Pull/Rack Focus

The Focus PullThe focus pull (AKA rack focus) is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.The shot below begins focused on the plant in the foreground, then adjusts focus until the girl is sharp.

                                                                                                                              

Aim: To experiment using Pull/Rack focusObjectives: -List the 3 key features of Pull/Rack focus-Create your own 2 minute sequence using Pull/Rack focus

What is pulling Focus?

The focus pull (AKA rack focus) is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.

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.

It sounds really simple, but it is one of the hardest jobs on a film set and full of immense amounts of pressure.

Why and when would you use it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzC0Ek6X5FY

Why and When would you use it?

The focus pull is useful for directing the viewer's attention. For example, if there are two people in shot but only one is in

focus, that person is the subject of attention. If the focus changes to the other person, they become the subject. This is often used in drama dialogues — the focus shifts backwards and forwards between the people speaking. A slightly more subtle trick is to focus on a person speaking then pull focus to another person's silent reaction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0FqlZTJjwA

Tutorial:

Key features:

1) Action of the scene (characters)2) Camera movement/composition (connection

between two characters or an object and a character)

3) Tone of the scene (the speed will change depending on the tone. E.g. a tense scene might have fast rack focus, whereas a sombre scene might require a slow rack focus).

Task

Working with DSLR cameras in groups of 4 – Use the 3 key features of rack/pull focus above to plan, shoot and edit your own 2 minute scene.

Pre-production:Script: Give your scene a title, include dialogue, character

descriptions, location and directions.Storyboard – indicate where you are going to include pull focusProduction: shoot your scene outside college ensuring that you

have practised your pull focus a few times, before the final take.

Post-Production: Add a title to your scene

Find copyright-free music or compose your own music to accompany your scene.