Blocking: SPIELBERG STUDY PART 4

The Spielberg studies continue! This study goes over the concept in the shot below:

The concept at play is why i call a “Rack on Action”. It’s when the camera pulls focus as the character performs an action, usually turning. After watching these examples below, I realized why this concept was so effective, and it came to editing. When editing, cutting on action is a smooth way to transition between shots, and racking on action has the same fluidity.

This is what makes the Spielberg “Rack into Frame” so smooth: the quick rack on a quick action

The shot below is not a traditional Spielberg rack into frame. The focus racks on action when Indy comes into frame and maintains fluidity.

Below are two common examples of the concept. Pulling focus when a character’s head turns to change the focus on the shot.

But a head turn with an overt rack on action is a very common concept in most movies. So what does Spielberg do differently? What’s sets Spielberg apart is how he sometimes uses the rack on action with subtlety.

An example is when the focus racks as Indy is punched and turns to camera. The punch is the focus transition between Marian and Indy.

The focus shifts between the stained glass and Elsa on the turn

Rack on action as Donovan moves the car door: