Sometimes it can be difficult to define the term “independent filmmaker.” Over the years it has been applied to a mixed bag of filmmaking efforts, from low-budget productions to costly undertakings outside of studios. It has become a hodgepodge category for films and filmmakers. Although independent filmmaking can include a variety of films and a wide spectrum of budgets, Dogbyte Films is a company that provides a perfect illustration of what independent filmmaking was meant to be in its purest sense.
Dogbyte Films is a completely self-funded film production studio owned and operated by Chris and Amy Penney in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the principals maintain full-time careers outside the filmmaking world, Dogbyte Films has produced five full-length independent feature films; the most recent is Small Change.
David Threlfo is a cinematographer, editor, and 3D animation artist for Castle Media Group. Before joining Castle Media Group, he worked in Australian commercial TV (NBN and TEN TV) for thirty years. Threlfo has shot with everything from 16mm sync sound film cameras to digital video, created special effects and animation, and worked for nightly news to ENG News Documentaries doing TV station commercials and promo work. As one can see, Threlfo is a well rounded and highly experience media professional.
David Threlfo
Racking focus is the practice of shifting the attention of a viewer of a film or video by changing the focus of the lens from a subject in the foreground to a subject in the background, or vice versa. It dates back to the time when cameras did not have reflex lenses so the operator would have to “rack focus” the camera by looking through the viewfinder, then sliding the camera over so that the shot would be in focus. NewBlue Video Essentials II features this technique in its aptly-named Rack Focus effect.
NewBlue Video Essentials II’s Rack Focus creates a faux depth of field by selectively blurring a portion of the image. This is great for creating a filmic depth of field, artificially controlling the center of attention, or even making a scene look like it was shot with miniatures.
