Monitors have become a standard tool for pulling focus. However sometimes any equipment can fail, but you still need to make sure to get the job done. What are your 10 tips and tricks of how to keep it sharp, even without a monitor? How do you train to judge the distance? Share your tips and tricks with the community:
I have 1, 2 and 3 meter marks on my kitchens floor... 😅
1 - Take the measurement of your span to visualize yourself in the space. 2 - Ask a sound boom while the travellings (when it's possible) to use it as distance indicator. (Thanks to Myriam Touzé) 3 - On set, take the measurement of a couch or something else that can help you to visualize in space. 4 - If there is floor tile, check the measurement of one, then you know exactly the distance between the actor and the camera. 5 - I start to search deeply in my head other advices. 6 - When we are on steadicam, I analyse the repetition and put a gaffer where he stop and check the distance. 7 - I try to always make a triangle between me, the camera and the actor to see correctly the distance. 8 - In street, they usually build repetetive stuff as the same distance, check the distance of one and you know your distances. 9 - As Aidan Grey said it into a podcast, I start to check how people walk in the street, trying to guess the distance. 10 - When I've some times at home, I take a my laser meter and guess the distance before to check what's the distance. And voilà ! (Hope everything is clear)
1) Stay calm. Being anxious about pulling leads to more errors.
2) Measure the space. Know how deep that desk is or how big those floor tiles are, make guessing on the fly easier.
3) Measure the distance from film plane to the end of the mattebox, useful for landing those close focus moments - "ah yes, they landed a two lenses and a mattebox away, that's just under 2 feet"
4) Know how tall your actors or operator is. If they were to lie down exactly where they are, would they land under the camera? Would they need to reach an arm to get there?
5) Have absolute confidence you're guessing the distances right, then check how far off you were. A take can still be usable if you're off but consistent, but not so usable if you're constantly second guessing and buzzing either side.
6) Know you're own body dimensions. Elbow to wrist, elbow to tip of fingers, shoulder to fingers, far shoulder to fingers etc etc.
7) If you're on remote, stand off to the side.
8) When working with steadicam, pay attention to how the operator shifts their weight. Their hips move first, then a foot, then the rig. You have a lot of time to anticipate every move.
9) Hand held with an FF4? Put one hand on the operators shoulder, one of the focus knob. Hand held is much harder to anticipate movement by sight as they can move so quickly. Feeling the operators weight shift can guide which way you start to pull even before you'd see them move.
10) Listen to your operator, they'll help you get sharp if you're off. Just don't listen to video village shouting if you're a hair out...
Edit: most of the time that I work without a monitor is also when there's no rehearsals or chance to put marks on the ground. I'm generally not big on triangles as I find I can just remember the number and the triangles block those, good for some shots though.
point 8 is interesting and it Applies To Actors too! Some move without leaning, but some lean first or after landing, some lean rightto lift up foot, then left&forward as the left foot lands etc. I could go on
another tip. If there is a rehearsal, or if the director is working with the actors watch how they move their pattern, BUT KNOW once the camera rolls they will be differnt
1) Stay calm, believe yourself 2) Stay close to the camera, eyes where film plane is, if it is possible 3) Use manual FF 4) Put mark on operator shoes and put marks on the floor during hand held shooting 5) Ask for rehersal as much you need 6) Try to remember usual movements of actors 7) Try to be on the same spot during takes 8) If you have to be away from the camera, be sure that you all time are able to see camera and actor 9) Find your own marks 10) Measure, measure, measure
1. It starts with being a 2nd AC and having a fun 1st AC to work with. So if you are a 2nd, play a game with your first, start guessing distances. If you are a 1st, play the game with your 2nd. If he wins too often you know you will loose him. 2. Measure your surroundings. Like others already mentioned. And they dont move, as actors do. So mark and measure things, natural marks. 3. Watch and learn. Meaning, just look at how people move. They will move their feet or hips before moving. If you can recognize it, you will never be too late. 4. If you use a monitor, try to switch it off. Start with the 25mm and go up once you start to gain trust in yourself. 5. Shoot film. Learn the hard way. You have to measure and trust your gut feeling. 6. Choose your weapon. Pick a tool which you trust. Love. And feel comfortable with. A remote. A rangefinder. Measuring tool. 7. Dont feel bad when its not good. We all have it. 8. When shooting handheld or with a grip, mark the operator or the dolly and keep an eye on both the actor and the operator. Being at a 45° angle from the axis will help you. 9. Use pre-marked rings. As weird as it may sound, it will make you a better focuspuller. Your brain and hand will know and work together since its always the same movement for the same distance. The more you train you hand, the more you can keep an eye on the scene. 10. Practice. Fail. Learn. And dont be hard on yourself. Its just a movie.
Only one!! Measure the length to the end of your matte box/flaps. And use that as a gauge for all other focus.
Keeping it simple and efficient!
another tip... Mental Mapping Meditation... Once you know the shot, or in our time of improv, the approximate shot, rehearse it in your mind, preferably while moving your hand to hit those approximate marks. If I am on a WCU 4, I will put the focus on LOCK and do this with the focus wheel/knob.