MovieChat Forums > Peeping Tom (1960) Discussion > Mark's occupation

Mark's occupation

posted 9 years ago by JackBluegrass
2 replies | jump to latest

It's revealed that Mark's job at the studio is focus puller. He works at the side of the camera to keep the image in focus at all time, even when the camera changes position. Notice his employing a tape measure for camera lens to actor distance.

In "real life", he's a cinematographer, photographing and directing women experiencing terror - and death - with his 16mm camera.

It's interesting that Mark's reel life and real life are so different; the focus pull is a strictly technical job with little artistry involved. The cinematographer behind the camera is the real artist.

E pluribus unum

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

Given what you've outlined, I guess he was looking to move up in the world.🐭

[–] JackBluegrass 9 years ago

If I were ever in the movie business, I'd love to be a cinematographer.

But, in a special feature on the Peeping Tom DVD, Michael Powell - or someone else - says that a focus puller is an "artist". If anyone understood great moviemaking, it would be Powell. so the job may be a matter of degree.

E pluribus unum