VFX FUNDAMENTALS
GAME DESIGN
TERMINOLOGY
CGI - Computer Generated Imagery. This refers to graphics used to create or enhance images.
COMPOSING - The combining of visual elements, such as live-action footage and CGI, into a single cohesive image.
MOTION CAPTURE - The process of recording patterns of movement digitally, especially the recording of an actor's movements, for the purpose of animating a digital character in a film or video game.
POST-PRODUCTION - The stages after filming, such as editing, colour correction, sound design and VFX.
HDR - High Dynamic Range. Adds greater brightness ranges and colour depth to create more impactful and realistic visual effects.
Motion Capture for Stray
PANNING - Camera movement technique. Involves horizontally rotating the camera from fixed a position.
TILTING - Camera movement technique where camera remains fixed but rotates vertically, either up or down.
KEYING - technique used to remove a specific colour or range of colours from an image or video footage, allowing for insertion of new backgrounds or elements seamlessly.
PIPELINE - Organized stages of post-production where VFX and CGI are applied to film or television projects.
ROTOSCOPING - VFX technique where artists trace over live-action footage frame by frame to create a matte or silhouette that can be used to isolate or integrate new elements to a scene.
VFX - Visual Effects. The creation, manipulation or enhancement of images for films and other media.
PREVIZ - Previsualization. The process of visualizing scenes or sequences in a film or video before actual production begins.
RENDER - Creation of computer-generated images or animations from 3D models and other visual elements.
RENDER FARM - A high-performance computer system designed for rendering computer-generated imagery.
PARALLAX - The perceptual difference in an object's position when seen from different vantage points, creating the illusion of depth and motion onscreen.
PLATE - A VFX Plate is a piece of footage specifically shot to be used in VFX work, serving as a blank canvas for adding CGI or other elements.
TRACKING - Accurately locating and matching the motion of objects or camera movements in a sequence.
GREEN SCREEN - Chroma key screen, a tool used in film and video production to create visual effects by replacing a solid-coloured background with a different image or video.
FOREGROUND - The part of a scene that is closest to the camera.
BACKGROUND - The part of a scene that is furthest from the camera.
MOTION CONTROL - The use of robotic camera equipment to create programmable, precise, and repeatable camera movements.
STORYBOARD - A visual representation of a film sequence, consisting of a series of drawings or images that illustrate how a film will unfold.
FILMOGRAPHY: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
For our VFX unit, our task was to create a short film, the idea revolving around a person being chased or followed by themselves. The film would have to include shots where we could see both characters in the same shot. Additionally, the film needed to include 2 shots with a cross-action- meaning that Character A should cross in front of, or behind, Character B.
To start, I brainstormed different ideas I had using a mindmap, including setting, characters, and narrative. I used these ideas and developed them further while creating my storyboard and script.
For this project, I needed to come up with a storyboard, script, script breakdown, shot list, final movie, and project timeline. I also needed to include some test shots, such as split screen, green screen, and rotobrush.
STORYBOARDS
I used ideas from my brainstorm to create a visual plan of what I'd record. This was developed alongside the script and shot list simultaneously to add efficiency to my workflow, but mainly due to my strengths when it comes to visualising material before writing it down in detail.
SCRIPT
SHOT LIST
FILM AND CONCLUSION
For my final film, I used Adobe After Effects to clip and edit the different shots. Unfortunately, due to a slight lack of planning, I went over the assigned 45-second limit. This is something that I should have considered when making my storyboard, the issue was due to me not planning the seconds for each shot during the process.
In the end I couldn't fully complete my film, causing me to leave out the last two shots. This is due to the software I was using consistently crashing and breaking to the point where any new clips I was adding took so long to upload and edit that I decided that it wasn't worth it.
To create the illusion of two of the same characters in the same shot (for this, I used my dad), I used the Roto Brush to silhouette different areas of a scene so that I could overlay different clips fairly seamlessly.
During the rendering process, the audio became corrupted, so I had to finalize the export without any sound.
PROJECT PIPELINE
GREEN SCREEN VFX
A greenscreen is a green background in front of which moving subjects are filmed and which allows a separately filmed background to be added to the final image. Our task was to create the illusion that a person was interacting with themselves. This was achieved by using Adobe After Effects.
CROSS-ACTION VFX
The goal of this effect was similar to the green screen VFX, without the use of a green screen setup. Originally, this was supposed to be a short clip showcasing split-action, but due to some difficulties, it ended up becoming another cross-action based video.
ROTOBRUSH
Rotoscoping is an animation technique where animators trace over live-action footage frame by frame to create realistic motion.
Our task was to create the illusion that a person was interacting with themselves. This was achieved by
EDUCATION
BA NHTV University of Applied Sciences
BSc in International Game Architecture and Design
SKILLS
Advanced: Photoshop, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine
Proficient: Maya, SketchUp, Audacity, VR/AR Development.
LET'S PLAY!
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR FUTURE WORK AND PARTNERSHIPS