Rod Marley, Focus Puller

After taking a degree in Geography and Visual Studies, Rod worked as a stills photographer’s assistant. He then worked for a camera rental house as a camera prep technician, before leaving to work as a camera trainee on productions such as ‘Howard’s End’ and ‘The Remains of the Day’. Rod went on to work as a clapper loader (2nd Assistant Cameraman) on films such as ‘Ever After’ and ‘A Knight’s Tale’. Since 2000, Rod has worked as a focus puller (1st Assistant Cameraman) on many commercials, television productions and feature films, such as ‘The 51st State’, ‘Garfield’ and ‘28 Weeks Later’.

JOB PROFILE

The job of the focus puller is to keep the actors and the point of action sharp. This is done by putting marks down for the actors and measuring distances accurately. All the shot data they gather is reported to the script supervisor.

The focus puller has many other duties – unpacking and packing the equipment, maintaining it and keeping it clean. They are also responsible for supervising the camera department. He or she manages the camera team and liaises with the Director and Director of Photography about the equipment, lenses, exposure settings, frame rates, focus splits, etc. They liaise with production about any extra camera equipment or crew required.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

A focus puller needs a tape measure, a disto (laser distance measurer) and most important of all, a good 2nd Assistant Cameraman.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

  • Be happy with the deal you make
  • Be accurate, punctual, polite and know people's names
  • Listen, concentrate and take pleasure in the detail