Focusing Techniques

Learn how to use focus tools - including the measuring technique, peaking, and 1:1 zoom to keep your shot in sharp focus

Focusing Techniques

Developed by Jason Tomaric, FilmSkills
ABOUT THIS LESSON
Although focusing is viewed as a purely technical process, it’s really a powerful artistic tool for the cinematographer.  This module takes you into the world of using focus to draw the audience’s attention to a subject, how to set focus with both prime and zoom lenses, unlocking the power of the hyperfocal distance, focusing techniques in both documentary and narrative productions, setting focus marks, focusing on moving subjects, minimum focus distance and pulling focus.
 
  • 23:21 video that teaches you how to properly focus both film and video cameras
  • Complete companion guide
  • Tips on using selective focus to accentuate the story
 
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
  • The technical importance of focus
  • The use of focus as a powerful storytelling tool
  • Using autofocus
  • The physics of focusing - what's really happening in the lens
  • Working with the hyperfocal distance and how to use it
  • Minimum focus
  • Techniques for setting focus with a digital camera
  • Techniques for setting focus with a film camera
  • How to measure the distance to the subject and set focus marks
  • How to use a follow focus to pull focus
  • How to maintain focus with a moving subject or camera
ABOUT THE LESSON AUTHOR
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Jason Tomaric

Jason Tomaric

Director, Cinematographer Los Angeles, California
Jason J. Tomaric is an Emmy, Telly, and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer of four internationally-distributed feature films, dozens of national television commercials, music videos, and the largest film training content library in the world, published author of 8 books - used in many top universities, and creator of AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform. 
 
Jason has worked in Los Angeles and around the world in over 20 countries. His clients include Disney, NBC/Universal, National Geographic, McDonald’s, Toyota, Scion, Microsoft, and Paul Mitchell, with narrative work screened at Sundance, Slamdance, and South by Southwest film festivals as well as on Netflix and on all broadcast networks.
 
Jason has taught and/or guest lectured at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA, Columbia College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, San Francisco State, University of Notre Dame, and numerous film festivals.
 
Jason has written eight industry-defining books, all sold in bookstores, and used in film schools around the world. The American Society of Cinematographers hails Jason's books - "There are no wasted words in Tomaric's tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director's craft.  It's difficult to think of a step in the process that Tomaric fails to address." 
 
Jason’s DVD training series on Hollywood film production have trained filmmakers in over 40 countries, with distributors in Europe, Hong Kong, New York and Australia.
 
In 2010, Jason launched FilmSkills, which combines the world’s largest film training video library with his proprietary learning management system.  Adopted by 47 universities within the first year, FilmSkills is now the leading industry-standard training solution for motion picture and television production.
 
In 2015, Jason launched AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.