Prep for Green Screen shots: 31/10/11

After considering how to shoot the second panarama in the green screen studio, I have decided to shoot it in thirds (as shown in the diagram below). Because the green screen is not 360 degrees, i will have to utlise the space I do have and cut the shots together in After Effects. I will use the 3D element in the brief to hide the cuts by placing trees etc in the front of the scene.

Background Panorama: 24/10/11

The background panarama for my project. The rest of the footage, layers and 3D elements will be composited with this footage. I will tweak this footage in After Effects to tidy it up abit.

Animatic: 22/10/11

I decided I would attempt to use the animatic technique with my storyboard for this project so I could put the storyboard pictures with the audio track I will be using. The animatic clip should have a timecode on it, but for some reason Premier Pro would not display the timecode when it was added to the sequence.

Storyboard: 21/10/11

My storyboard for project.

1. Male character alone in the park.

2. Female character appears out of nowhere.

3. Male character starts to pursue her.

4. Singing starts. 3D balloon floats down, male catches it. Female hides behind tree, teasing the male.

5. Male sneaks up behind female, puts his hands around her waist. Move in time to music.

6. The two dance, 3D hearts bounce around the couple.

7. Dancing continues including a spin from female. 3D flowers roll past.

8. The scene ends with the two characters moving towards each other, suggesting an embrace.

Final Written Treatment: 21/10/11

For my 'Animation Techniques for Visual Effects' assignment I have decided to create a piece inspired by the well known iPod adverts featuring silhouettes.
The brief for the project said we have to include video footage, use of 3D, use of text and demonstration of skills we have learnt and developed during our tutorials this year. I have therefore decided to create a panoramic background by filming Western Park in Sheffield and then introduce two characters into the scene. These characters will be filmed against green screen and I will then use skills we have learnt in the green screen classes to edit the footage and turn the actors into colourful silhouettes, which will then be composited together with the video footage.
The piece will be 1 minute long and based on a story of a male and female playing cat and mouse, the male wanting to ask out the female and her playing hard to get. The story will be accompanied and accentuated by the audio track 'Make You Mine' by Talay Riley.
As we are required to use 3D in our projects I have decide to tie the footage, audio and 3D work together and feature 3D hearts bouncing around the couple like bouncy balls, as well as flower heads rolling past like wheels and balloons in the air for the characters to interact with.
For the use of text I am going to use lyrics from the audio and write phrases from the first minute of the song in the air or across the grass, using the writing effect we used last year in Digital Compositing.

Inspirations/Examples for my Project

This video clearly shows how to create silhouettes using green/blue screen. Found 19/10/11 online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVlyUo4WXwk

This video demonstrates the type of movement and feel that I want to achieve in my project, although the colour will be on the person rather than the background. Found 19/10/11 online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yeP1zbumc

This music video shows the panoramic style that I want to use for my project. However I will be using an empty environment, rather than a place with lots of people. Found 19/10/11 online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vqob-MljQ&ob=av2e

Further Development of Final Idea- 19/10/11

Whilst listening to my iPod yesterday on the way to work I came across the song I want to use in my project. The song 'Make You Mine' by Talay Riley is basically about the chase between a boy and girl who are attracted to each other. The boy is trying to ask the girl out on a date and the girl is playing hard to get. This instantly gave me an idea of how I could make my project more relevant and tie the characters together along with the 3D elements.

So I have now decided that my project will be 1 minute long the higher end of the time allowance given in the brief, because I want to give the song chance to kick in properly. 2 characters will be present in the clip for the whole minute, rather than my initial idea to have a secondary character enter and then leave quite quickly. The clip will show the chase between the 2 characters, along with some dancing and close interaction.
When it comes to the 3D objects entering the clip, I have decided to replace the initial balls, wheels and paper aeroplanes with balloons, rolling flower heads and bouncing hearts as this will tie into the theme of romance. The male character will catch these objects and attempt to give them as gifts to the female characters.

In my previous post I didn't mention the use of text that was specified in the brief. Now I have the song for my piece I have decided to use lyrics from the audio and include them in the scene, with important, meaningful phrases being written in the sky or on the floor.

I am really looking forward to getting started on this project and have hired a video camera this week to film the background environment for the project. As I have not decided exactly which environment I want to use, I plan to film a few different locations, so I have a choice when it comes to uploading them onto the computer for editing.

Example of 3D heart , made in 3DS Max. Found 19/10/11 online at: http://adobeperson.com/3ds-max/3d-hearts-in-3ds-max

Example of 3D flower. Found 19/10/11 online at: http://www.sharecg.com/v/19820/related/5/3D-Model/Flower-Asha-low-poly-3ds-max

Ideas for assignment 15/10/11

Today I worked on my idea for our assignment. I've decide to create  panorama of either a park/wood or a city scene, which my character (who will be shot on green screen and edited to be a colourful silhouette) will dance through in the 30 second-1 minute short. I will then introduce 3D objects into the scene to interact with the character. For example a ball rolling out from behind a tree which the character has to jump over, or a firework that comes flying towards the character, requiring them to duck out of the way.
Here are some images of the sketchbook work I have done to illustrate my idea. I have used sketches and notes combined with example images from the internet.

Image references:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/groggits/716652610/

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/apple-releases-new-ipod-tv-ad-mi-swing-es-tropical

http://www.ipodhistory.com/ipod-advertising/

http://oneexwidow.blogspot.com/2011/10/iconic-images-19-in-memory-of-steve.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7629567@N02/2202855047/

http://panorama.jv2.net/?view=list

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7248520

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VivoCity,_panorama,_Nov_06.jpg

http://www.fromparis.com/

http://adobeperson.com/photoshop-basic-drawings/photoshop-website-template-web-graphics-soccer-ball-logo-in-photoshop

http://www.webdesign.org/photoshop/3d-effects/3d-ball.17751.html

http://www.eddybrown.co.uk/blog/modelling-a-tyre-wheel/

http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/245877

http://guyedouard.blogspot.com/

Pixilation class and Green screen tracking class 3/10/11 & 10/10/11

Pixilation Class: 03/10/11

In the pixilation class we were given the chance to go out in small groups and attempt to create a pixilation effect using a stills camera. Here's some of the things we tried:

Brad & Nisha: 03/10/11

 Hannah jumping: 03/10/11

                                                                                                      Nisha driving an invisible car: 03/10/11

Green Screen Class: 10/10/11


Today we worked in the Sheffield Independent Film Companies green screen studio, filming test footage with tracking points to motion track next week in After Effects. We filmed a number of different types of shots, including walking shots, group shots, close ups etc. We captured the footage in Premier Pro, exported it to After Effects and keyed out the green screen background, ready for next week.

Green screen studio, motion tracking points, cameras, Film & Visual Effects students

Tracking footage (only a small bit), featuring Jason