Screen Shots of the After Effects Project

File Formats and Codes

DNxHD is a video codec intended to be usable as both an intermediate format suitable for use while editing and as a presentation format. DNxHD data is typically stored in an MXF container, although it can also be stored in a QuickTime container.

Class Exercises

Videos and Tutorials that helped me finalize my Idea

The Idea Itself

The Video will start with a black frame and there will be a recording effect. After a Few seconds the actor will enter in shot and this is followed by a Medium shot of the Actor’s hands. After that, an Extreme close up will be filmed and as soon as the actor opens his eyes the shot changes to a close up of his face but he has orange eyes. This will be achieved by using motion tracking to track both eyes and change the colour to orange. The eyes of the actor will remain orange so in every shot after this motion tracking has to be used to change the colour. The Visual Effects start from Shot 12, this is when the actor will start to shoot. In shot 13 the actor will shoot his futuristic gun and to get the effect shockwaves will be used followed by some colour grading to change the colour of the blow. Also glow effects will be added and turbulent displacement as well.  Shot 13, 15 and 16 will have the same effects but with different shockwave and colour. The video will end with the Text ‘Shockwave Gunshot’ graphically displayed. 

Story Boarding

Motion Tracking Test Piece

Motion Graphics Test Piece

Green Screen Test Piece

Plexus

Plexus is a next generation 3D particle system plugin for Adobe After Effects.

I did this Plexus Animation myself

Proper Green Screen Tips and Techniques

Sequence when doing Green Screen 

• Pre-Visualize Your Scene
• Know What’s Real and Not Real
• The Importance of Lighting
• Framing and Camera Movement
• Processing your Green Screen Sequence

Class Exercises

Football Commentary - Sound Game Design

When we think of the sound of sports on TV or radio, it’s mostly commentary. But sports broadcasts would be nothing without all the sounds that are behind the commentary;

·         crowds,

·         kicks,

·         thwacks,

·         Grunts.

When producing a Football game trailer, all the sound effects that are used can make the video more realistic.

After Effects Tools

Test Pieces

At first I had 3 projects in mind. The Assassin’s Creed Themed promo video, The Parkour Feature and the Shockwave gunshot. For the Test Piece I chose the Parkour feature but this will only include a parkour athlete with his usual parkour outfit standing in a Green Screen Studio and a variety of pans and tilts of the actor will be filmed. For the main project I chose the Shockwave gunshot Idea because of the fact that it is more creative and there will be a sustainable use of Visual Effects.

·         The Assassin’s Creed Promo Video

·         Parkour Athlete

·         Shockwave gunshot

Test Pieces

Green Screen

Filming Dates for Green Screen Test Piece

30^th March 2015 (Green Screen Filming) (Studio Booking)

Equipment

·         Canon 600D

·         18-55 Lens

·         Gimbal

·         3-Point Lights x3

Camera Operator – Bjorn Bonello

Other Help (Green Screen Setting and Lights) – Jayden Borg, Brandon Borg, Jean Pierre Borg Cuschieri, Danjel Sky Buttigieg and Bennard Buttigieg

In order to have a perfectly lit studio my classmates that helped with this project including myself went to the Green Screen Studio before the filming so we were sure that everything was ready for us to shoot. In order to mount the Gimbal some extra time was needed because of the fact that the camera had to be balanced in order for the footage to be stable.

Motion Tracking

In order to change the eye colour motion tracking must be used so in order for me to practise for my final task I chose to change my friend’s eye colour. Both of the eyes need to be tracked and masked perfectly in order for it to look realistic as possible.

Motion Graphics

For the motion graphics I chose to make an intro including my name and the words ‘Motion Graphics’. This will include a variety of shapes and when animated together they will form an interesting and creative intro.

Discussion of roles

Lewn Muzikali – Director

Successfully the interview that I directed was produced and I finalized. Before we could start there were problems with lights because one of the flood lights exploded and fell in the studio. After everything was arranged everyone went back to the studio excluding some of the assistant camera operators because of the fact that they had their production after ours and their guests had already arrived. The crew in the control room continued with their role so we could advance with the interview.

One of the main reasons why there was stress in the control room during the interview is because the producer was continually shouting but he was immediately stopped. One of the mistakes I did as a directed was that in the beginning of the interview I did not put the VTR on screen but accidentally used one of the cameras. I worked very well with the floor manager because we had good contact and was telling me what was happening in the studio. The studio colours were perfectly set according to the presenters wants. My assistant Director gave me the timing I asked for so that I was able to tell the floor manager to advice the presenter with the timing.

The Interview is 13 minutes 54 seconds long. The floor manager was told to wind up the presenter and he did but the presenter asked the final question which ended up making the interview longer than it was supposed to be.

The audio persons had to check the audio levels because at some times during the interview there was a change in audio levels.

In a whole I was very pleased with the result we obtained and I thank all my crew because I enjoyed working with them. We all worked as a team in order to have a professional interview.

 Roles I did during other interviews:

Role	Date	Experience
Assistant Director	12th January	My role as an assistant director was to give the director the remaining time of the interview in order for him to tell the floor manager to guide the presenter. I told him remaining 9min, 7min, 5min, 3min, 1 minute and wind up.
Crane Operator	12th January	My role as assistant Crane Operator was to guide the crane Operator the limits of where he can position the crane. Being a crane operator is a very risky role because accidents may occur so I had to help the crane operator to prevent accidents. Once the interview was completed I safely put a stand under the crane in order for other people to use it for their interviews.
CCU	15th January	Being a CCU means that you have to set the white level and black level in order for the image to be clear.  These settings are done while the camera is looking at a white background in order to take the white balance.
Camera Operator	15th January	Being a Camera Operator for one of the interviews was one the roles I enjoyed the most because of the fact that in the future I would like to work as a camera operator. I was told to stay on Camera 2 and although I had to give a two shot I still tried to give different shots in order to make the interview more interesting.
Director	19th January	The interview ‘Lewn Muzikali’ was directed by myself. My role as a director was to guide my crew and give the camera operators instructions on what shots I needed.  I communicated really well with my crew and although it is a very stressful role it was one of the most I enjoyed to do.
CCU	19th January	I was already a CCU operator before so I know how to adjust the white balance properly. I did the same steps as usual in order for the image to be clear according to the lights being used.

Being a Tv Director

Directors oversee all directing of live broadcasts, filming programs, post-production editing and mixing, general oversight of the technical crew as well as setting up studios to match the vision of the producer and creative writers. Using management, organizational and creative skills, directors are responsible to take the vision for a production from the concept stage to a fully completed project.

Television Director Job duties :

• Must supervise auditions, rehearsals and pace of program during filming
• Offer direction to television crew regarding props, scenery, costumes lighting and any other necessary equipment
• From the control room, directors give instruction to crew regarding elements such as camera angles and lighting during live broadcasts
• During post-production, directors oversee the editing, re-taping, music and mixing of the completed program
• Oversee project budget and budget adherence
• Hold meetings with production crew and producers to ensure the program is following the initial creative direction

Fighting choreograpy

'When in film we keep the distance like a whole foot'

Change the camera angle to make it seem realistic