Job Description
The First Assistant camera (1 AC), a.k.a. Focus Puller is the second most important position in the Camera Department. As the title suggests you are the one responsible for keeping the right subjects in focus while the camera is shooting. Not only that! You are also responsible for maintaining and organizing the camera equipment on set, including cleaning the lenses and other camera gear, as well as running camera tests prior to filming together with the Cinematographer - your boss who you often call also Director of Photography (DOP).
- Handling the camera equipment and setting up the camera for each shot
- Pulling focus (maintain image sharpness on whatever subject or action is being filmed)
- Changing lenses
- Run camera tests prior to shooting
- Helping the DOP to run the camera department
- Focus and concentration
- Self-discipline
- Ability to take responsibility
- Basic knowledge how to handle
- Basic terminology
- Pulling focus
Director, DOP, 2nd AC, Producer, DIT, Script Supervisor
Set up Situation
During filming a scene in the Sahara Desert, the 1 AC had an accident – the wind swirls sand into his eyes and he can’t continue working. You in your role of 2 AC have watched him closely many times how he controls the focus ring, learning from his mastery. Now you bravely step in and start focus pulling. The Cinematographer is impressed by your talent and offers you a promotion as 1 AC not only for the day but till the end of the film project.