Rack Focus (536.0K)

In a rack focus shot, the camera operator starts with the focus adjusted for one object, then smoothly changes to focus on another object, thus taking the original object out of focus.

Here, the shot starts focused on the heavy chain link, and then changes to focus on the boat as it passes by. As the boat comes into focus, the chain link goes out of focus.

In order to work, a shot must include objects that are different distances from the camera lens. The greater the distance, the more pronounced the rack focus effect.

Screen Direction Edited Clip (1174.0K)

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When you are taking shots of two people talking, you need to make sure that each person maintains the same screen direction at all times. To do this, imagine a line running through the two people as shown in the graphic. Then, make sure you shoot all of your shots from the same side of that line.

In the video example, the first five shots are fine because they are all shot from the same side of the line. And, in these five shots, the participants maintain the same screen direction; the man is always facing right and the woman is always facing left.

However, the last shot crosses the line and shoots from the opposite side. The result, as you see, is jarring: now the man is facing left and the woman is facing right. This effect is very disorienting to the viewer and should be avoided.