When you get back on Wednesday, have all your footage shot for the cloning project. On Wednesday I'll introduce you to the After Effects interface, and show you how to use keyframed masks to "clone" your actors.
And here's the link to Celtx, the scriptwriting software Forest mentioned:
Celtx.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
updates on what's due when
Per our conversation last class, this is what I'm asking for next week.
On Monday, come to class with your footage shot for your "non post production" special effect. You'll have the class time to edit the footage together – then you'll present the finished clip on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, we'll take the class time to shoot footage for the "cloning" project. Come to Wednesday's class prepared with a short script for your "cloning" film. We'll read the scripts in Wednesday's class.
On Monday, come to class with your footage shot for your "non post production" special effect. You'll have the class time to edit the footage together – then you'll present the finished clip on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, we'll take the class time to shoot footage for the "cloning" project. Come to Wednesday's class prepared with a short script for your "cloning" film. We'll read the scripts in Wednesday's class.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday reminder, and laying the groundwork for "Cloning" assignment
A big reminder: you'll be presenting your own (non-post production tweaked) special effect in Monday's class.
We'll also be getting introduced to the After Effects interface, and starting to work our way into the first AFter Effects assignment – the "cloning" assignment. I'll want you to have your footage shot, and ready to be manipulated, by Wednesday of next week (8/29). We may have some time in Monday's class for you to shoot at least some of your footage.
Here are a couple of tutorials I'll show in class to lay some groundwork for the cloning project.
And here are some cloning project parameters:
1. It doesn't have to be too long. One or two minutes is plenty.
2. There must be one shot where there are at least three "clones" of the same actor in frame.
3. There must be at least one moment where two of the clones physically interact – where one visually crosses the space the other one is occupying.
4. You'll get extra points for creating an interesting scenario – some sort of "story" to frame the action. Think of this as an opportunity to create a short film, not just to do an After Effects exercise. That's the difference between the footage in the first tutorial and the second tutorial – the first is just an exercise, and the only reason you'd watch it is to learn the exercise – the second has a bit more intrinsic value, to be watched on its own terms.
We'll also be getting introduced to the After Effects interface, and starting to work our way into the first AFter Effects assignment – the "cloning" assignment. I'll want you to have your footage shot, and ready to be manipulated, by Wednesday of next week (8/29). We may have some time in Monday's class for you to shoot at least some of your footage.
Here are a couple of tutorials I'll show in class to lay some groundwork for the cloning project.
And here are some cloning project parameters:
1. It doesn't have to be too long. One or two minutes is plenty.
2. There must be one shot where there are at least three "clones" of the same actor in frame.
3. There must be at least one moment where two of the clones physically interact – where one visually crosses the space the other one is occupying.
4. You'll get extra points for creating an interesting scenario – some sort of "story" to frame the action. Think of this as an opportunity to create a short film, not just to do an After Effects exercise. That's the difference between the footage in the first tutorial and the second tutorial – the first is just an exercise, and the only reason you'd watch it is to learn the exercise – the second has a bit more intrinsic value, to be watched on its own terms.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Special Effects as Stylization of Reality
I'll be showing several clips in class that show special effects being used to "stylize" reality (rather than trying to "fake" reality). Here are a few online clips, in addition:
Georges Melies:
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Sin City:
Georges Melies:
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Sin City:
Assignment: Special Effects (two parts)
I'm giving you two assignments right out of the gate: one that's due next class, and one that's due a week from the first class.
Due Wednesday (8/22), I want you to bring a scene or shot from a movie or TV show that shows some sort of special effect that you find interesting or effective. If it's on youtube or vimeo, embed it on this blog, or at least have the link ready. You can also bring it on DVD for us to project. I'll want you to show the clip, then explain to the class what you like about it. If you know, or can find out, how the special effect was actually achieved, I'd like you to present that as well. If you can't find a definitive answer, I want your best guess as to how the special effect was accomplished. The highest grade you'll be able to get on this assignment, if you can't present how the special effect was achieved, will be a B+.
Due this coming Monday (8/27), I want you to present a "special effect" of your own devising to the class. As I said in class, I think the essence of "special effects"" is to make the viewer believe that they've seen something that didn't actually happen in real life – something beyond what a camera could capture without post-production interference. You will present something that you shoot and edit yourself (you're encouraged to work in teams), that shows something that did not actually happen in "real life." I don't want you to use any special effects software to get your result - you can build models or costumes, use double exposures, and any sort of framing or editing trickery you like – but the special effects you use should be "practical effects." You choice of the effect is up to you. Is it a car crash? A monster attack? A ghostly haunting? A stunt? A firefight? A natural disaster? An act of magic? A space flight? Time travel? That part is up to you to figure out. This doesn't have to be shot on HD video – a video camera on your phone or computer will be sufficient. It's more important that this be clever than pretty.
In class I talked about the difference between effects that are supposed to be "realistic" and effects that are intended to be stylized. You can choose to go either route for this project.
Due Wednesday (8/22), I want you to bring a scene or shot from a movie or TV show that shows some sort of special effect that you find interesting or effective. If it's on youtube or vimeo, embed it on this blog, or at least have the link ready. You can also bring it on DVD for us to project. I'll want you to show the clip, then explain to the class what you like about it. If you know, or can find out, how the special effect was actually achieved, I'd like you to present that as well. If you can't find a definitive answer, I want your best guess as to how the special effect was accomplished. The highest grade you'll be able to get on this assignment, if you can't present how the special effect was achieved, will be a B+.
Due this coming Monday (8/27), I want you to present a "special effect" of your own devising to the class. As I said in class, I think the essence of "special effects"" is to make the viewer believe that they've seen something that didn't actually happen in real life – something beyond what a camera could capture without post-production interference. You will present something that you shoot and edit yourself (you're encouraged to work in teams), that shows something that did not actually happen in "real life." I don't want you to use any special effects software to get your result - you can build models or costumes, use double exposures, and any sort of framing or editing trickery you like – but the special effects you use should be "practical effects." You choice of the effect is up to you. Is it a car crash? A monster attack? A ghostly haunting? A stunt? A firefight? A natural disaster? An act of magic? A space flight? Time travel? That part is up to you to figure out. This doesn't have to be shot on HD video – a video camera on your phone or computer will be sufficient. It's more important that this be clever than pretty.
In class I talked about the difference between effects that are supposed to be "realistic" and effects that are intended to be stylized. You can choose to go either route for this project.
Welcome - Fall 2012 Class
Welcome to the "After Effects and Special Effects" class.
The syllabus can be downloaded here.
And here are links to tutorials for some of the effects we'll be covering in this class:
Cloning (using and keyframing masks):
Motion tracking for titles:
Physical Transformation:
"Stunt work" – making someone fly:
Green screen effects, digital "matte painting," and virtual cameras:
Simple animation with puppet pins:
Linked out.
Particles and light streaks:
The syllabus can be downloaded here.
And here are links to tutorials for some of the effects we'll be covering in this class:
Cloning (using and keyframing masks):
Motion tracking for titles:
Physical Transformation:
"Stunt work" – making someone fly:
Green screen effects, digital "matte painting," and virtual cameras:
Simple animation with puppet pins:
Linked out.
Particles and light streaks:
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