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The Art of Pulling Focus via FreshDV

The Art of Pulling Focus (Video from FreshDV)

Here is a video from FreshDV's Film School, a series that centers on a career camera assistant explaining his job and giving advice on how to pull focus. This particular video is one I watched when was I first learning how to pull focus.

by Evan Luzi | Camera Assisting | April 23, 2010 | Comments: 8

The video is summarized as thus:

FreshDV recently sat down with Bob Sanchez, a Chicago-based career 1st A/C with 30 years of feature filmmaking experience. In part one of our video series with Bob, Kendal Miller interviews him on what exactly it takes to do the job, and the tips and tricks he’s learned over the years. Bob explains his unique method of focus pulling with a speed crank, how he approaches measuring and marking a scene, and the tools he uses on a daily basis.

The series is extremely interesting and useful. Bob Sanchez has a good way of explaining the subtleties of pulling focus as well as giving out advice that I have used from time to time.

Watch Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Related posts:

  1. Camera Assistant Failure and Advice to Avoid Doing It Yourself (Video)
  2. Doug Hart on the Job of the 1st Assistant Camera (Video)
  3. How (Not) to Become a Camera Assistant
  4. ‘Focused’ The Profile of a Camera Assistant (Video)

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

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Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Read Next

Camera Assistant Failure and Advice to Avoid Doing It Yourself (Video)

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I want to call attention to a video I found simply titled "Camera Assistant Failure." In the video, the AC finds himself in a tight squeeze with a tricky focus pull, except he handled it poorly.

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3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Focus Puller Over the Weekend

3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Focus Puller Over the Weekend

Do you find pulling focus to be tough? You're not the only one. As Sam Garwood says, it's "a really simple really difficult job." The physical act is easy, but the mental pressure is immense. Even if you're an experienced focus puller, honing the skill is an ongoing battle.

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Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

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Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

Sign up now to get your free copy and exclusive tips from The Black and Blue.

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