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Focus pulling cinematography with GH5

May 26, 2021

In todays blog, I’m experimenting with some focus pulling shots.


If you don’t already know, most cinema cameras and lenses don’t come with auto focus, which can make it very hard to get focus in films. This is why there is a whole job dedicated to pulling focus (or focus raking) and it’s called the first AC.


So what is the job of the first AC? As masterclass puts it ‘The first assistant camera has one main job: they sit next to the camera during filming and operate the lens’s focusing ring. The role of the focus puller is to keep the right subject in focus throughout each scene.’ A video from Film Riot goes further into the job of the first AC and I highly recommend watching it here: bit.ly/3sOQIc8


On a professional set, you’ll see the first AC, using something called a wireless follow focus. It basically lets you take focus, away from the camera. I’ve linked a relatively affordable one in the description. But of course you don’t need this gear to take focus when you can do it straight from the camera, this kit only makes the job easier, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t pull it off with limited kit.


So how can you practise pulling focus? Set up camera and practise. Over time your precision will get better and better.


If you enjoyed this video then chances are you’ll enjoy some of the other things we make. Check out our website for more creative content, and follow me on instagram, to take part in quizzes, polls, help choose thumbnails for videos and be the first to receive updates about Under The Ledge. See you in the next one.


LINKS:

► Sign up to our weekly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hobVbb

► Filmmaking 101: The Role of a 1ST AC (Film riot): https://bit.ly/3sOQIc8

► Article by masterclass: https://bit.ly/3bcrEps

► Affordable Wireless Follow-Focus: https://bit.ly/3qogsul

► The best manual controls for video on a phone: https://bit.ly/385g9Ow


SOCIALS:

► Website ~ www.Undertheledge.com

► Newsletter ~ http://eepurl.com/hobVbb

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