A Day In The Life Of A 1st AC/Focus Puller (Short Documentary)

My name is Jamie and I recently just finished working on a feature film called “Morris Men.” I was the 1st Ac/Focus Puller for the film. And I want to share with you what a day in the life of a 1st AC looks like. This was my second time, working as a focus puller on a feature film. I have to say one of the most, challenging things I have ever done. But it was a great experience!
All behind the scenes are from the feature film "Morris Men." Coming 2022!
(I do not own the rights to the NASCAR pit crew footage, it is used for educational purposes.)
#morrismenmovie

[@timeallofgreatestthe]

1st AC tip, ALWAYS keep a Tilta Nano, rod support, and wireless monitoring in your kit for emergencies.

[@loudmotion5639]

Just found myself being 1st ac in an entire indie movie...I thought I knew how to pull focus (been pulling focus since i started, so 3 years but man did I not know shit lol good thing we had an awesome director that was also acting as dp :) I learned so much in these past two months particularly in narrative film-making .. I was like a sponge and found out that being 1st ac was not really for me, you had to be so consistent even at odd hours and everyone relies on your focus pulling skills even when everyone is tired at 4am and after 14hr of non stop shooting...you had to be concentrated to the max and still deliver ~_~ but it was a great and wonderful experience! will I do it again? totally yes!

[@webstersantana1614]

Thank you for the video! I learned a lot. Continue the hard work

[@puregarbagefilms]

Thank you for this.

[@melemkharsati]

Very insightful! This is really helpful

[@AverageJoe12344]

Looks awesome mate. Mad to see how far you’ve come. Good luck for the future!

[@jamiejwright67]

Thanks mate really appreciate it, hope all is well with you!

[@AverageJoe12344]

@@jamiejwright67 all is good dude. Not as interesting as what your doing though. Keep up the good work, 10 years time I wanna see a movie directed by Jamie Wright!

[@henryschwind6271]

Absolutely amazing work my man, very informative

[@jamiejwright67]

Thanks man, glad you found it informative!

[@DanielTroyer]

I'm not sure at what point in life I'd have to be where I'd want an AC pulling focus from the barrel of my lens instead of just doing it myself😂 Good on ya though, that's no easy task!

[@raildude270]

Haha for real that seems so much harder to operate the camera like that

[@flipnap2112]

how would you hold the camera?

[@raildude270]

@@flipnap2112 one hand on the camera, one hand on the focus ring

[@flipnap2112]

@@raildude270 that wasn't a camera you can successfully glide that way. its not a BMPCC4k. you drop that thing you walk home. maybe with an easy rig you'll be fine

[@austinsabado921]

Nice job

[@jackcornell231]

You love to see it

[@Danefrak]

Interesting video

[@LaceyFilm]

The focus puller should not be concerning themselves with batteries and media. Those are the 2nd AC's responsibility. Also, the distance markings on adapted stills lenses, like the Samyangs, can't be trusted. During prep you need to run out a measuring tape to a focus chart and check the distances thoroughly for every lens.

[@YannickFilms]

Interesting!💯

[@jamiejwright67]

Thanks!

[@saenamix]

very nice

[@derekgodwin]

Hey man, what path to becoming an AC do you recommend? I started last year as a PA in commercials and have gradually worked my way over to driving a camera truck. I’ve gotten comfortable with handling batteries and lenses well enough when needed but it seems that most of these tasks have already been delegated to 2nd AC or a camera utility. So my question is, how do I get someone to trust me enough to bring me on as a utility or 2nd AC? I’ve got my own mirror less camera that I’m building a rig for currently including a smallrig manual focus knob to practice focusing on camera. Should I pick up a used nucleus or something similar for myself so that I can have some first hand experience on that as well? Or what would you suggest? Thanks! Looking at some more of your videos now.

[@timeallofgreatestthe]

Offer utility and 2nd AC services (media management, camera PA, etc.) for free. Get a nucleus nano and film solo as much as you can. When you feel comfortable enough to manage a camera team on a multi-million dollar shoot just start finding moments to tell everybody you know that you can pull focus and eventually you’ll find a DP to trust you on multiple shoots. Then, as you get better and build a solid AC kit you’ll see a steady flow of referrals come in.

[@Syko3000]

Great content!! I’m working to be a a 1st AC. What equipment should you have at all times? An which equipment can you get on set or from each production

[@jorgealbertomendezgarcia1230]

WNice tutorialch version do you use to get all the setup and polyphonic softs?

[@alexkennedy5133]

How did you get your tilta nucleus m to have a light up focus ring?

[@hippopictures]

Great video! How detailed is the conversation with the director in regards to when to change focus, or what to focus on? Do you get the instructions the day of filming or before?

[@LaceyFilm]

Generally the focus puller won't be discussing focus with the director, unless it's for something specific like the timing of a pull. These would typically be discussed after a rehearsal of the specific shot. I'd be more likely to ask the camera operator first, as a pull will often be based of their camera move.

[@raildude270]

How often do you rely solely on the monitor and tools like focus peaking?

[@noimnotarobotcanubeleiveit7024]

imagine doing this 40 years ago..... wuss

[@bmon9682]

music is unnecessary