Class 13 - Mar 06
- Assignment 5 Video Screening and Discussion
- Camera Tracking AE
- 3D Type in AE
- Introduce VFX Project 1
- Assignment:
- Reading:
- Tutorial:
- After Effects VFX Essential Training (Demafiles) (Lynda)
- Announcements:
- Fem-Dev Kickoff: Madison, Cool Beans Coffee Cafe, Wed March 7 at 7pm
- Weekend Movie: Pitch Perfect 3, Summers Auditorium, $1 w/ hawkcard
- Midterm now(ish) & & Spring Break Coming Soon
- Advising Begins Next Week: 377/477 same as this semester, 388 & 488 as separate classes
- Time Wasters:
Reviewing Video Assignment 5: Video Signals
All videos should be submitted on D2L prior to the beginning of class for Assignment 5. After videos are collected, we will begin reviewing and discussing the work. We should focus our attention on the technical concerns we were addressing:
- Synth or Video Effects Mix?
- Quality of Visuals:
- Organic?
- Technological?
- Repetition/Pattern?
- Color?
- Abstraction/Non-Narrative?
- Where/How might one use footage like this?
Tracking
To continue exploring visual effects processes, we will spend some time looking at motion tracking today. Essentially, our software can be used to track specific points in live action footage and use those to control or move other elements. For example, a "call out label" might be added to show a character name while they are moving on screen. There are lots of different ways to do tracking... we will start with whats possibl in Premiere and then look at the more robust tools for this work in After Effects.
- No real motion tracking in Premiere Pro
- Mostly workflow would be to do motion tracking in AE
- In Premiere, can do some work manually: place graphic etc in position and use keyframes
- Switch between focus panel, and use arrow keys to speed process
- Masks can be tracked automatically - Mask Tracking
- After Effects has more specialized effects tools for Motion Tracking
- Point Tracking (2D)
- Camera Tracking (3D)
- AE Point Tracking:
- Add Footage
- Open Tracker Panel
- Track Motion
- Move and Adjust Track Point Target
- Analyze Footage
- New Layer - Null Object
- In Tracker, Edit Target to attach track data to Null Object, Then Apply
- Add New Layer (Graphic Content, Type Tool, ETC) and Parent to Null Object
- AE 3D Tracking:
- Add Footage
- Open Tracker Panel
- Track Camera
- Analyze Begins, 3D Tracking Points are added once complete
- Select tracking points, create a "plane" to attach too
- Opt Click to adjust target size
- Right Click (CTRL+Click) on target to add content
- Example: Create Null
- Add New Layer (Graphic Content, Type Tool, ETC) and activate 3D Layer
- Position in "3D space" to follow tracking points
- Example: Create Text
- Adjust Rotation, Scale, Position
- Moves based on track target
- BONUS: 3D Type
- Check Renderer: Ray Traced 3D
- Geometry Options: Bevel and Extrude
- Add Light to see depth of object, try to match space
- Adjust materials for reflection etc
- Shadow: Duplicate layer, rotate to look like other surface, blur effect, decrease opacity
VFX Project 1 Introduction
A new, longer term, VFX project will be introduced in class that focuses on the visual effects pipeline. The VFX Project 1 Page outlines what the project requirements, deadlines, and evaluation criteria are. This work will take time to develop and there will be regular opportunities to get feedback about what you are doing. It is imperative that before beginning the project you understand that there revisions and reshooting will be necessary.
The first stage of our project will require you to create a text description, research relevant reference material, create story boards, create a shotlist, create an outline or script, and begin exploring what equipment you will need. During Class 15 - all pre-production materials will be presented in class and will be evaluated as part of the project requirements.