Research
Special effect are practical things like make-up, props Etc. An example of a special effect could be using sugar glass as a replacement for real glass during a fight scene where someone uses a glass bottle and smashes it over someone's head, it has the same effect as using real glass bottles but it removes all the danger factors of causing any injuries to someone. Visual effect on the other hand are things like green screen, CGI, Etc. These things are done in the computer compared to special effects that are done on the set during production. An example of visual effect could be someone falling from the sky, in reality he is just floating in the air held by ropes in front of a green screen.
5 Special Effects:
Sugar Glass:
Sugar glass was created as a replacement for real glass in stunts. The intention for it is to get rid of the dangers using real glass in stunts like smashing a bottle over someone's head or falling through a window, but still having the same visual effect as using real glass. The effect is successful in enhancing the scene as it gives the same effect as using the real one. Sugar glass is made by dissolving sugar in water and heating it to at least the 'hard crack' stage , Approx. 150 C. Sugar glass enhances the effect in the scene by still giving a realistic view on the action.The effect using sugar glass has on the audience is that it makes them think that the actors are using real glass during a fight scene and it give off a realistic feeling. The acting is the main thing that contributes to the overall effect of using sugar glass, if the acting is poor then the audience will be able to tell it's fake even if they are unaware of sugar glass.But, if the acting is on point then it will look realistic and people wouldn't be able to tell the difference that it's sugar glass not real glass.
Makeup is used to improve the visuals in a scene, it can be used in a fighting scene to cover someone in blood or give someone a black eye. If the make up is done correctly with the editing then it can look like it's actual blood and not make up which could improve the scenario a lot.
I think everything in my project will be successful if I pull it off well with my actors, filming, editing and the final outcome and seeing how well it comes out. Success in my eyes will also look like, if other people enjoy the video I produced then that will mean I was successful at my job and the feeling will be amazing as I know I did something well and others enjoyed watching it as much as I enjoyed creating it. From learning these new skill in Adobe After Effect and Premiere Pro this project might lead me to using these programs outside of college for other things like promoting my clothing brand on my own instead of relying on someone else.
For this project I will need to people to help out. The main role will be the actor, he will be doing all the major work that will be required in the scene. He will need to smash through a door and start shooting at targets. The role of the other person will be to stand behind the targets and pull a rope that will be attached to them in sync of when the actor shoots the bullet. To master this we will need to make sure it's in sync and looks flawless.
Link to google drive with all raw footage and effects used.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DV3xO6lz8KteZkRRsl77LtWX67LALVF7
Draft1:
The thing I need to change in this edit is that I need to go into After effect and learn how to do wire removal, as the string is really visible and I need to remove it somehow. I also need to make some of the transitions a bit smoother.
Final Video
Here is my final video of me using visual and special effects in a short 20 second video. The special effect I used was using prop guns instead of real guns. The visual effects I used were wire removal, gun flare, and green screen.
5 Special Effects:
Sugar Glass:
Sugar glass was created as a replacement for real glass in stunts. The intention for it is to get rid of the dangers using real glass in stunts like smashing a bottle over someone's head or falling through a window, but still having the same visual effect as using real glass. The effect is successful in enhancing the scene as it gives the same effect as using the real one. Sugar glass is made by dissolving sugar in water and heating it to at least the 'hard crack' stage , Approx. 150 C. Sugar glass enhances the effect in the scene by still giving a realistic view on the action.The effect using sugar glass has on the audience is that it makes them think that the actors are using real glass during a fight scene and it give off a realistic feeling. The acting is the main thing that contributes to the overall effect of using sugar glass, if the acting is poor then the audience will be able to tell it's fake even if they are unaware of sugar glass.But, if the acting is on point then it will look realistic and people wouldn't be able to tell the difference that it's sugar glass not real glass.
Make up
Prop Gun:
The use of a prop gun is to basically stop any deaths from occurring if they were to use a real gun. The intention of using a prop gun is to avoid any incidents but still keep a realistic scenario that looks good to the audience and the can't call it out for being a prop gun. The gun can be made the same as a real one but would have all the shooting mechanisms taken out of it so it doesn't shoot, or if it's a budget film they you can use a plastic gun which won't look as good quality as a real one but still can get away with using one. To pull of using a prop gun there is a bit of post production work that needs to be done in the editing, the editor needs to add the noise of a gun shooting and also add some flare and smoke, also play around with the lighting from the flare, they need to do this to make the prop gun look as real as the actual thing in the movie so by adding these it will make it more realistic. The main effect it has on the audience is that it tricks them into thinking that it's a real gun being used whereas it's a prop, this in general just makes the scene look a lot better.
Miniature Effect
Miniature effect is basically using scaled down models is to create a visual effect instead of using CGI or any other computer programs. An example of this would be, a massive wave hitting a bridge, that would be really hard to recreate in real life so film companies would use a miniature version of a bridge and create it that way. The effect it has on the audience is that it looks extremely realistic to it makes the audience believe it's actually a wave hitting a huge bridge when in reality its a tiny model of a bridge. The intention of using this effect is to create a realistic scenario without using any CGI or green screen. If done correctly using miniature models can be more effective than using CGI or any other visual effects, the main thing that needs to be focused on when doing this is the position of the camera and also the quality of the models, as if the models are poor quality and look rubbish it will be easily noticeable in the movie. The models are made out of a lot of materials it all depends on what they are going to be used for, if it's for scene with water or any liquid then it would most likely be made out of metal or steel, it would also be painted or wrapped in the correct colour needed.
Camera Lens:
You can use different camera lens to distort the view and create a different effect. You can use lens like the fisheye lens or 360 lens or any other lens that would change the view compared to stock lens. Using a different lens you can create a different mood and tone if done correctly in terms of using the correct lens in the correct scenario.
Visual Effect:
CGI:
CGI is used to create images in art, video games film and other. It can also be used to create inanimate objects, animals or creatures that look realistic but would be dangerous, expensive or impossible to capture on film for example a tiger fighting a human. The effect that CGI would have on the audience is that it would create impossible to film shots seem possible and also look realistic. CGI is all done in post production on the computer using software like 'Autodesk'. The CGI editing and acting needs to be on point to pull off using CGI and make it look realistic, if it's not done correctly then it will look rubbish.
Wire Removal
Wire removal is used when a character is doing something that involves being in the air, that be flying, falling, floating. The characters are originally attached to a wire and are in a green screen room, they perform their action and then in post production the wire and green screen are cut out and that creates a realistic effect of the actor actually flying or floating for example. If done poorly though the viewers will be able to tell it obviously fake if there is for example a bit of green screen left, or the action performed by the actor isn't good. If everything done correctly then it has an amazing effect in the scene and a good impact on the viewers.
Digital De-aging Software
The use for this software is to make actors look different to what they are, mainly age wise. It's used when characters look to old in person and make up wouldn't help de-age them, and vise versa. If done correctly with make up and using the software it can look extremely realistic and can make it look like it hasn't been edited and only people that know how the actor looks like in real life would know it''s edited. It can also be one of the selling points to a movie or film. Not a lot of viewers know there is software like this so the effectiveness of this is really good and is really popular in films where the actor has acted for a long time and has aged.
Digital Compositing
This is basically using a green screen and adding a lot more detail to the background, for example. If an actor is walking through a forest, they might add some trees. Or if they are on a boat with a crowd next to them, in reality they are in front of a green screen and the editor adds the boat and the crowd to the scene. If it's edited correctly then viewers won't be able to tell a difference when watching it.
Bullet Time
The point of this effect is detach the time of a camera of a subject, it's mainly known for scenes in the matrix when the actor leans back and avoids the bullets. The intention is also so slow down the action to allow high speed movements like bullets trails to be seen by the audience. It's achieved by a set of still cameras surrounding the subject.
Brainstorm images, ideas, colours.
Images:
Idea:
The idea I have that I will try and complete is a shooting scene, where my actor will walk into a room slowly and focused. After entering the room he will see targets all around the room that he will have to shoot at. I will have my actor use a fake weapon and the targets are going to be plates with an aim chart on them. I will have to capture the actor walking in from at least 2 angles. While shooting I will only record 1 angle. I will also need someone standing behind the targets and pull a string that will be attached to the plates to make them fall over when my actor shoots at it. After recording all the angles, in post production I will have to add gunshot noise, flare and smoke coming from the gun. With the flare I will also have to change the lighting and add lighting on the actors face as a reflection. Overall the only issues I might come across is making it look realistic as it's a new skill I'll learn meaning I'll have to do a few practice runs before doing the final shoot. If I master this skill then the final outcome will look brilliant and look extremely realistic but there will be a lot of fail attempts.
Films that use this effect:
Predator(1987)
Free Fire (2016)
The Dark Tower (2017)
S.W.A.T 3(2017)
Proposal
Backstory / What is the context of the task, what has happened before?
For this project I will present an idea where my actor walks into a room that is like a shooting practice. He is practising a scenario where there is targets in a room and he has to eliminate them. The character will burst into the room and shoot at each target with a prop gun, whilst I have someone behind the targets with a piece of string that will be attached to it and will pull it to make it fall over. I have never edited gun sounds and gun effects before, but I have used premiere pro so it won't be extremely hard to do. I will learn all the skill necessary on the way whilst editing it all. The skills that I will get from this would be of course editing gun effects and a shooting scene and filming multiple angles at once and switching through them without any difficulties.
For this project I will present an idea where my actor walks into a room that is like a shooting practice. He is practising a scenario where there is targets in a room and he has to eliminate them. The character will burst into the room and shoot at each target with a prop gun, whilst I have someone behind the targets with a piece of string that will be attached to it and will pull it to make it fall over. I have never edited gun sounds and gun effects before, but I have used premiere pro so it won't be extremely hard to do. I will learn all the skill necessary on the way whilst editing it all. The skills that I will get from this would be of course editing gun effects and a shooting scene and filming multiple angles at once and switching through them without any difficulties.
Opportunity / What’s the core problem you’re aiming to solve? What opportunity does it suggest?
The core problem that I'm trying to solve in this project is that if you put your mind to something you can learn it and master it. I'm going to try and prove that if you put you mind to learning a skill in the media industry you can master it and then use it in future projects. I'm going to be using a completely new skill that I have never used and never thought of using.
The core problem that I'm trying to solve in this project is that if you put your mind to something you can learn it and master it. I'm going to try and prove that if you put you mind to learning a skill in the media industry you can master it and then use it in future projects. I'm going to be using a completely new skill that I have never used and never thought of using.
Scope / What’s in? What’s out?
Out: Random objects around the room in the classroom. IN: prop gun. The overall scope of the project will be to create a well thought out shooting practise scene with good angles and realistic editing.
Out: Random objects around the room in the classroom. IN: prop gun. The overall scope of the project will be to create a well thought out shooting practise scene with good angles and realistic editing.
Target Audience / Who are they? Where are they? Describe them
The target audience for this scene as it's going to include shooting will be for anyone over the age of 15. There won't be any blood, any swearing or any sexual references, the only thing is the use of a gun. Majority of the viewers will be from England or USA. This film will be for audience that like anything that involves action that being Video games, Films, TV Shows etc.
The target audience for this scene as it's going to include shooting will be for anyone over the age of 15. There won't be any blood, any swearing or any sexual references, the only thing is the use of a gun. Majority of the viewers will be from England or USA. This film will be for audience that like anything that involves action that being Video games, Films, TV Shows etc.
Constraints / What are the brand, technology, resource, people constraints?
Throughout this project I will be using a wide range of equipment, software and resources. The main equipment I will be using would be a camera and tripod, most likely two of each, also would be using lights if the room is dark and can't get good natural lighting from the surrounding. The main software I will be using will be Adobe Premiere Pro, I might use Adobe After Effect but I'm not completely sure if I'll need to use it. Other resources that I'll use would be the props in the scene, that would be the prop gun I will have the main actor using, and then the targets which will most likely be tin cans with string attached to them that I will have to use another student to stand behind it and pull on it. One thing that I will need to make sure before planning filming is that my actors that I'm planning on using are happy to help out and will be free on the day I'm looking to do it, I will need to let them know in advance to allow them to make sure they are free on that day and not plan anything. I also need to make sure that the location I will want to use will be free and that I will be allowed to use it on the day. I will do the same thing that I will do with my actors, I will make sure a few days or weeks before filming that I will be able to use that location and that I will have all the necessary permission to film there.
Throughout this project I will be using a wide range of equipment, software and resources. The main equipment I will be using would be a camera and tripod, most likely two of each, also would be using lights if the room is dark and can't get good natural lighting from the surrounding. The main software I will be using will be Adobe Premiere Pro, I might use Adobe After Effect but I'm not completely sure if I'll need to use it. Other resources that I'll use would be the props in the scene, that would be the prop gun I will have the main actor using, and then the targets which will most likely be tin cans with string attached to them that I will have to use another student to stand behind it and pull on it. One thing that I will need to make sure before planning filming is that my actors that I'm planning on using are happy to help out and will be free on the day I'm looking to do it, I will need to let them know in advance to allow them to make sure they are free on that day and not plan anything. I also need to make sure that the location I will want to use will be free and that I will be allowed to use it on the day. I will do the same thing that I will do with my actors, I will make sure a few days or weeks before filming that I will be able to use that location and that I will have all the necessary permission to film there.
Assumptions / What are all our current assumptions? Both in terms of the target market and our abilities
My assumption for this project is that at the start it might be a bit hard for me to figure out how to create the effect smoothly and make it look realistic.I think after a few trial edits I will be a lot more confident in creating the effect and the final outcome will be a lot better than if I did it before with no practise. My assumption is also that with my past experience with camera and editing, the basic editing will be a lot easier for me now as I've been doing it for over a year now, also I will feel a confident using a camera than before and should be able to do it without any extra support.
My assumption for this project is that at the start it might be a bit hard for me to figure out how to create the effect smoothly and make it look realistic.I think after a few trial edits I will be a lot more confident in creating the effect and the final outcome will be a lot better than if I did it before with no practise. My assumption is also that with my past experience with camera and editing, the basic editing will be a lot easier for me now as I've been doing it for over a year now, also I will feel a confident using a camera than before and should be able to do it without any extra support.
Resources / Who is in the core and extended team? What is needed to achieve success?
In this project I will be using people from my class so it will be easy to communicate with them and plan things as we will be seeing each other on a day to day basis. The team will consists of two of my classmates, possibly three. One of the will be the main actor, his role will be to act and perform all the necessary actions needed, I will need to plan with him so that he is happy to do everything I'm planning to do. In the case that there is something he won't be happy with I will have to work with him and adjust it so that both of us are happy. The second person in the project I will be using will be another classmate, his role will be to stand behind the targets that will be placed around the room, and pull on the string whenever the first actor shoots, the hardest part about his role is doing it in sync with the gunshot. I will also need to make sure that he is happy with everything and if there is something he isn't happy then I will also have to adjust so that we are both happy with everything. The third person I might need will also be a classmate, his role will be to just help out operating the cameras as I will be using two cameras at once and will need some extra help, it's not a must as I can do it on my own and just sync the footage in post production but would make my life a bit easier if I had an extra cameraman.
In this project I will be using people from my class so it will be easy to communicate with them and plan things as we will be seeing each other on a day to day basis. The team will consists of two of my classmates, possibly three. One of the will be the main actor, his role will be to act and perform all the necessary actions needed, I will need to plan with him so that he is happy to do everything I'm planning to do. In the case that there is something he won't be happy with I will have to work with him and adjust it so that both of us are happy. The second person in the project I will be using will be another classmate, his role will be to stand behind the targets that will be placed around the room, and pull on the string whenever the first actor shoots, the hardest part about his role is doing it in sync with the gunshot. I will also need to make sure that he is happy with everything and if there is something he isn't happy then I will also have to adjust so that we are both happy with everything. The third person I might need will also be a classmate, his role will be to just help out operating the cameras as I will be using two cameras at once and will need some extra help, it's not a must as I can do it on my own and just sync the footage in post production but would make my life a bit easier if I had an extra cameraman.
Success / How will you measure success? Describe the hard metrics of success
The way I will measure success in this project will be quite simple. I will upload my 20 second clip up to youtube and other platforms and see the response. I will measure it mainly from the views it gets and the feedback I get from the viewers watching. I will also measure it myself by watching my video and evaluating it by myself and giving myself a rough estimate of how successful this project has been.
The way I will measure success in this project will be quite simple. I will upload my 20 second clip up to youtube and other platforms and see the response. I will measure it mainly from the views it gets and the feedback I get from the viewers watching. I will also measure it myself by watching my video and evaluating it by myself and giving myself a rough estimate of how successful this project has been.
Envision / What does success look like? Feel like? What will you be famous for? Where will this project lead?
I think everything in my project will be successful if I pull it off well with my actors, filming, editing and the final outcome and seeing how well it comes out. Success in my eyes will also look like, if other people enjoy the video I produced then that will mean I was successful at my job and the feeling will be amazing as I know I did something well and others enjoyed watching it as much as I enjoyed creating it. From learning these new skill in Adobe After Effect and Premiere Pro this project might lead me to using these programs outside of college for other things like promoting my clothing brand on my own instead of relying on someone else.
Skills needed to create the effect
People
Places
For my project the location I will use is most likely going to be a classroom in college. I will need to pick one of the biggest classrooms just so that I can get the best shots possible and be able to allow my actor to move around bit.
Equipment
The equipment I will need for this project will be camera, tripod, lights and maybe audio kit. I will need at least two cameras and two tripods as I will try to record a smooth shot that I can transition through without having to re record it. Lights will be used to make sure the room isn't too dark and to make some things stand out from others so that the audience focus on what is important in the scene and not some random thing that could catch their eye. I could possibly use an audio kit for better audio of the actor talking but that is not necessary as there won't be a lot of talking probably just 3 or 4 lines.
Props
The props I will use in this scene will be a fake gun, and targets possibly represented by tin cans. I will have a piece of string attached to the tin cans so that when the actor shoots I can someone pull the string so that it creates the effect he actually shot it and it fell over, just to make it more realistic and not make it pointless where the actor is shooting and something and nothing is happening. The prop gun will be the main thing in the scene as that will be focused on the majority of the time. I need to make sure that the gun I get will look as close to a real thing as possible as I want to make it as realistic as possible and having a plastic toy gun that looks rubbish won't be a good idea.
Location Recce
Learning and Testing Skill
Gun sound
I need to make sure that the gun sound is realistic and is also the right weapon sound for the weapon used in the recording, for example I couldn't use a sound of an AK-47 when in the recording I'm using a shotgun. I also need to make sure the audio of the weapon is high quality and clear. Any other audio I will use to create this effect I need to also need to make sure the quality is good.
Muzzle Flash
When adding muzzle flash I need to keep in mind a few things. The main thing being that they are quick so should only last a frame or two. Also no flash is the same so each muzzle flash has to look different and they can't look the same. I also need to create a reflection of the muzzle flash, I will need to create a bright orange spot, or whatever colour the muzzle flash will be, on the hands,arm, and face of the actor as well as on the gum. The reflection should only last as long as the muzzle flash.
Adding Smoke
When adding smoke I need to remember a few important things. I need to remember not to make the smoke too prominent and know which guns have the smoke and which don’t. I need to also make sure the smoke colour matches my shots.
Link to another tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekt1iV8FQXE&t=436s
Youtube Comment
Link to google drive with all raw footage and effects used.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DV3xO6lz8KteZkRRsl77LtWX67LALVF7
Draft1:
The thing I need to change in this edit is that I need to go into After effect and learn how to do wire removal, as the string is really visible and I need to remove it somehow. I also need to make some of the transitions a bit smoother.
Final Video
Here is my final video of me using visual and special effects in a short 20 second video. The special effect I used was using prop guns instead of real guns. The visual effects I used were wire removal, gun flare, and green screen.
Hello Jakub, your research is of a satisfactory standard. At the moment, your research is very explanatory, to achieve a higher grade, you would need to contextualise and apply your research to your own project. Some of your topics as well were not suitable (like 360 lens).
ReplyDeleteHello Jakub, your proposal is done to a satisfactory standard. More specificity, planning and reflection would be needed to improve your grade. Your envision was nice, but would have liked more reflection
ReplyDeleteHello Jakub, your final edit feels more like a rough cut, it was lacking the mise en scene, camera work and substance to feel complete. Although the effects were nice, they could have been honed in and perfected more. Again, this felt like a good rough cut, but not a final cut.
ReplyDelete