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What is Rack Focus?


"Rack focus" is a camera technique in which a blurry image is slowly adjusted into focus for dramatic effect. We could try to force that metaphor to be our blog's mission statement, but we're not going to push it. 
 
Rack Focus shares production stories, ideas and tips. To learn more about our personal and family heritage documentaries, visit our new Reel Profiles blog

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Time to add an octopus to our HD camera crews?

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As in many professions, having eight arms would certainly make life easier in the world of television and video production -- especially when we are at the airport.  However, based on this amazing footage taken by a kleptomaniac octopus off the coast of New Zealand, we're sticking with human cameramen.

At the risk of sounding judgmental, the footage from this octopus is a bit too shaky and randomly scattered for our tastes. If he or she (how do you tell the gender of an octopus) truly wanted to capture the scene, we would have seen some wideshots and closeups of the diver chasing after his precious camera.

We do have tremendous admiration for the diver, Victor Huang, who was not intimidated by the ocean beast and fearlessly chased after his equipment despite the octopus' obvious superiority in swimming and upper body strength.

It's the kind of never-ever-quit attitude that would make him a great fit on the Award Productions creative team.

Marketing Video Freak Show: Contortionist DJ has a face for radio

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Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes...

While working on a promotional video for Boston's WROR 105.7 FM, we had the pleasure of observing comic genius Tom Doyle -- who might be the only human being capable of rolling his pupils back into his head.

The ongoing party trick, performed for visitors at Boston's "See New England" tourism expo, was framed in a retro circus sideshow tent he wore on his head.

Put your face close to the computer screen for the third slide. We dare you.

 


The ‘Flying Car’… Capturing Historic First Flight

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Not knowing what it was like to be there on the beach of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for Orville and Wilbur’s first flight, we can only imagine the work that must have gone into preparing for that historic event.  Through the years people have imagined what it would be like to see a flying car, but we never thought we would be there the day that one actually took flight.

From the beginning of the design of the proof of concept vehicle, as the camera crew we’ve been able to be part of the journey to capture the “Transition” becoming a reality.  From the test drives to preparing for the first flight we’ve been honored to be there every step of the way.  All the work culminated on a cold March morning at the airport in Plattsburgh, NY when we stood alongside the runway as Terrafugia’s “Transition” reached liftoff.  One of the challenges of capturing a live event like this is not knowing where or when on the 2 mile stretch of  runway the aircraft will actually liftoff.  Also, it was much colder than Kittyhawk… dawn in Plattsburgh averaged a balmy 9 degrees!  But the flying car’s moment — years in the making — finally came.  Through teamwork and experience we were truly thrilled to capture this landmark event in HD.

 

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