Video Proposal

So I was asked to remake the proposal for my project in video. And I decided to have a go at Colour Keying with a home made green screen. I learnt how difficult it is to get this trick to look good, and its all in the production, not post-production! I'm really happy I did this because I learnt a lot of simple things from it.
1. Any shadow made on the Green screen will be very difficult to key out, so it has to be flat.
2. Don't stand right in front of the screen, give it enough space so you can shine a light on the screen and then stand in front of that.
3. Next, don t forget to light the subject. In my work here I was in a grim car park so not much light was needed.
I tried to get a piece of cloth from the silk store to use as a green screen and this time it just about did the job, I plan on getting some wood panels to keep the fabric tort. this will give me a more even surface to work with.
Before starting the video I went out to take some reference pics for the actual project I'm going to work on, so these images may creep up again in the final video.

Warm up Video

I made this video from a cool day out with some friends in Rye Park, High Wycombe. Just dibby-dabbing with different screen edge blurs, time stretch, camera tracking and vignettes. I know the camera tracking is a bit off because there is water running through all the rocks that I tried to track  but the point was more towards using the method rather than getting it spot on :). Also I think I covered it up pretty well with the blur which is what animation is all about right ? .. hiding stuff so that it looks real?
This was a nice little way to get myself warmed up for the live action footage I want to work with in my first project. I want to thank all my friends that let me film them. Oh and also to Peter Marchant who's music I used without asking but hes also a friend, so I'm hoping hes cool with it because I sent him the video in a Facebook message. I'm sure that would make it pretty legit, right?

Final year proposals

Proposal 1

Aims (What is your goal/plan?  Or an anticipated outcome?)

The aim is to create a 3 minute live action video full of VFX and video compositing.  The story is a comedy in which a British secret agent is up against an American spy in a race to capture the same target. The two assassins get themselves into situations which contrast the vast difference between the explosive behaviour in Hollywood against the subtle humour of British Cinema.

Learning Outcomes (What do you hope to achieve and learn at the end of the project. You could list 3 – 4 learning outcomes but be realistic and helps with your intended learning) 

To use what I’ve learnt through online tutorials and create VFX on live action footage.

To storyboard and direct a comedy short.

To experiment with range of camera angles in my work.

Mood boards (A series of images, references, inspirations, videos etc, sketches). This could even be tests or experiments you have done over summer. 

Men in Black, Wanted, The Matrix, James Bond, Johnny English, Taken, Sean of the dead, Sherlock Holmes, VideoCopilot.com, Pre Prep Work for prev L6,

Reflection and Action Plans (Reflect on your strengths, learning needs and how you intend to achieve them? test projects? )

Production Pipeline:

Storyboard – prepared before project starts

Establish locations, actors, clothing and props – prepared before or during filming period

Direct video as cameraman – 30^th Oct to 14^th Nov

Edit/composite raw footage – 15^th Nov

Add SFX – 16^th Nov to 29^th Nov

Final cuts and prep presentation – 30^th Nov to 2^nd Dec

The location will primarily be in High Wycombe as it is easy for the actors to get there, although through compositing I will be able to make the locations unrecognisable.

Using my class as a control group I can test whether my work is conveying the message I want on screen.

 Proposal 2 

Aims (What is your goal/plan?  Or an anticipated outcome?)

To create a working 2D armature for an interchangeable character in After Effects. This character would be able to turn around 360 degrees, believably. He would be able to lip-sync, blink and preform plausible actions such as struggling to pick up a heavy box.

Learning Outcomes (What do you hope to achieve and learn at the end of the project. You could list 3 – 4 learning outcomes but be realistic and helps with your intended learning) 

To create a visually professional looking 2D character with an armature.

Perform Tasks:  Walk, Run, Talk, Lift heavy object, show 3 emotions, interchange body parts while keeping the same armature.

Use tests to put together a character animation show reel.

Mood boards (A series of images, references, inspirations, videos etc, sketches). This could even be tests or experiments you have done over summer. 

The animation bible, drawing cartoons, online tutorials, my vimeo videos, my own knowledge of After Effects

Reflection and Action Plans (Reflect on your strengths, learning needs and how you intend to achieve them? test projects? )

Production Pipeline:

Creating and rigging character- 30^th Oct to 6^th Nov

Animating realistic character movements- 7^th Nov to 29^th Nov

Create Show reel and prep presentation- 30^th Nov to 2^nd Dec

The character will be created, rigged and animated solely on After Effects. I will use live footage to use as a base layer to animate on.

Using my class as a control group I can test whether my work is conveying the message I want on screen.