Blog Post for Week 7
This week in class we attempted to get more comfortable with focus pulling. First off we got into small groups then we took our camera’s out and found a spot to shoot. We then applied a piece of tape to the side of the focus ring and began to mark the tape with specific focus lengths, depending on where our actors were standing. I thought i’d look further into focus pulling so decided to analyse the use of it within a film. Below is a clip from The Young Victoria (Jean-Marc Vallée, 2009).
Within a four and a half minute segment this film utilises numerous focus pulls.
Focus Pull #1 – 0:01
The first focus pull is used to exaggerate the number of glasses on the table, which is also seeks to exaggerate, the opulence of this party and the wealth of it’s attendees. The focus pull is quite beautiful, first we see the first glass in focus, then it switches to the second, skips a glass, switches to the third, then skips through a bunch more hitting specific glasses as me move through the entire row.
Focus Pull #2 – 0:11
The second focus pull switches between capturing an item of food on the table, to switching focus to the host of the party: King William. Directing the viewers attention to who William is looking at. Indeed it is a concerned face, as he stares at his niece (Queen Victoria) as she looks as astutely back at him.
Focus Pull #3 – 0:26
The third focus pull allows us to detect which person Lord Melbourne looks at, as he speaks to Victoria, also informing us also as to who he is speaking about.
Focus Pull #4 – 01:25
The fourth focus pull, pulls us away from Lord Melbourne and Victoria’s conversation, to the other side of the table where the Duchess of Sutherland and the Duke of Wellington begin to gossip about them.
Focus Pull #5 – 02:04
The fifth focus pull is used to intensify the King William’s feelings on confusion as he looks around the room, focusing on the orchestra in the back and then switching to a bright candelabra over head.
Focus Pull #6 – 2:13
The sixth focus pull allows us to see who King William is signalling at to turn off the music. This constant use of focus pulls to change focus on specific characters makes the audience feel as if there attention is constantly being darted around this room. Create an overall sense of complexity to the interactions and goings on of tonights event and simultaneously Victorian Society in the 1800’s.
Focus Pull #7 – 3:48
The seventh focus pull once again switches between two characters: Victoria and Queen Adelaide, tracking alongside King William’s conversation. We first focus on the woman who he is talking about and then switch focus to his wife, as she attempts to stop him from speaking, as he is beginning to embarrass himself.
Focus Pull #8 – 4:15
This focus pull almost brings us back full circle as we switch from attendees of the dinner, to the Duchess of Sutherland and the Duke of Wellington as they once again gossip about what is going on.
Until next time,
Louise Alice Wilson
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