the ''"Twinkie Cam"'' ([[ShapedLikeItself it's like an Arrow Cam]], only attached to a thrown twinkie).
* ''Film/LordOfWar'' has the opening credits played over [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d0d6qgsvTw the manufacturing, shipping, loading, and eventual firing of a bullet]] using this technique.
* ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia: Film/PrinceCaspian'' does this twice.
* ''Film/TheLastSamurai'' did this with, if I recall correctly, a javelin or similar weapon.
* Done in the animated film ''The Swan Princess''.
* The Creator/BillPlympton short ''Draw!'' features a western gunfight from the bullet's point of view.
* Done in ''Film/BladeTrinity'', but as an amusing anecdote. The actress firing the arrow was not expected to do very well and was told to fire as close to the camera as she could. She put the arrow dead center, and about six inches into the camera.
* The last bullet fired in ''Film/TheQuickAndTheDead''.
* At the beginning of ''Film/TurboAPowerRangersMovie''. Also seen in the trailer.
* Used with somewhat larger projectiles in ''Film/PearlHarbor'', with air-to-sea Torpedo Cam shots homing in on navy vessels.

* ''Film/TerminatorSalvation'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT9k7mGze4I introduces itself]] with what looks like a modern cruise missile on a bombing run towards Skynet Research and Development Facility.
* Late in ''Film/TheAvengers2012'', an arrow cam rides one of Hawkeye's shots to Loki, who [[ArrowCatch catches it]] with a smirk ... right before [[TrickArrow it explodes]].
* In the second ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' movie, this trope is used when Percy throws his convertible pen-sword down the throat of the Colchis Bull. An especially impressive example, as the pen unfolds into a sword as it's hurtling into the mechanical beast's clockwork guts, lodging in the core of its workings and rendering it inoperable.
* ''Film/TheATeam'': Shown on Reaper UAV missiles. TruthInTelevision.

* The Australian comedy series ''Pizza'' used ArrowCam constantly, any time anything was shot or thrown.

* In the sit-com ''Series/{{Titus}}'', one flashback had the title character challenge his father to a fight. The point of view then switches to his father's fist (with "Fist-Cam" helpfully flashing the bottom) one-shotting Titus.

* ''VideoGame/SniperElite'',''VideoGame/SniperEliteV2'', and ''VideoGame/SniperEliteIII'': Various skilled shots will show the bullet flying into your target. In Sniper Elite V2 and Sniper Elite III, this also includes shots on certain explosive items or certain kill shots on vehicles.