VFX TITLE SEQUENCE MAKING

I decided to set myself a day in the library to master the skills and tutorials I had watched in order to make my title sequence. I created a new composition and created a shape layer that would be the loading bar, then a box around it. With the loading bar I added a trim path to it so that I would be able to animate it, then edited the progression of the trim path and added easy ease. In the tutorial it gave an equation for the percentage of the bar to rise, I added the code however the numbers didn't go up at all. So I decided to delete the code and just add my own number when it got to 100%. After this was finished I pre composed the whole composition so I could start the next part of my title sequence. 

This part was the moving DNA piece. This tutorial was very intense and had to be stuck to very very closely, and I managed to do so. I started by creating two shape layers of circles and then duplicating them both to create masks for when they separated. I inverted the alpha matt for them so that when the circles drifted apart it seemed as if a bit of them was missing. I then creating a pole or listed Beam in the images below to create the piece that joined together the DNA. But in order for the circles and beam to keep together, I had to create a null object which was the rotation and parent all the circles and the beam to the null object. Then I keyframed how and where I wanted the rotation to happen and once I was happy with it, I then carefully keyframed so it appeared to come closer in the screen, even though all I did was enlarge the closest circle and decrease the furthest away circle. After I was happy with this then I pre composed this too and duplicated it, added roughen on the second duplicate to create a more motion blur effect then duplicated it some more so I could fill the screen and move them around. Attached below are some screenshots I took whilst working.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

VFX PROPOSAL

I had many ideas when it came to an opening title sequence for vfx. However my skills in after effects aren't as advanced as my mind wants them to be. I originally wanted to do the opening title sequence for My Little Pony, as it is a favourite show of mine, and I like the bright colours and felt it would be nice to work with. However, when talking with Phil he explained how much work I would have to do in order to create a sequence like that, a lot of animation, walk cycles and a lot more. As I have a lot going on in and outside of uni, I decided to work within my skill range in after effects. I learned how to create a neon light, and thought about what programmes had neon in them. I thought of Black Mirror and decided to try that out, I would have to film some live action too. But when it came to the live action filming I was stuck in the snow and I had to try and re create a sunny, hot west coast beach. So that meant I had to change my idea again. I watched quite a few tutorials on YouTube of things within my skill level and do them step by step. I first learned how to create a loading bar. This gave me ideas of TV shows and I decided to pick Humans the Channel 4 series that was really popular. After I had completed the loading bar, I thought of what else was linked to the TV show and DNA is one of them and technology so I watched some mega complex tutorials and tried to push myself and I managed to create DNA that moves around the screen. I am happy with what I have so far, although I am thinking of adding maybe something else on the end.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

VFX LESSON FOUR (SKELETON)

With this lesson being one of the last Phil decided to show us more complex things in after effects. He asked us to create a skeleton out of the shape layers. So rectangles and circles for the limbs and joints, very basic shapes nothing complex. Then adjust the centre point so that they were nearest the limb or joint they were going to be attached to. Then parent them to each other. For instance, the right foot was parented to the right shin, and the shin was parented to the thigh, then the thigh was parented to the pelvis etc. This was a really fun but complicated exercise to do! once that was all parented and together we used a plug in called Durik, which was an animation plug in that helped the limbs moved. It was a really cool plug in as you could select which limb was what and it would link it all for you so the limbs were then properly attached. Once this was done we could key frame the limbs so that they would move, or do a little dance. However, when I linked all my limbs up with Durik, something didn't seem to quite settle, somewhere in my parenting it had gone wrong and some of my limbs weren't properly attached. I had a look over to see if I had just missed something, but when Phil checked it he couldn't see anything either. But I didn't let this bring me down I still key framed my little skeleton and him being not properly connected just made him look more funny.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

VFX LESSON THREE (EXPERIMENTING)

This lesson was all about deciding what title sequence you wanted to do and start experimenting from there. I knew that My Little Pony was going to be too hard for me, so I had a look at some tutorials and found how to create a neon sign in after effects. I knew there was a neon sign in Black Mirror, so I thought I could create this neon sign, and film some live action and edit it together to look nice and well effected.

I followed the neon sign tutorial and it took a long time but I managed to get it working in the end, and once that was done I recreated that and just had some ending text before what would be the beginning of the show. This took me all day but I was feeling hopeful about how this would turn out as I felt it was complex enough but not too complex that I couldn't create it.

Sadly after this session it snowed it down and uni was closed for a few days. The episode of Black Mirror I wanted to create required really hot and sunny weather as it is based on the west coast of America. However it snowed it down so hard it was unsafe for me to drive to a beach, plus the beach would have snow on which wouldn't look how I wanted. So yet again I had to change my idea and change it fast.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

VFX LESSON TWO (LIQUID TEXT)

For the second lesson we were taught all about trim paths and all the effects you can do in after effects. We were asked to download a high res picture of the Nike logo, then import it. With the import Phil said we should use the pen tool to draw around and use the beziers to make sure we had nice curves and that it looked as close to the original as possible. Then we selected all the points we had made and created a trim path, also we were told that if you highlight your keyframes and press F9 then it makes them easy ease. Then you can edit this progression in the speed graph option.

Then with all of this set up we could key frame the trim path so that it would disappear and appear smoothly and so it looked sleek. This took quite a while to do as it was fiddly and complicated. But once it was done it looked really good and you could spend some time changing its colours and all sorts. I really enjoyed that lesson and can't wait for the next one

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

VFX LESSON ONE (3D TEXT)

This was our first lesson for VFX for creative toolkit so I was excited as to what we would do. After having a few after effects lessons in first year my skills aren't as good as other peoples but I am taking time to learn and improve so I can be as good as everyone else. Phil started us off with the first lesson introducing 3D layers, cameras and lights. 

Phil asked us to create a standard composition, and type whatever we wanted. Then he asked us to activate a camera in after effects, which I had never done before. But it was really fascinating as you could select weather you had depth of field and focus and everything. After activating a camera we then created the composition to become 3D. With the composition being 3D this meant that we can move around the space on a XYZ axis and give depth to the piece. We then added a light, this was also really cool as you could select what sort of light, weather it was a spotlight or a fill and how bright etc. We then were asked to duplicate the text you had typed earlier and move it round the space so that when you moved the camera, you would find the pieces of text and your light would shine on it too.

We were then encouraged to use the skills we had learned in the morning and apply them to making a 3D object, such as a box. We had to create the box from 2D square layers and then bringing them together. This was a lot harder than it seemed as you had to move constantly around the space in order to get all the sides touching. I managed to eventually create what looked like a box, but it took me so long that I ran out of time! 

I hope you enjoyed. Thank you.

DANCE FILM: LEARNING AGREEMENT

DESCRIPTION:

This dance piece explores the friction and compromise in relationships through structured choreography. With this piece I aim to display the physical and emotional connection and strain relationships have on each individual, with the dancers never touching, but simply coming close to each other and displaying touch through body language, posture and expression.

RESEARCH:

(TV) AHS coven - one takes 

(TV) Mr Robot - one takes

 (FILM) Wes Anderson - colour palette 

(FILM) Neo Yokio - colour 

(FILM) Her - colour, lighting

(FILM) Moonlight – lighting and colour palette 

(FILM) silver linings playbook 

(FILM) eternal sunshine of a spotless mind 

(FILM) happy together / Wong Kai Wai 

(MUSIC VIDEO)ok go - composition, colour 

(MUSIC VIDEO) sigrid - strangers – set, art direction, colour

(MUSIC VIDEO)idgaf dua lipa – colour, choreography

 (MUSIC VIDEO)wide open / chemical brothers - choreography

(INSTALLATION) james turrel - light and space

(PHOTOGRAPHY) Todd Hido 

CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING:

My work relates to my future goals by developing my exploration of sexuality, relationships, feminism and the female form. Previously I have made work about the objectification of women, sexuality and feminism and I felt this would be a good opportunity to explore similar themes through the medium of dance. I feel my work has similar themes from the likes of Yves Klein and his piece Blue Women Art, as he explored the female form and used paint in a way to choreography their movements. Another example could be a music video for Submotion Orchestra - Kites, where they used flowing material as an interpretation of the female form, and I will be introducing flowing material to symbolise fluidity, sexuality and femininity.

TECHNICAL AND CREATIVE SKILLS:

My technical and creative skills will include: One dance piece, handheld camera work, shoulder rig, gimball, set building, choreography composed by myself, team management with my crew, set design, set building, colour palettes, lights and gels, editing in Avid media composer, colour correction, creation of my own soundtrack.

COMMUNICATION:

I will create extensive call sheets and schedules, and will give a copy of both to my tutor to ensure she knows exactly when and where we are shooting, who is on set, and their contact details. I will set up a google doc with all the pre-productin to ensure that all crew are up to speed with the development on the film. I will hold regular meetings with the crew to make sure they are all happy, on board and are competent in their roles. This piece communicates with the audience by using an aesthetic colour palette of light pastels and soft colours to draw your eye to the piece, then with the choreography it will conceptually engage the audience with flowing movements and dramatic shifts in body language and posture. It will also engage with the audience by displaying that it is a relationship that is flawed and I feel that many people can relate to this weather a romantic relationship or purely platonic.

SELF MANAGEMENT:

I will ensure I am well managed by having regular meetings with my crew about up and coming film dates, what we need to prepare, and what is already done. I will look at the timetable and select my filming dates carefully and make sure that all my crew are available. With this shoot I will of course have schedules and call sheets to make sure we are on track and getting the most out of the time we are shooting. I will make sure that we shoot the dance film at least three weeks before the deadline to allow me to have enough time to edit and, if necessary re shoot anything or make any adjustments. I will make sure that I have all my pre-production with me at all times on shoots and meetings with the crew and with my tutor to ensure that I am giving correct information about our shoot days and can stick to the schedule as accurately as we can.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.