Light Saber Test Shot

This effect is fun to created with any long stick or material. The object is to hold something to trace in After Effects. In this video, we used a ruler. I imported my footage in After Effect, create new comp, drag footage to timeline, create new solid on top of footage, disable eye icon,trace shape of your object, create mask path for shape from beginning to end. Cool outcome.

Body Double Test Shot

The test shot is about a man who is fighting his inner self(alto egos). In the other hand, his one ego is trying to win him over(the main character).

I wanted the viewer to be confused like the main character and the atmosphere had to be out of place(shabby). I created the location by breaking and rearranging everything in my parents basement(exaggerating/joking) to create a set. The art board in the shot were used to block the window(daylight)behind the hooded me. In class, we learned that light can interfere with stationary camera. For example, shooting a footage at 12:00pm on a sunny day will not looking the same when you take another shot 30 minutes later, sun moves light changed(extra work trying to match the background, good luck).I placed more art board to match scenery. I enjoying filming this test shot. Its toke me about half a day to do. I pre-planned with storyboard.

Difficulty: Since I was operating the camera and acting, I had to remember my position to avoid clashing with the doubles and props for each chareacter(The cigareete is fake by the way, the light gave it a lit look, 99 cent store). The camera angles had to set correctly to avoid continuity issues.

Movie Test Shot

The motive for movie test shot was to select a movie for character replacement. I choose to put myself in Batman Begins. The concept is color matching, masking and rotoscoping. The ending message of that movie is very powerful.

Head Explosion Test shot

The head explosion effect was done in class to show the power of After Effect's Shatter tool, under simulation. I composite the house, sky, smoke, bomb, trees and cows using several layers. James head and body are in separate layers. The head has to be isolated to add the shatter to it.

Class Assignment(Dream movie)

This was our first assignment in After Effects. Its was a cool start to learn key animation, layer arrangement from foreground to background and importing media to AFX. Practice makes perfect.

Car Crash Test Shot

The car crash class project was a fun and funny project. We were introduce to using green screen outside a studio element.

Difficulty: The issues we faced was lack of even light for the green screen(shadows). In post, I had to do more keying, rotoscoping and cleaning up.

Green Screen Test Shot

This was very fun to set-up. The actress performed with a steady pace in front a portable screen. The lighting is a mixture of natural and artificial light. I can't wait to master AF. AF buddy wanted!!!

LEARNED FROM MY MISTAKE: Use green instead of blue. Also, Shiny green/blue screen is a nightmare to key.

Pulp Fiction Background test

This project is a combination of rotoscoping, motion tracking and using Photoshop to edit a clean plate of the video. The original scene shows Bruce Willis entering the Bar. The assignment was to take him out completely.

Difficulty: Keeping the separate layers intact. As you can see, the motion tracking is not enough more rotoscoping is needed.

Finals Movie

This is a remake of classic Citizen Kane and Mildred Pierce. I combined the two movies into one storyline to fit my point of view. For our final assignment, we had to choose and combine effects and visual concept learned during the semester. This project was Cool to produce.

Difficulty: When it came to rendering time, this project took a hundred years. I had to take a couple effects out, such as, the Shatter effect for the orb, snow on Kane's lips(extreme close-up) and orb. Furthermore, The Characters voice had to be re-recorded(Voice Over)because our generator was louder than a steam engine.

Morphing Effect

I enjoy this tool from Boris(Bcc7openGL+BCCMorph). If you want the morph to work, a good start is to keyframe where the image is regular and keyframe at the end of the timeline. The end keyframe will be your destination key for whatever you want to morph. I choose this wonderful painting. Also, curious to see if I can do the Incredible Hulk transformation with this tool.

Motion Tracking

Hmm, I think there's a missing adjustment during forwarding. Retry!!!