Next Step: VFX

A quick update on my recent activity:

I have spoke to a writer about the scriptwriting part of my Major Project, I have sent him an email with all the details about my film I have so far. I will meet with the writer on Monday to discuss the film further.

I have made a major decision with the VFX side of my film: to cut out the third dimension. After a lot of research into 3D modelling, particle systems, rendering for After Effects and Compositing, I found that applying 3D models into my composites would be too time consuming and complex to complete within the time constraints. I have made a compromise to use the excellent 3D functionality of After Effects and Photoshop.

I have spent yesterday compositing a meteor flying through the air in After Effect, using a particle system plugin called Trapcode Particular. The entire composite took around 3 hours including rendering, which gave me an insight into how much time it would take to create a shot similar to this for my final project.

Plan for next week:

• Finish Post Production for the Green Screen Shoot filmed recently.
• Produce a test reel from the Green Screen Shoot to add to my collection of material.
• Produce an estimated budget for both VFX tests and Green Screen Shoot.

Well that's the plan...

Until next time

Mike

The Green Screen Shoot

Hi,

Another day, more work to do. Here's an update on yesterday:

I scheduled a green screen shoot yesterday with one of my colleagues. This exercise was to get some test shots which I could composite in After Effects to prepare me for my final project next May. On the shoot, I managed to get my colleague to pretend an explosion hit him and he fell back onto a crash mat...This was hilarious to watch, but it may sell the effect. During the shoot, I found that there were couple problems which became apparent very quickly:

• We didn't have enough lights: when we arrived at the location, we had 3 Gulliver (300w) lights. We started lighting the green screen as evenly as possible. But when we lit the green screen as evenly as we could (which was not an easy task), once the subject entered the scene, he was completely underexposed in the camera. We needed more lights...
• We had no 'tough spun': when lighting the green screen, we found that 'hotspots' appeared on the wall, which would be a nightmare to key out in post. So we spoke to a lecturer who was able to provide us with 'tough spun' to diffuse the harsh light on the wall, lighting the green screen evenly.

Overall, this was a fun shoot and I will produce a test reel which will be on my Vimeo, Youtube, Facebook and so on. 

Cheers

Mike

An intro

Hi, I'm Mike Struthers and I am a student studying TV production at Edinburgh College. I'm now in my second year and its a much more challenging course than last year. This year there is one massive project (Graded Unit) which consists of Major Project (which will be a ten minute short film, either factual or non factual), a showreel, and any further promotional material that would be of use to a potential employer... Tough gig.

My strategy plan:

• To come up with a film idea
• To write a decent script
• Incorporate all my skills that I would use in my desired job 
• Collate a series of my best shots into a Show Reel 
• Produce a Website that will host everything all in the one place
• Regularly update social networks with my professional activity
• Produce a strong CV and Cover letter to send out to all employees that might employ me.

As I write this post, I am researching cool VFX shots that I could learn to do and incorporate into a short film next year.

As for the writing of a script part... I would ideally like to employ a writer to help me create a script and decent story.

In the mean time, there is a potential work experience opportunity with '20/20' Productions based in Edinburgh. Over this weekend I will have drafted my second draft of my CV and completed a Covering Letter to show when the meeting takes place on Monday afternoon.

Well that's the plan for now...

Cheers
Mike