Production Diary #5 - Green Screening & Editing

December 12, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

Green screen are used is almost every film genre - most commonly used in science-fiction, action, adventure and thriller films. These are utilized when the scene, or shot, requires to be set in a new location that cannot be found to created locally. For most institutions, using green screens and CGI to replicate a new place is a cost effective method compared to scouting out a location or build a set. Green screen allow the director the take to audience to a new location that would otherwise be impossible.

Our short fight scenes is located on a rocky planet in space and in order to have our actors in that sort of environment, I needed to create it using CGI (computer generated imagery). We used a green screen to shoot the fight scene and then using a combination of Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and Cinema 4D, I created a 3D rocky environment which will become the backdrop for the shot. A green screen can be easily removed using a chrome/color key which removed solid colours from the background. This technique is a more effective than rotoscoping, which involves pain staking cropping every frame to remove the background. The are pros and cons for each method, however, using a green screen for this shoot was the most suitable method. Lucky on the day of the shoot, the clouds were out meaning the light was already diffused - reducing harsh shadows on the actors and shadows that may cast on the green screen. This allows for a more even shade of green across the backdrop, making it easier to key out during post-production.

The images above from from the day of the shoot. On the green screen I've randomly placed dark crosses across the green backdrop. This allows me to track the background in post, and acted as reference points which helped me when adding the visual effects.
At the time of filming, we only had two actors for the fight scene so we used a tripos to capture the shot and then we use had myself and another actor act out our choreographed fight scene. Since there was only two of use, and I wanted multiple people in the fight scene, we shot two separate scenes.

If I could re-shoot this green screen scene, I would iron out the creases to make it easier to remove in post, however, After Effects managed to key out the green easily. Only a little extra touch-ups were required as some streaks were not removed fully. The print screens below are the stages I took to remove the background withing After Effects.

Step 1

The first step is to import the footage into After Effects. Since I shot this scene twice, with protagonists coming from both sides, I've placed the tracks in the Composition panel and made sure that it flows from one track to another.

Step 2

The next step is to remove the any background elements that cannot be removed using a chroma key. This includes the house in the back, and the black duck tape and track marks. This is come by roto scoping out these elements. This is achieved by using the pen tool and individually removing each element from every frame. The top image shows where the pen tool marks are (with the coloured lines in the Composition panel). The other image has the lines hidden to show what the footage now looks like.

Step 3

The last step is to remove the green screen. This is easily achieved by using a chroma key, or in this case, the Keylight effect which is built into After Effects. With this, I can control the colour that is removed and the how much of the colour is removed. By adjusting these settings I have removed the background and now i can replace the background with anything appropriate for the scene.

Production Diary #3 - VFX & CGI

November 18, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

The use of Visual Effects and Computer Generated Imagery in my media production will play a key role in the success of my trailer. Seamlessly adding visual effects with the footage will help with the continuity of the film and the audience will feel as if they are there. Unrealistic use of CGI and VFX can break continuity and will leave the audience feeling disappointing, and often making the product unsuccessful before it's even released.

Throughout this production, I'll be using different techniques suck as matte paintings, 3D modelling, 2D and 3D motion tracking, projection mapping, rotoscoping, green screening and implementing 3D assets into different clips. These will all be capable using the programs I talked about in HERE(Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Premiere Pro).

Spaceship Models

In this post I'll be talking about creation the spaceship and robot models that will be going into the extreme long shot of Aurora from space, and the encounter at the brginning. I used the 3D editing software Cinema 4D to create the models for each spaceship and robot which will be implemented in different shots throughout my trailer. STORYBOARDS, From my storyboarding, shots numbers 4,5,7 and 19 utilize the 3D models of the spaceships and robot.
Using Maxon Cinema 4D, I created these textured models below. The theme I chose for the spaceship models is a futuristic looking object, where they back-up the science-fiction genre but still have a deign where they suggest it is the antagonists. The sharp angular designs are almost like sharp knife edges which connote danger and crime. The textures I'll be adding on these models will have a dark theme because of its connotations to evil and danger.
Below are GIF Animations of the models for my spaceships, where we get a 360° look of the models. They've been left un-textured to only represent the shape of the models.

Robot Model

This robot was also created using Cinema 4D, and the design I chose was a mix between aesthetics and a utilitarian design. It is unlike robots in sci-fi films such as Transformers, Star Wars where they usually have human-like-features. The robot I created still has a scene of design however it's non-human looks is what sets it apart from other films.

Working inside Cinema 4D

Below are screenshots from my editing workflow within Cinema 4D.

Production Diary #2 - Creating the planet in the sky

November 12, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

A few of the shots in the trailer includes a medium shot of the main protagonist, Nick Aries, looking at the large planet in the sky, and a close up shot of the planet as a large spaceship flies past it.

Creating these shot will require the use of different software, special effects and filming techniques. To create the planet, I used Photoshop to create the texture for the planet and then I will use that texture to apply to a 3D sphere within Cinema 4D.

This is the original texture:

As you can see from the image above, the colours are generally flat and dull looking. Within Photoshop, I have to use a curves adjustment layer to adjust the colour in the image. From the three images below, you can see I've have come up with three different colour schemes.

These images all have the same texture on them however the first image has a deep purple hue with gold highlights. The second image eliminates much of the blue and purple sections and is mostly gold. The last image is a mix between blue and gold.

The next step is to create the planet in a 3D software. I chose Cinema 4D because of its easy to use interface and its render settings can be customised to give the look and feel you want. In Cinema 4D, I added a sphere object, then on the sphere object, I applied the texture then rendered it. Below are the steps I took and the video at the end is just a showcase of the planet which has been rotated 360° so you can see it from all angles.

In the render settings, I've added a glow to the planet to make it stand out more in the sky. Whenever this planet is needed in a shot, I can easily add this 3D element to the shot through a compositing software like Adobe After Effects.

Production Diary #1 - Creating Aurora

November 10, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

Within Photoshop, I created the texture for the planet Aurora. This 2D texture can be used on a 3D object like a sphere to create the planet, however, I applied the texture on a sphere in photoshop the create the planet. I chose to make the planet Aurora in Photoshop rather than a 3D programme like Cinema 4D since the only shots of Aurora in out trailer from a distance. This means that we won't see the planet move and rotate as much as if it were close up to the camera.

The two images below show the texture of the surface for planet Aurora in our trailer. The first image is the main image with the land and sea, and the second image includes the cloud layer. This adds depth to the image and is more effective when applied to a sphere.

This is the image of Aurora as a sphere. From the image, you can see that I have added a star background. I created using a noise layer which I adjusted with curve levels that gave it this look. The use of a starry background indicates that our film is an adventure film. I've also added a soft, light blue, glow around the planet which adds more realism. Images of the Earth also have a glow from its atmosphere. The dark shadow on the left side and the glow from the right side make the image of the planet look more spherical and 3D. The use of the optical flare creates a cinematic feel which is a common practice in adventure and science-fiction films.

Costune and Props

October 29, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

The short fight scene in my trailer used two sword but due to health and safety, we used two blunt wooden sticks with taped handles. This will make filming the sequence a lot safer and the scene will utilises a long shot, therefore the audience will not be able to recognise that they're fighting with wooden sticks. The duck taped handles are also a safety precaution in order to stop any splinters and make it more comfortable to hold.

Main Protagonist

The main character in Aurora is a 17 year old teenagers - Nick Aries. Through mise-en-scène, we, as the audience, expect him to be wearing typical clothing which represent his age. This usually includes jeans, trainers and a jacket or hoodie. From the image above, you can see the actor is wearing dark blue jeans, trailers and a red jacket with a hoodie underneath.

Antagonist

The antagonists in Aurora wear dark clothing with no visible face. Instead, their faces are a red glowing ring which created an intimidating presence when they're about. Since using a glowing ring when filming will not be possible, I'll have to edit this is post production using visual effects. In the image above, we can see the use of the sword props which the antagonists will be using.
The dark black clothing indicate fear, violence and danger, which is what you'd expect from an antagonist.

Research and Planning Targets

October 21, 2016 Mr Thornton 0 Comments

Upload everything you have in the half-term. There should be a huge range of posts of analysis and planning to which I should be able to view to give you feedback. No good simply having drafts at this stage! We'll discuss on the first day back after half-term!

A2 Trailer Script

October 15, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

Aurora Trailer Script

Scene 1

HOLOGRAM CHARACTER

Nick Aries?

NICK ARIES

How do you know me?

HOLOGRAM CHARACTER

We’ve been looking across the universe for you.

Scene 2

HOLOGRAM CHARACTER

(Voice Over)

Your farther was our hero.

On the day of your birth, he saved our entire planet…

(pause)

Including you.

Scene 3

NICK ARIES

(Voice Over)

Where are we?

HOLOGRAM CHARACTER

(Voice Over)

We are on Aurora.

Scene 4

HOLOGRAM CHARACTER

(Voice Over)

You have special powers Nick.

(Voice Over)

Powers that will soon be tested.

Final Storyboard

October 15, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

This is the final storyboard for our A2 Media production.

The storyboard animatic for 'Aurora' can be found here - https://youtu.be/DYEMXGmwLcs.

Final Storyboard Animatic

October 15, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

Guardian Entertainment

October 11, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

I used a combination of Cinema 4D and Adobe Premiere Pro to create this production sequence. I used Cinema 4D to create the 3D text and environment and then rendered the project at DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) 4K (4096x2160) at 24fps. From the video below, the camera which moves towards the 'Guardian Entertainment' text is the same view ad the institution camera above. I've also animated the text so that the text 'Guardian' expands horizontally and the 'Entertainment' text moves towards the camera.

After rendering the image sequence in Cinema 4D, I imported it into Adobe Premiere Pro where is finalised the production sequence. I used 'RGB Curves' to slightly alter the colour so that the test is whiter and there is more contrast between the text and background. I also added a vignette effect so that the edges are slighter darker than the centre. This is effective as it puts the focus into the centre of the shot, where the text is, rather than the outsides. In Premiere Pro, I also added some sound effects. I've layered two audio tracks as this add depth in the music and makes it sound more like what you'd expect in a production title shot.

Soundtrack Research & Analysis

October 08, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

Different film trailers need different soundtracks to relate to their genre and the mood the director is trying to express. For example, action films, will generally have a fast beat and a loud soundtrack to link to the fast editing used in action films. The instruments used in the soundtracks for films and trailers can usually tell us a lot about the genre of the film. Fast and loud drums may connote an action film, a lot of snares/build ups may be a thriller or horror and a slow pace with pianos and violins may be a romance film.

For our film, we will most likely be creating a science-fiction and adventure, as this is the most favourited genre amongst our target audience. Soundtracks that are associated with these genres may contain long build ups to create tension or quick snares for suspense. Some orchestra soundtracks are often used in adventure films as they contain a multitude of instruments that keep the audience entertained during different shots in different locations.

Below are few non-copyright soundtracks that I have researched and analysis because these could potentially be used in out film trailer.

Sirius by Arc North

Sirius is a fast-paced electronic music soundtrack which links to an action and science-fiction genre. Throughout there are moments when the music if quiet and loud however the fast beat is still present. I think I will most likely not use this track because it the beat indicates an action genre whereas I’m looking for a slower paced and a more of an orchestral track to indicate a sci-fi adventure.

The Call by Mattia Cupelli

The Call by Mattia Cupelli uses starts off with a piano playing and throughout we start to hear violins and echoic bass drums. The piano keys are consistent throughout the soundtrack and along with the violin and the long lasting, echoic, drums, these make the soundtrack feel emotional. This track may suggest towards an adventure or thriller because of the use of the bass drums which add emphasis on things that may happen in a scene.

LETTING GO by Nicolai Heidlas

The piano is primarily used in LETTING GO, with the high keys acting as the beat and the low chords that play every few seconds. This combination makes the music feel sad and moving. For this reason, I will not be using this track because I will be creating a sci-fi and adventure film which needs more of an uplifting and electronic feel.

Without Limits by Ross Bugden

Starting off with calm piano chords, we are first under the impression that this is going to be a sad themed song however when the violins and drums are introduced, the soundtrack quickly changes to a happy and uplifting track. There is a fast snare midway through the track and suddenly after that point, the music suddenly becomes more energetic and joyful. I could possible use this track however the ending may be too cheerful for my film.

Parallel by Ross Bugden

Parallel is a mix between orchestra and slight electronic music. It contains bass-drums, violins and piano/percussion instruments but near the end we also hear an electronic keyboard. This soundtrack has a slightly more sad and emotional feel than an uplifting and epic feel.

Interstellar by Ross Bugden

Interstellar starts off with a slow piano then the stringed instruments stars slowly coming in. As this progresses, we start to hear drums, violins and some brass instruments being included. This orchestra music makes the soundtrack feel epic which is the sort of music that is associated with an adventure film. Nearer the end, he hear female vocals makes the sound track feel more like a sci-fi drama.

Font Title Research & Analysis

September 30, 2016 Unknown 0 Comments

I have chosen ‘Aurora’ as the title of our film because it is based around the fictional planet of Aurora and it’s not an everyday work which is what you’d expect in science-fiction films. Different names in sci-fi and adventure films have unusual or uncommon names and by using an uncommon name, we can indicate to the audience that this is a science-fiction film.

Having looked at different science-fiction and adventure film titles, we found that much of them used a sans serif font that was bold. They generally used one colour in the font, however, some uses one extra colour to either outline the text or to add an effect to it. We will want to be recreating something similar so that our film title further indicates that our film is an adventure and sci-fi. Instead of using a solid font, we’ve realises that some film titles have a texture to make it look worn or give it a metallic look.

Below are different fonts types which have been slightly edited to indicate more of a sci-fi adventure film. (original font on the left and edited font on the right)