problem

After working on the lightsabers for the past 2 days for my FMP I woke up this morning to find out that the grab points to be able to position the lightsaber in each frame had disappeared out of the blue. I started looking for the way to solve this issue at 6:30 this morning then I was unsuccessful so I needed to leave for college. I then turned up to college and the first thing I did was started searching the internet for the solution to this issue after searching for about an hour I came across a YouTube video that is talking about the same plugin I am using so I decided to watch it through in case the person in the video mentions anything at all about the grab points. after 20 minutes of the video very luckily I was correct and the man in the video mentions how there is a shortcut to make the points invisible and visible again this way you can see what you have done easier and the work around this issue I was having just happened to be a matter of pressing control+shift+H key such a simple fix for a lot of time wasted but I am glad because I was then able to carry on editing and I now know for future referencing.

finished frames

today I finished cutting out all the faces on my FMP this meant that I was able to change all of the temperature, highlights, shadows, blacks, whites and exposure per frame (1056 frames) to make sure the scenes and exactly how light I want them and that all of the visuals throughout my clip match the way I want to achieve my end goal. i.e I wanted to make sure that my scene was very dark as if it was night time but then I needed to make sure the faces were still light so we can see all the main focus points in the clip. This did take quite a long time to do but I believe this came out well. Some of the issues I faced when doing this were time keeping, making sure all the curves for the points were in the correct place per frame was slightly tricky as I was unable to zoom in past 400% this meant that alot of the time I was working with points that were almost on top of each other from what I was able to see and lastly I struggled with sunlight on the characters face. When I came across shots that did this I needed to dramatically reduce the contrast, whites and highlights but doing this meant I needed to counter balance by increasing the exposure.

Frames for FMP

Today I worked out how many frames I need to adjust the lighting for and it worked out to be 1063 frames. I have been saving time by tracking these as previously mentioned but this is still a 1 frame at a time process to make sure everything is in line to how I want it for the professional look I am personally working towards.

I have just saved my work right this moment and I have reached frame 307 I am slowly but surely getting there.

I am setting myself a target of frame 500 at a minumum by the end of tomorrow.

Just a quick breakdown of my editing process which I uploaded to my vimeo account as a time lapse. The first thing I did was add the lumetri colour effect to each shot in my sequence after this I turned the adjustment layer off so that I was able to see the details of the original sequence. I have since been going through frame by frame to mask around each of the characters faces. In some shots I needed to add a second lumetri effect so that I was able to do a separate edit to the female character as her skin tone is more pale. After masking around the first frame in the shot I was able to use the 2D tracking within the mask panel this allows me to speed the process up slightly once the tracking finished I then went through each frame to re-position some of the masking dots that are out of line. Next I turn the adjustment layer view back on which has been edited with the colourisation effect to give the Day for Night look to the scene, after doing this I am able to see how dark the scene is and what I need to change in order to get the lighting on the face the way I want for my final piece. In the shot with Johnny Depp I turned the exposure up to give the glow of light back into the shot I then turned the Shadows down to make sure I have depth to the darker areas of his face such as his check bones and around the eye sockets. Next I changed the temperature down to make the lighting more subtle  and cool this gives the illusion of moonlight rather than sunlight, Lastly I feathered the edges of my masking to make sure the masked lighting blended in with my overall scene to give the outcome in the final picture of the video.

On monday I was working on my FMP and I attempted to do something I didnt have much knowledge with but I wanted to use it anyway to learn more about the programme and its features, that was using the ‘replace with after effects composition’ feature in premiere. In doing this I replaced my footage and accidentally deleted all of my previous work I had done which meant I would need to go backwards and start almost from scratch.I managed to find an auto save which had a small amount of work done to it so this has meant that I have had to recreate my Day for Night effect using the Colorista IV plugin I got from red giant. I then placed this over my whole video. To achieve the night effect I needed to change the whites and blacks in each of the shadows,highlights and midtone of the shot. The next step was to input the blue grading which is the part that makes us as humans believe more in the illusion of night time, to get this effect I added blue to the midtones after doing this I then added spotlights to the scene doing this will add a very dark background throughout the whole video and gives off a bigger effect with the darkness and shadows.

Shot List

http://prezi.com/3ouafsostcoj/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

This is a link to my shot list breakdown on prezi. I have give short descriptions for each shot throughout my FMP and what I would like to achieve from each one of them, by doing this it gives me a set agenda to work towards and allows me to document the problems I hit and when/where they come into place, this will allow me to write in depth to what the issues are the research I use to get around out and what the outcome is. I hope that upon doing this I have given myself a clear view of my goals and a way to express my perceptive analyses of my own work.

over the last 3 days I have been looking into and learning different features of the sabre plugin for after effects as this plugin actually works perfect for my FMP. I took a still from the footage that I will be using for my FMP and decided I was going to add the light sabres into the scene before any of the lighting changes to see how this would work. In my opinion this has come out brilliantly. I encountered the problem of where jack sparrow is in the background of this shot his sword actually goes behind will turner’s arm. I took the initiative of doubling the original layer image over the top of the sabre effect to the erase all of it apart from the section on wills arm to make sure the glow does not appear over the top of his arm as it is in the background of this scene. I will be using the plugin alot more and also will be using this for my FMP! I hope to keep learning alot more from this to use it in as many ways as possible for the best possible outcome. My next step is to edit the lighting on a still the add the sabre effect to see how it comes out with the darkness of the lighting mixing with the light from the light sabres. 

Easter learning

Over the Easter holiday I took the time to learn the ins and outs of a technique called Day For Night which I have previously blogged about.

I am in the middle of editing my second attempt of this and then I will trying to input this into my FMP, I have noticed that will editing these videos it depends on the lighting and if the sun is captured at all to if the outcome looks authentic or not. 

My first attempt is as follows. 

Original clip; https://vimeo.com/265160661

Edited clip; https://vimeo.com/265161040

After I have edited 2/3 different shots I am going to evaluate the pros and cons of why or why not this technique is working for me and my project.

My final Questionnaire that has been sent out.

Hello there!

 My name is Sean Byrne, I'm a Level 3 student studying VFX and Animation at Colchester Institute.

I am writing this email to ask people who are part of the visual effects industry or have prior knowledge within this industry to help me with some primary research towards my college grade. Thank you in advance for taking your time to read this email, I do appreciate that you may be busy.

A little about me and why I am setting out a question for people such as yourself to answer.

I'm 21 years of age and hoping to find work in your industry after completing my qualification. I have a few questions that are very specific to my final project of the year. I want to complete this project to a professional level as key evidence of my developing skills, and I will happily share the finished result with you via a link to my personal Vimeo account. 

A quick brief on the current project.

My project is based on Pirates of the Caribbean meets Star Wars. I am creating a short sequence where I will be taking a scene from the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ With this scene I will be removing the swords from the actors’ hands and creating lightsaber’s using a plug-in to the make out as if the characters will be having a lightsaber battle. Along with this I will be using grading to change my scene from daytime lighting to night time lighting, the reasoning for this is because I believe this will help enhance the lightsaber glow.

My questionnaire is as follows;

Name:

 Company:

 Time of experience:

 Questions

1.      Have you used the ‘Day for Night’ technique before or anything similar to make daytime footage appear that it has been shot at night?

  2.      Do you believe it is better to work with footage filmed at night time or footage that has been edited in post to look like night time?

  3.      What would be the best software to work with for this type of project?

  4.      Is there any specific order you work in to ensure your work is completed on time?

  5.      Would it be a good idea to input a 3D camera layer into this flat video I am working with?

   6.      Is there anyone else that you could recommend I should talk to, or other sources of research you could direct me to?

  7.      Where would be the best route, in your opinion, to find work within your industry?

 8.   Do you have any further advice for someone such as myself aspiring to become a professional within the Visual Effects industry?

 Thank you so much for your time, it's really appreciated. 

 Yours sincerely 

Sean Byrne

 PS you can also reach me via  [email protected] - thanks!

I have not yet had any responses but I will keep trying...

2nd Draft of email with questionaire

To whom this may concern;

                                                I am writing this email to ask people who are part of the visual effect industry or have prior knowledge within this industry to help me with some primary research towards my college grade. If you could ensure that the person with the capability to respond receives this email I would be extremely grateful. I would really apricate it if you would take me into consideration, I have a deadline of Friday 20th April to present my primary research. Thank you in advance for taking your time to read this email, I do appreciate that you may be busy.

 A little about me and why I am setting out a question for people such as yourself to answer.

 My name is Sean Byrne I am 21 years of age and I am currently a Visual Effects and Animation student, I am studying to hopefully receive a distinction level 3 then move onto a degree directed more towards the visual effects artform with my best chance of employment. I am looking to receive some good primary research for my final unit. Within this document you will find a questionnaire attach along with a section for any feedback or advice. I have a few questions that are very specific to what I am currently working on for my final project of the year which I will happily share with you once I have completed this along with providing yourself with a link to my personal Vimeo account. I hope to hear back from yourself as soon as possible as this will help me develop my personal grading on this unit of work.

 A quick brief on the current project.

 My project is based on Pirates of the Caribbean meets Star Wars. I am creating a short sequence where I will be taking a scene from the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ With this scene I will be removing the swords from the actors’ hands and creating lightsaber’s using a plug-in to the make out as if the characters will be having a lightsaber battle. Along with this I will be using the ‘Day for Night’ technique which I am currently learning to change my scene from daytime lighting to night time lighting the reasoning for this is because I believe this will give a good effect towards the lightsaber glow.

   My questionnaire is as follows;

 Name:

 Company:

 Time of experience:

  Questions

1.      Have you used the ‘Day for Night’ technique before or anything similar?

     2.      Do you believe it is better to work with footage filmed at night time or footage that has been edited in post to look like night time?

     3.      What would be the best software to work with for this type of project?

     4.      Where would be the best place to start with this project or is there any specific order you work in to ensure your work is complete on time?

     5.      Would it be a good idea to input a 3D camera layer into this flat video I am working with?

     6.      Do you have any knowledge towards work similar that you could share?

     7.      Is there anywhere I can contact you directly for more 1 to 1 primary research?

     8.      Where would be my best progression stage for employment?

     9.      Do you have any examples of your work that I can view via internet?

     10.   Do you have some advice you will be able to give to someone such as myself aspiring to become a professional within the Visual Effects industry?

     Any further feedback you would like to give please feel free.

       You can also contact me at ‘[email protected]’

 Thank you for your time and I hope to hear back from you.

Yours sincerely 

Sean Byrne

Draft email with questionaire

To whom this may concern;

                                                I am writing this email to ask people who are part of the visual effect industry or have prior knowledge within this industry to help me with some primary research towards my college grade. I hope that if I have not sent this email to the correct person than you will be kind enough to forward this email to where it should go so that it I will hopefully receive a response from the best of your ability. I would greatly apricate it if you would take me into consideration, if you are unable to then I would very much appreciate a response so that I am not waiting on an reply that may never happen. Thank you in advance for taking your time out to read this email and I do apologise if I am wasting your time on this. I would really apricate any given response.

 A little about me and why I am setting out a question for people such as yourself to answer.

 My name is Sean Byrne I am 21 years of age and I am currently a Visual Effects and Animation student, I am studying to hopefully receive a distinction level 3 then move onto a degree directed more towards the visual effects artform with my best chance of employment. I am looking to receive some good primary research for my final unit. Within this document you will find a questionnaire attach along with a section for any feedback or advice. I have a few questions that are very specific to what I am currently working on for my final project of the year which I will happily share with you once I have completed this along with providing yourself with a link to my personal Vimeo account. I hope to hear back from yourself as soon as possible as this will help me develop my personal grading on this unit of work.

 A quick brief on the current project.

 My project is based on Pirates of the Caribbean meets Star Wars. I am creating a short sequence where I will be taking a scene from the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ With this scene I will be removing the swords from the actors’ hands and creating lightsaber’s using a plug-in to the make out as if the characters will be having a lightsaber battle. Along with this I will be using the ‘Day for Night’ technique which I am currently learning to change my scene from daytime lighting to night time lighting the reasoning for this is because I believe this will give a good effect towards the lightsaber glow.

   My questionnaire is as follows;

 Name:

 Company:

 Time of experience:

  Questions

1.      Have you used the ‘Day for Night’ technique before or anything similar?

     2.      Do you believe it is better to work with footage filmed at night time or footage that has been edited in post to look like night time?

     3.      What would be the best software to work with for this type of project?

     4.      Where would be the best place to start with this project or is there any specific order you work in to ensure your work is complete on time?

     5.      Would it be a good idea to input a 3D camera layer into this flat video I am working with?

     6.      Do you have any knowledge towards work similar that you could share?

     7.      Is there anywhere I can contact you directly for more 1 to 1 primary research?

     8.      Where would be my best progression stage for employment?

     9.      Do you have any examples of your work that I can view via internet?

     10.   Do you have some advice you will be able to give to someone such as myself aspiring to

because a professional within the Visual Effects industry?

     Any further feedback you would like to give please feel free.

       You can also contact myself at ‘[email protected]’

 Thank you for your time and I hope to hear back from you.

The scene for my FMP

The footage for my FMP is going to be from The Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Mans Chest and it will be the scene where Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and James Norrington are fighting with swords and I believe this will be a great scene to work with and will have alot of work to do to it to make it how I would personally like my project to end up.

Day for Night technique

Today I was looking into how I can turn my footage from daylight into nighttime lighting because the footage I am using for my final major project is completely in the daylight. What have i learnt? I came across this interesting term called ‘Day for Night’ which is what they call this in the industry. Points of view! There is 2 different point of views on this. One point of view is that alot of shots are filmed in the day time for the lighting that you get then it is changed in post and that this is a good way of getting lighting without needing to set up the lights to look like its natural where as on the other point of view some people believe that if you want a night shot then it is best to use lights at nighttime to get a real shot rather than changing this in post. How can I apply this? I can apply this into my own work by taking the day shot I am working with then colour grading this with the Day for Night technique and making my shot look as if it is supposed to be night time, doing this will make the lightsaber shots look more authentic because as I have stated before most lightsaber shots are filmed in the dark to make the glow more effective I am hoping for this to work the same way with my work.

My next steps are to email some visual artists and ask them some questions about the day for night technique and ask them if they prefer working with light or dark shots for elements similar to my project. I am also going to look into references and peoples perspectives on this technique to get a better understanding of why people use this. After that I will start trying out some short Day for Night tests to become confident with this technique.

I watched through different clips out of the films that I previously named and when watching them I noticed the little details are what matters! I have learned that when you are changing a sword into a lightsaber it needs to be slightly realistic so I will not be able to use any clips from films where the sword gets put into the ground. I will also need to use a film clip where there is not too much going on so nothing with more than 5 people fighting at one time. I am going to apply this into my work by using the clip I have found from ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ this clip only has 3 people fighting with swords which should be a good project to edit and change the lighting of the day into darkness and making sure the surrounding areas do not become effected by the lighting.

Today we learned a little about colour correcting where we need to change the difference in all of the colour balance settings until we believe the scene has the correct colour or feel that we are looking for. There is no correct way of doing this as the outcome is down to the individual and how they want the scene to be. Upon doing this I was tasked with putting the raw clip along side the edited clip but for some strange reason I encountered a problem with premiere where it would input the raw video as a audio clip rather than a ,mp4 after searching the internet and racking my brains with ways to fix this I ended up solving it in my own way. I decided that I would export my edited footage and then take this into after effects then at the same time input the raw footage this worked perfectly and I was able to finish the rest of my edit which was just adding some text and putting the two videos next to each other.