The focuspulleratwork Podcast

Join us in this episode as we sit down with industry legend Howard Preston. With a career spanning over 40 years, Howard's groundbreaking innovations have left an indelible mark on the film industry. From inventing the first microforce zoom controller to pioneering wireless lens control systems, Howard's journey is one of innovation, perseverance, and passion for the craft. Listen in as we delve into Howard's early days, his contributions to filmmaking technology, and his thoughts on the latest developments in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring filmmaker, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in and discover the fascinating story behind one of the industry's most influential figures.    

Another Shifting Focus episode with Mathias Näslund, Co-founder of CRDBAG in Sweden. CRDBAG are innovating the way we pack our equipment in the most efficient way, by providing high quality and small sized bags. By sub-packing we always know, where to find what we need at any time.  We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department or just started a company, coming from set and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

SPANISH EPISODE of the Shifting Focus Series: Miguel López and Maria Lacasa are two 1st ACs based in Madrid that a couple of years ago had an idea: it was about time to improve the old on-paper camera reports by using all the possibilities that the digital revolution grants. So they started developing something that is now called the CamKeeper app, which not only makes smoother and error-proof the camera report workflow, but also reduces drastically the use of paper in the camera department and gives a crucial step toward sustainability on set. For the final phase of the launch, they started a crowdfunding, you can also follow them on their Instagram account. Hosted by Fabio Giolitti    

In this first Episode of the Shifting Focus Series, we are talking with Los Angeles based first AC Jason Knoll, who is the founder of "Make Your Cart Go".    About Make Your Cart Go: Make Your Cart Go is run by Jason and Jeremy, two camera crew members who wanted to create a better way to move your cart. More productivity, less frustration. This product is made with love in LA. Make Your Cart Go offer a plug and play solution to upgrade any standard cart on set with their Motorized Wheel kits. Whether you are working on stage or facing tough location, their kits are the prefect solution for anyone who is tired of pushing their carts.

In this episode we are talking with 1st AC Guile Huertas Aiguaviva, hosted by Fabio Giolitti. Please note, that this episode is in spanish. Guillem Huertas Aiguaviva is one of the most experienced and interesting 1ST AC in the Spanish industry, not only because he has been in the business for almost 30 years, but also because he has worked both in some of the biggest production of the Spanish industry of the last ten years and in quite a few super productions abroad. His credits include The impossible, Agora, Jurassic World, Cloud Atlas and The Lord of the rings: Rings of power as A camera first assistant.   We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 20th episode, we are having two special guests. ASC DP Lawrence Sher and his long-time 1st AC in crime, Julie Donovan share some amazing stories. They have done over 15 films together, such as The Joker, Hangover and many more, working together for more than 20 years.  This episode is hosted by Meghan Commons. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this Episode 1st AC Nick Cutway, from L.A. is talking with Nicholas Cole Brown, of how he started in the film industry. They are also talking about Nick's favorite LCS system and the good old days of film. If you want to get in touch with Nick, you can reach out to him through Instagram @n.cutway We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In the second part of the FPAW podcast with Local 600 1st AC Brian Aichlmayr from Houston Texas, Dennis Kuehnel and Brian are focusing on the technical aspects of focus pulling and the gears, which Brian uses for his job. They are chatting about the battle of the FIZes, range finders, and the accessories which makes life easier on set. If you haven't yet, you can follow Brian on his Instagram account: @brianaichlmayr We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com    

In this episode, our new podcast team member Meghan Commons has the pleasure to talk to Brian Aichlmayr. Brian is a 1st AC from Houston, Texas and you probably know him from his IG account @brianaichlmayr  In this episode, Brian is sharing some background stories about how he has started as a focus puller and a few mile stones in his career.  We will also have a follow-up episode with Brian (hosted by Dennis Kuehnel), where we will deep dive into the technical aspects and tools, Brian chooses for his job. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com  

In this episode we are chatting with UK based 1st AC Alex Rawson.  This episode is hosted by Dennis Kühnel. If you want to get in touch with Alex, you can find him on Instagram @alexrawsonfocuspuller We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we are introducing 1st AC Meghan Commons from Kansas City. They are talking about how it is to grow up within the film industry and how she finally made the decision to follow the steps of her parents. Meghan does a variety of projects, such as commercials, dramas and music videos. We are also pleased, that Meghan joins the focuspulleratwork podcast team and can't wait to hear more from her, when she is hosting future episodes. If you want to get in touch with Meghan, you can find her on Instagram @meghphoenix or through her website meghancommons.com We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com    

In this episode Dennis Kühnel is inviting Irys Steel, a 1st AC from London. Irys is giving a deep dive of how to operate with the Preston Light Ranger and how it compares to other range finders, like the Focusbug. Irys is also giving some insights about their experiences of being non-binary on set.    If you want to get in touch with Irys, you can reach out to them through Instagram @cinesteel We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we are talking to 1st AC Jeff Marks from Oklahoma City. Jeff has been a 1st AC since over 8 years, working mostly on indie features and also teaches a class in his off-time. This episode is hosted by Nicholas Cole Brown, who is also the host of The Second Sticks Podcast. If you want to get in touch with Jeff, you can reach out to him through Instagram @jeff_remarks We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we have the pleasure to tap with 1st AC Emily-Jane Robinson, aka Emmy. Emmy has not only been a 1st AC for over 12 years, she also has started her own rental company, called Emmyland, based in the UK. We will be talking about her, getting into the film industry and the advantages of running an own rental house as a 1st AC. This episode is hosted by 1st AC Dennis Kuehnel. If you want to get in touch with EMMY, you can reach out to her through Instagram @emmyland   We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we are talking to Dave Tolsky of HollyWood AC Front Boxes.  Dave has been working as a 1st AC and camera operator for over 30 years and has been working on big sitcoms, like Will & Grace and Seinfeld.   He is also the founder of HollyWoodworks AC Front Boxes.  This episode is hosted by 1st AC Dennis Kuehnel.   If you want to get in contact with Dave, you can reach out to him through Instagram @genuine_hollywoodworks  We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we are honored to welcome 1st AC Lwandisa Joko, from South Africa.  Lwandisa is talking about her career, not only as a 1st AC, but also as a filmmaker, who learned to hold on to her identity as a woman in a world that can make it hard for woman in film.  If you want to get in contact with Lwandisa, you can reach out to her through Instagram @lwandisajoko  We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In this episode we are introducing our last team member of the focuspulleratwork Podcast, Dennis Kühnel from Germany. Dennis has been working on both sides of the big pond. He started his career in Germany, before moving to South Carolina for a few years. He is now back in Europe, based in Munich, working as a 1st AC. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com  

In our 8th episode we are excited to interview 1st AC Aurel Wunderer from Germany. Aurel is also one of our community managers of focuspulleratwork and was also one of the few 1st ACs who knew about the HI-5 even before its release. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 7th episode we are excited to interview Local600, 1st AC Justin Simpson from New York. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 6th episode we are talking with Hendrik Voss and Christine Ajayi-Scheuring, who are both product managers at ARRI ECS. We are talking about the job of a product manager at ARRI and about ARRIs latest product, the Hi-5. This episode has been recorded right before the Hi-5 was announced. We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 5th episode we are excited to interview Local600, 1st AC Simon England from Los Angeles. Simon has worked on several blockbusters, such as Star Wars, The Force Awakens and The Rise of the Empire and many more. He is also the founder of English Stix, the number one company for custom slates. https://www.englishstix.com We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 4th episode we are excited to welcome Local600, 1st AC Evan Luzi from Washington D.C. Evan is also the founder of the https://www.theblackandblue.com blog, where he writes about filming tips for camera assistants.  We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our 3rd episode we are introducing Local600, 1st AC Andrew Bradford from Charlotte, North Carolina, who is also one of the FPAW podcast hosts.  We hope you enjoy this episode. Stay tuned for more! If you are working in the camera department and would like to be hosted in one of our future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our second episode we are introducing 1st AC David "DI" Ishida, from Minnesota, US, who is also a team member of the FPAW Podcast team. We hope you enjoy this Episode. Stay tuned for more! If you would like to be hosted in one of the future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com

In our first episode we are introducing Local600, 2nd AC Nicholas Cole Brown from Charleston, South Carolina.  Nic is also the host of "The Second Sticks Podcast" and also a member of the focuspulleratwork Podcast team. We hope you enjoy this Episode. Stay tuned for more! If you would like to be hosted in one of the future episodes, please contact info@focuspulleratwork.com