Otis College of Art and Design: Visual Effects Lab, 2011
VFX Lab Fall 2011: VFX Final Project
Narrative project using CG and Greenscreen interactively.
Assignment Objective:
The schedule will require a quick turn around for this project. Not every shot in the project needs to be a vfx shot as long as it is essential to telling the story. We will create a 60 second narrative using CG backgrounds and actors shot on greenscreen in at least 2 shots. There must be some interaction between the actors and the environment.
Example, as the actor walks the ground changes beneath his or her feet, or doors / stairs magically appear (or dissapear), think Light Cycles in Tron. Use your imagination. The scenarios must be believable to the viewer, keep things simple.
Phases of production:
Concept / Storyboards: (due week 13) on your blog
- Conceptual imagery, anything that inspires (color, costume, time period, lighting, camera angles, etc.)
-Storyboards:
- The most important functions of the storyboards are storytelling, framing/composition and to determine the action that will be covered.
It is imperative to draw the storyboards with a level of care that will allow you and your group to discuss the camera position, framing and screen direction of that particular shot.
Please referee to the "Compositional Strategies" section below.
Animatics/Timing: (due week 14)
-Every shot tells a story. Every story is told through a series of beats. Those individual beats are the tools for designing and composing shots in a film.
We will need to work thru the screen direction and "flow" from shot to shot.
The animatic also allows you to work out any existing storytelling, camera positioning and timing issues that we did not resolve in the storyboards.
- Proof of concept work. If you have an idea for a shot or sequence it is advisable to test if the idea is feasible.
- Footage should be shot and captured. Create a rough edit with your footage.
Tests / Studies: (due week 14)
worksession
Project due week 15 (Final project done. Turn in a QT movie with a shot breakdown at the begning of class).
Things to consider:
It helps to integrate your greenscreen elements with the backgrounds if have live props on set in some situations (ex. a doorway, furniture, etc.)
Have a solid idea of what it is you want to accomplish and make a plan, make sure you set intermittent goals and deadlines.
I would encourage you to work in groups of 4 people.
Remember the Primary Compositing goals:
-matching the light direction, color and intensity in the background image and the greenscreen footage.
-matching the black and white points
-matching the midtones
-matching the Focus or Depth of Field
-matching Lens Flares or interactive lighting
-matching Existing Grain
-Lighting: indirect, direct, backlit, interior vs. exterior. At the time of the greenscreen shoot it is very important to match the lighting conditions of your chosen background.
-Composition and framing. Camera position in relation to the subject and well as the background.
-Production value: Location, wardrobe, method, material, or stagecraft skill used in the production, general quality of the production.
-Footage should be shot HD in progressive mode (1080p).
Compositional Strategies:
-Rule of thirds
-Supersymmetry
-Triangles
-Golden Rectangle
Final Deliverables:
Blog: Week to week progress postings. Storyboards, Animatics, Asset Development (models, etc), Greenscreen Elements, Rough Slap Comps, et al. As well as a final version of you'r project.
Be sure to still of your shot breakdow on your blog.
Qt movie:
1 HD Version of you'r project (1920 x 1080) Motion Jpeg A compression.
1 Low res version of you'r project (960 x 540) Motion Jpeg A compression.
Links of interest:
Heartsandminds.org
FRAMEFILTER
Se7ve Rule of Thirds Example
Basic Composition Ref
More Basic Composition Ref
A few examples:
Ask the dust: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The Aviator: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/breaking-down-motors-rockland-spots/
http://vimeo.com/8347225
http://vimeo.com/1454172
http://vimeo.com/8790444
http://www.fxguide.com/featured/tron_legacy_face_off/
http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/music-videos-effects-highlights/
http://ae.tutsplus.com/articles/roundup/61-mesmerizing-vfx-breakdowns/
http://ae.tutsplus.com/articles/roundup/42-crazy-awesome-vfx-breakdowns/
http://ae.tutsplus.com/articles/31-mind-blowing-vfx-breakdowns/
http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/some-recent-tvc-highlights/
http://vimeo.com/4098142
http://vimeo.com/10000685
http://vimeo.com/8388573
http://vimeo.com/17598843
http://digitaldomain.com/
http://www.themill.com/what-we-do/vfx.aspx
http://www.crazyhorseeffects.com/php/cheprojekts.php
http://www.alaskabilgisayar.com/green-tech/getting-the-best-out-of-your-green-screen-how-to-2.html
.......................................................................................... make it epic.