Who is responsible for pulling focus

[Kiril Valchanov]

Hello everybody,

Some short and simple question: Who is responsible for sharp focus during the steadicam shot? Steadicam operator or 1 AC? Exuse me, butt it was a little misunderstanding in my last work..."O sancta simplicitas" ;)

Thanks

Kiril

Edited February 24, 2011 by Kiril Valchanov

[Stefano Ben]

Hi Kiril!

 

Did you do a TV work???

 

The 1st AC obviously, in the Film/Movie Market.

 

Sometimes is required the zoom control to the Steadicam Op. but nothing more, or... your boss didn't know how the S.Op. works.

 

Best, Steve.

[paul magee]

Hey Kiril,

 

It is the AC's duties to pull focus but before he gets thrown under the bus you have to ask yourself if you did everything in your power

to allow the AC to do a good job. Did you have time to put down marks? Was there a rehearsal? Were you shooting wide open?

How experienced was this AC? Does he know how to use the Wireless FF? Was the Wireless FF working properly? Who else was watching the shot?

Did it seem soft to you off the green screen? Did anyone ask for a safety take? Did you ask the AC after the take if he had any issues that needed work?

Was the AC confident that the take was good? Did you confirm a good take to the DP?

is it soft due to a focus pull or is it a camera problem? Was there a prep day to catch a camera problem?

I don't know all the particulars of your situation but DPs, Operators ACs, dolly grips all belong to the camera department and we have to fight for the time to allow all of our people to do a good job. We also need to create and environment where we have each others backs. Maybe this AC's a bum and needs to be fired or maybe he's a kid

having a bad day but consider.... this AC might wind up being a big DP someday... so tread lightly.

 

 

Paul Magee, soc

[Kiril Valchanov]

Thank you guys

Steve it was a film work, SiFi actually. On RED, 50 mm lence, wide open,in "We shut the rehearsal" situation, night...on the eleventh hour in the rain:) I was exosted and angry after 10 long takes whit bad focus. Now I feel much better :))

Poul, thank you for your complete answer. Of course you are right for everiting. My qustion was almost rhetorical. I did everityng like in the books. My equpment is top noch, WFF too, AC was experienced, I hit the marks (the actors didn't) That wasn't the big problem. The problem was in unexperienced Director whо told me "Soft focus is your fall, becouse you are the camera operator, you have to see that and try to avoid it" :blink: . DP kept political silence...

Now...everything is good when finished good :)

Thanks again

Kiril

[RonBaldwin]

"Soft focus is your fall, becouse you are the camera operator, you have to see that and try to avoid it" :blink: . DP kept political silence...

 

I guess it would be the director's fault when the actor flubs a line then? Sounds like an asshat. Too bad the dp was inexperienced or he could have stepped in and been the diplomat (that seems to take up more of the job than lighting these days) and helped the situation.