Focus puller
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In cinematography, a focus puller or first assistant camera (1st AC) is a member of a film crew's camera department who is responsible for keeping the camera properly focused during a shoot.
The role of the 1st AC (until recently known as Focus Puller) is one of the most skilled jobs on a film crew. 1st ACs are responsible for focusing and refocusing the camera lens as actors move within the frame of each shot, but they do not look through the lens to do this; they pull focus according to a set of complex marks (which are placed on the set, on the floor, on props, etc., during the Director's on-set rehearsal time with the cast), and by using their instincts and experience of judging focal lengths. As it is impossible to see whether the focus is sharp until the rushes are screened, 1st ACs rely on experience and instinct for each focal adjustment. Because re-shooting scenes is expensive, and actors may be unable to re-create their best take, 1st ACs must be extremely reliable and good at their work, and should be able to cope effectively in stressful situations.
1st ACs are also responsible for camera equipment such as lenses, filters and matt boxes, and for assembling the camera and its accessories for different shots. 1st ACs arrive on set or in the studio before the Director, Director of Photography and Camera Operator, and ensure that the camera and all required lenses are prepared for the day's shoot. If the Director or DoP wants to try out a specific lens, the 1st AC assembles the camera so that they can look through the eyepiece to assess the shot. At the end of each shooting day, 1st ACs clean the equipment and pack it up in preparation for the next day. If there is a problem with the rushes (such as a scratch on the film), Focus Pullers liaise with the Film Lab to rectify any faults with the camera or stock.
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[edit] Focus Pulling
Sharp focus is elemental to reproducing a realistic, appealing image, and a viewer's attention is automatically drawn to sharper areas. When done right, good pulling goes mostly unnoticed by the audience, but soft focus is distracting, nearly impossible to repair after the fact, and can ruin a take. Focus pullers are therefore expected to perform flawlessly every time.
To prepare for a take, the focus puller first measures the distances during rehearsals, sets reference marks with the help of the 2nd AC, compares them with the distance markers on the particular lens being used, and marks them on his/her follow focus ring. During a take, he/she modifies the focus based on the dialog, action, the DP's directions, and compensates on the fly for actors missing their marks or any unforeseen movement. In some situations, an actor's head moving even a few millimeters may require instantaneous focus correction.
Traditionally, the focus puller does not look at the recorded image to do his/her job; using the marks instead of just looking through the viewfinder produces far more reliable and repeatable results. With his/her position beside the camera he/she can see his off-frame marks, and also gain a three-dimensional view of the scene, critical for judging distances. This method evolved with film cameras, which have only one sharp viewing apparatus - taken by the camera operator. With the advent of digital video cameras and increasingly reliable LCD monitors, focus pullers do sometimes check their work on the screen.
Besides his/her eyes, the puller's main tools are a follow focus device and a distance measuring tool - usually with a tape measure[1] or, more recently, with electronic tape measures using lasers (some discourage the use of lasers due to a potential liability resulting from damage that the light might inflict on an actor[2]).
Professional 1st ACs have many tricks for pulling focus in difficult situations or when accurate measurement is impossible. Often, before a scene is even rehearsed or established, the 1st AC will take surveying measurements of the general environment in order to have a good idea of the distance between reference points, such as patterns on the floor or walls, furniture, and whatever else might be around. These reference measurements can be used to quickly establish rough distances between the camera and the subject in chaotic shooting circumstances when it is impossible to accurately measure the distance.
[edit] First Assistant Camera Duties
As the head camera assistant, the 1st AC is also responsible for the maintenance and organization of all camera equipment, applying or removing any accessories (lenses, filters, matte boxes and external viewing monitors), and reloading the camera with fresh recording media. The 1st AC reports to the director of photography, works alongside the camera operator, and oversees the 2nd assistant camera (also known as the "clapper loader") and any other members of the camera department.
[edit] References
- ^ "Focus puller & clapper loader training module intro". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9-i_L3Gu_Q. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
- ^ a b Paul Wheeler (2005). Practical Cinematography. Focal Press. ISBN 0240519620, 9780240519623.
- ^ Douglas C. Hart (1995). The camera assistant: a complete professional handbook. Focal Press. ISBN 0240800427, 9780240800424.
[edit] External links
- video of a focus puller at work: http://www.freshdv.com/2007/09/freshdv-film-school-the-art-of-pulling-focus-part-3.html
[edit] Further reading
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