The actor walks from the window to the door, three metres closer to the lens. The camera moves backwards at the same time. On a large screen the difference between a sharp face and a soft one is a few centimetres. The first assistant camera, standing next to the camera with a small wheel in hand, keeps that face sharp all the way. That is the focus puller, and that wheel is their main tool.

What a first assistant camera does

The 1st AC works for the director of photography and next to the camera operator. The operator frames the shot. The focus puller makes sure the right thing in that frame is sharp, which is hard because most modern lenses on a large sensor have very little depth of field (the zone that looks sharp).

They start in pre-production with the camera prep. Several days at the rental house are spent building, testing and checking every camera body and lens. On set they measure distances to actors, place marks on the floor, change lenses and keep the camera working all day.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and test the camera package at the rental house before the shoot
  • Pull focus during every take, often with a wireless remote
  • Measure distances and agree marks with actors and the operator
  • Build the camera for each set-up and change lenses and filters
  • Look after the lenses and camera bodies, and report damage straight away
  • Lead the second assistant camera and camera trainees
  • Return the package to the rental house complete and checked

How the role touches the budget

Only indirectly. The 1st AC checks that the camera package matches the list the production rented, and reports lost or damaged items. Those reports matter to the production office because damage and loss go to the insurer or end up as a cost. Like the rest of the camera crew they work on a day or weekly rate, with overtime on timesheets.

How people get into the role

Most focus pullers start as camera trainee and work as second assistant camera for several years. Focus pulling is a skill learnt by doing it on set, often first on short films, commercials or a second camera on a feature. Some stay focus pullers for their whole career, because good ones are in demand.

US and UK titles

In the US the role is usually called "first assistant camera" or "1st AC". In the UK and much of Europe "focus puller" is the common name. It is the same job.