WEEK 1
This week we explored the shooting plans. Camera shots have a significant impact on the way a viewer interprets the action on screen.
Extreme close-up shot (ECU)
Close-up shot (CU)
Medium close-up shot (MCU)
Medium shot (MS)
Long shot
Very long shot
Extreme long shot
A Tilt
A pan
A Zoom
A Pull-Out
A combination shot
Statement of intent
I chose to study visual effects because, obviously, I love films, but to go into depth on it, I am passionate about mixing storytelling with technology. I would like to take part in the process of filmmaking, because I love how we can connect a story to a feeling and I highly believe that this makes us more empathetic and makes us have a much more receptive attitude toward the world.
What fascinates me about VFX is the possibility of increased immersion in a story and making the impossible, possible. Since I was little and I was watching movies with my friends that made us say 'wow', I knew that I want to take part in this whole process one day. I think it's cool to know you can make someone feel emotion through your job. When I finish the course, I hope to get a job in the VFX industry and make people believe in the fiction.
Some of the people that inspire me:
Nicolas Bruno (photographer)
James Cameron (Director & Producer of Avatar, Titanic, Terminator, Alita)
Terminator 2 (Key VFX Scene- Morphing T1000 scene) : The liquid metal cyborg T1000 rises from the floor and morphs into the shape of a flesh and blood character. A almost 2 minutes scene included over 100 elements of CG.
In Titanic, key effects included ocean generation, passengers on the ship's deck and composing Kate Winslet's iris onto one of Gloria Stuart's eyes
Christopher Nolan, Director & Producer of Inception, Batman, Inception,
Stant Winston, VFX artist of, the alien, T-800, Avatar, T-Rex.
Andy and Lana Wachowski, directors of The Matrix
WEEK 2
This week we learned about camera angles, movements and types of shots. We also explored more what photo stories are.
Exposure Triangle:
The exposure triangle is made of: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. In order to achieve a good exposure we need to pay attention to all those three. When we make adjustments to one of them, we then need to make adjustments to at least one of the others.
Aperture:
The aperture represents the diameter of the hole inside the lens and it controls how much light enters the lens. When the opening is bigger, it is more light and when it is smaller, it is less light. A change in the aperture has an effect on the depth of field as well.
The Aperture controls the amount of the scene that will appear sharp in an image
ISO:
ISO controls the sesitivity of camera's sensor. For example, when we double ISO speed, we also double the brightness of the image. However, high ISO settings make “noisy” images .
Shutter Speed:
Shutter speed represents how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light and plays a major role in the appearance of motion in the photo. When the shutter speed is longer, it creates more light and when it is faster, it creates less light.
Shutter Speed and Movement:
As shutter speed increases, motion blur decreases. Therefore, in order to avoid blur the shutter speed needs to match the speed of what we are shooting.
As an exercise, in order to practice camera movements, I created a short video of me making hot chocolate. I used my phone and then I used AfterEffects to edit.
WEEK 3
This week, we learned about forced perspective and about how can we generate ideas. Our task was to create a scenario for a child's dream sequence and write a brief script or narrative outline focusing on action. I wrote a short fantasy about a son and his father who got stuck in a magic desert.
Child's dream sequence
Tony and his father, Dave, wake up in a desert, in the middle of nowhere. It is afternoon and they are on a dusty, desert road. They got stuck there because their city broke down due to a huge explosion. The car is broken, so the father decides to wait until tomorrow before walking to the nearest service station. In order to comfort his son, before going to sleep, Dave tells him an old story about how deserts used to be once sea floors with a lot of joyful, but sly creatures.
Both of them wake up in the middle of the night and see a strange fish swimming in the air, around their car. It was one of the ghosts of the prehistoric seafloor. The father holds back from getting allured by the magic of the fish, but he sees Tony how he undresses and tries to follow it. Dave shouts for Tony, who seems to be hypnotized, to come back. Going after the fish, the boy arrives on the edge of a cliff, he falls but starts floating around.
The magic atmosphere is interrupted by a big, red shark who is heading right for Tony. Despite the old man's calls of danger, the young man stays ignorant. The shark rips Tony’s leg apart and his blood floats in the air. Dave knows he can’t go there and save his child, otherwise. he would be allured by the sea creatures exactly like Tony. He decides to catch the first little fish by creating a fishing rod. With his eyes closed, Dave manages to catch and eat the fish and he now, as the old story says, he has the power to go after his son and save him. Dave floats around while fighting with the big shark, but doesn’t seem to win.
However, as the sun rises, every creature begins to disappear. The father and his son walk to the nearest service station, telling everyone they see on the road what happened. Despite Tony’s injures, nobody seems to believe them.
Below it is an example of a part of a script:
My experiments with photography:
The last photo I took it a month ago, when I was home, in Romania.
Forced perspective
Forced perspective is a technique which employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. It manipulates human visual perception.
WEEK 4
Photo-Stories
If we read the photo-serie above from right to left, we see 2 men walking down an alley and there is a point in the middle where they are together. One is looking at the other and something is ,obviously, there
They walk away and in the last frame, the first guy looks back and that creates the circle of encounter.
In this set is communicated what's the point of that encounter and that's up to the viewer to deceide.
They walk towards one another, cross, but there's something geater than the sum of that and as far as I'm concerned, that's the point of this image sequence..
Using a shooting plan
This week we explored the steps of making a shooting plan:
1 write down the characters and the setting
2.start drawing from a bird's eye view
3.place where the cameras are going to be and establish the lighting source
Next, we need to sketch where the characters are going to go by making the shots. After drawing, we make the frame.
In this lesson, as an excercise I created a scenario and a shooting plan:
-Characters : a robot and a baby
-Environment: post-apocalyptic city
-Lights: natural light
-Asstes: a blanket and a car
-Camera positions and movements: A. a tilt
B. close-up shot
C. long shot
I, then, made a shooting plan for Elias's idea:
-Characters : a cat and a fish
-Environment: Living room
-Lights: lights from the table, the one inside of the fishbowl and the one above from the ceiling in the living room.
-Camera positions and movements: 3 cameras, one behind the cat, the second inside of the fishbowl behind the fish and the third above of them.
WEEK 5
This week, for our first task we shared images on Blackboard and build our own 12 shot storyboard by choosing a range of shots. For the second task, I uploaded a large format image and did the same task.
Finally, we swapped our images with each other.
8. 9.
1.Medium shot of the main character looking at someone elsse
2.Medium close-up shot of the boy looking at the main character
3.Medium shot of a character who is sleeping
4.Close-up shot of an angry character from the crowd
5.Pan of a cat in the crowd
6.Pan of the crowd, everyone is doing different things
7.Pan of the boy and girl looking at each other, while she is waving at someone else
8.Tilt of someone holding a foot
9.Tilt of a character caught by a snake
10.Medium shot of a head of an animal and kids
11.Medium shot of 2 tigers
12.Tilt of the main character waving at someone
1. Medium Close-up shot of a microphone and a carpet
2. close-up shot of a female smiling
3.Pan of someone from the crowd looking at a baby
4.Pan of athe crowd
5.Pan of a music box
6.Long shot of the baloon
7.Close-up shot of a man in the crowd
8.Close-up shot of a man in the crowd
9.. Tilt of2 people talking while someone is admiring the baby
2. Tilt of 2 people in the crowd
3.Pan of someone from the crowd looking at a baby
11.Tilt of the microphone
1. Close-up shot of someone who died probably
2. close-up shot of a female
3. close-up shot of a character from the crowd
4.Medium shot of a character standing on his knees looking at a female
5.Pan of someone who died
6.Pan of the crowd
7.Pan of a female holding a flag
8.Tilt of a man holding a gun
9.Tilt of someone who died probably
10 Tilt of a child holding a gun
11 Tilt of a woman holding a gun
WEEK 6
This week, we learned about the Kuleshov Effects. In order to create the juxtapose effect, I uploaded some images from internet and put them together to create different emotions. Then, I made a short video.
Lust
Fear
Admiration
Love
Irritation, getting in trouble
Surprise
ASSIGNMENT ONE
Photographic Storyboard
For the first assignment, I followed the brief 'Your own path'. I used two quotes as an inspiration: 'Never, no, never did nature say one thing and wisdom another' by Edmund Burke and 'Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.' Then, based on these quotes, I created a story. I love these quotes because I believe that in the hectic pace of life, we sometimes need to take a break and rediscover our zest for adventure and who can help us better than nature?
In my photographic storyboard, I wanted to communicate that the way to happiness is not always sacrificing short-term pleasure for future gains. A "to-do list" we'll never complete will create more stress rather than greater happiness and it's not good to be stuck in a life of "should".
My story involves only one character, a young lady, whose main personality trait is being workaholic. Even in her free day, she suddenly decides to take the laptop with her and work in the park. However, nothing works as planned and the photographs I took depict how nature is telling her to take a break and enjoy life. For example, the wind is blowing her papers and children are too noisy. The young lady doesn't seem to understand the signs, until she sees all her work destroyed out of anger. She goes through a roller coaster of emotions, but, finally she learns how to enjoy her life and she perceives nature and people around her in a better way.
Before taking the pictures, I made a shooting plan and I highly believe that this saved a lot of time in the day of photoshoot.
The camera I used is a Canon Eos 800D. The setting includes my kitchen and Walpole Park. Even though I changed the settings on the camera manually when taking the pictures, I decided to edit them just a little bit in Lightroom, where I adjusted the saturation, tint and vibrance.
I took a lot of close-ups of the character to outline how she sees nature and people around her in the beginning and how she sees them after she comes to the realization that she may have a good time too.
For the photo shown above, I tried do avoid blur as much as I could so I increased the shutter speed. The rest of the pictures which show movement I made with the help of my friend who throw the papers in the air and I tried to capture them.
I took some photos which show shallow depth of field in order to focus on the character's emotions.
I must admit that it's more complicated than I thought to take photos in park, especially if you want to photograph people, because you should ask them before and explain them why do you want to do this, but it was fun :)
As a reflect on my own progress, I am happy with my result, but now I believe that I should have explored more camera angles when shooting to make the story more visually engaging, even though the photos I took depict the storyline as I wanted to. In the future, I should probably concentrate more on the photographic part.
The Voice Of Nature
Preparation for week 8
For week 8 we had to choose 3 artists and designers that inspire us and present them, as well as make copies or transcriptions of their work.
Andy Ristaino:
Andy Ristaino is an American artist who is best known for being a former lead character designer, writer, storyboard and background artist on the animated television series Adventure Time. He was awarded an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in character design.
Lisa Hanawalt:
Lisa Hanawalt (born June 19, 1983) is an American illustrator, writer, and cartoonist. She has published comic series, as well as three books of illustrations. She worked as the production designer and a producer of the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman.
Paul Azaceta:
Paul Azaceta is a New Jersey-based artist with a simple but bold style. His past work includes Daredevil, Spider-Man, Punisher Noir, and B.P.R.D. 1946. He also co-created Graveyard of Empires for Image Comics with Mark Sable and is currently working on OUTCAST.
My copies and transcriptions:
Week 8
In order to support our current project, this week we talked about the principles of animation.
Frame rate:
The frame rate means how many images/frames are shown in playback at normal speed and it's normally 24 frames per second (24fps).
Shooting 'in 1s' -> 1 image per frame at 24fps
'in 2s'-> 1 image for every 2 frames (12fps)
'in 3s'-> 1 image for every 3frames (8fps)
Our task for today was to make a short animation using our smartphones. I used IMotion and made an owl.
Week 9
I found this lecture really useful because we were given tutorial slots to discuss our work so far.
Reflective/Critical Analysis
WWW(What Went Well..)
-I, now, have a wider understanding of Photography and framing, composition, camera settings
-I did a lot of research and now I discovered more people who can be a source of inspiration for me
EBI(EVEN BETTER IF...)
-I should have spent more time to come up with new ideas
- I need to experiment more and not to be afraid of making mistakes.
Story Breakdown for my short animated piece:
My animated piece will present 2 characters: a man and a woman who are in a relationship.
However, one can not love another person, if he can't love himself first and that's why their relationship can't flourish.
My animation will be an experimental one, so the message will not be delivered straightforward. The meaning of it is up to the viewer.
The characters will be represented by 2 cubes. Two hands hitting the table, where the cubes are, will suggest the difficulties that we all have in our lives and how they affect us. Therefore, when they will hit the table, while the woman manage to stand still, the man is shattered. The fact that he falls apart will be suggested by more cubes which will present his heart, brain, kidney etc.
Anxious that he can't cope with his problems as his partner does, he runs away.
Here, it will be a series of digital drawings, which will depict him running and throwing his heart away.
However, his partner will try to support him and help him healing. The man learns that it's okay to accept help and to embrace his feelings.
So, they become closer as their love grows. Finally, when the hands kick the table again, they remain together.
Week 10
This week, we used some sample scripts in order to work on a storyboard. The movies were Aliens, Let me in, Forrest Gump, Boogie Nights. I chose Boogie Nights.
This week we have also learnt about NOTAN.
Notan Film Stills:
Notan is a Japanese design concept which involves the play and placement of contrasting light and dark elements as they are placed next to one another in a visual composition.
Our task was to choose a selection of film stills from a live-action or animated piece based on what we believe to be successful compositions, shots or frames.
At the Photography Workshop, we experimented using different lights and adding new objects to the scene and here is the final outcome:
Week 11
Thinking Ahead
Specific
What is it exactly you will be doing; how long will it be; in what format will it be presented; what is it you want to achieve exactly?
My stop-motion animation will involve a series of digital drawings and some cubes made out of paper, using a green screen. The story will be about a relationship and about accepting help from others. The animation will be one minute long. What I want to achieve is an experimental animation, where the meaning is up to the viewer.
Measurable
What will your success criteria be;How will you measure its success?
First of all, I measure the success with regard to my feelings, because I need to be satisfied and proud with my final outcome. Then, it will be a positive review from my colleagues and teacher.
Achievable
Will you actually be able to do what it is you are planning with the equipment, skills, time and other constraints you may have?
Yes, I will, because one day per week I will go to uni to shoot the first part of my stop-motion animation using the green screen. Then, for the second part, the digital drawings, I will work from home. I will also use the equipment from university.
Realistic
Is the execution realistic?
I know from my experience that I may end up not using many of the pictures I take, that's why I usually take more pictures than my plan says.
Timebound
How much time do you have to do this in? When is the deadline? When will you be able to factor in working on this project?
The deadline is 4th of June and this should be fine for me because it will take me one day to design the faces of the cubes in Photoshop, to print them and to make the cubes out of paper. Then, I will spend 2 days shooting in 12fps. For 3-4 days maybe, I will work on the digital drawings to make them look good. Finally, I should edit everything using After Effects in one day.
Week 13
Tutorials and Refining Ideas
I found the images below on Internet and I will used them as a model for the scene where the main character from my stop-motion animation is running.
I have also been thinking about a clear structure of my animation.
First, the viewers will see the 2 cubes on a table and then it will be the scene where the hands are kicking the table and the man is shattered. After that, I will continue with the digital drawings, which will depict the man who is running to throw his heart away, but, who, eventually, will accept the help of his partner and see how their relationship flourish again. Finally, I will present again the cubes and the hands hitting the table, but at this time, both of the characters remain still.
Week 14
Tutorials and Student-led tasks
Self-Directed, Student-led tasks
3. Identify 3 areas that are successful and where you are working well. Why are you achieving well here and how can you build on this?
The first area that is working well is the storyline. This time, I was really creative and that's because when I was thinking about a story, I did it without asking myself what other people will think about my ideas. Another area that is working well, is the structure of my animation. I am satisfied with the fact that my animation is kind of a combination between old school and modern. Finally, the time management is working pretty good too. I managed to make a clear plan and to really stick to it.
2. Identify 2 areas where you believe you need to improve. What do you need to achieve your objectives and what are your own success criteria?
I need to focus more on camera angles and movements, because I think that this will make my animation more visually engaging. Another area I believe I need to improve involves the digital drawings. I enjoy drawing, but I don't consider myself good at it so, I should probably spend put more time and effort into this. My success criteria involves my thoughts and feelings about my work, and then the thoughts and feelings of the viewers.
1.Identify 1 question that you may still have that you need answering regarding your own work and development with the project.
The question that I need answering regarding my work and the development with the project is: Is my project engaging enough? I think that the only insecurity I have regarding my work is not to create something which is dull. I've been always very selective about the films or TV shows that I watch because I get bored easily, therefore I strive to create something engaging.
ASSIGNMENT 3
Stop-motion animation
I used 18 cubes made out of paper and chose a green background in order to composite and make the animation more visually engaging. I animated in 2s (in-twos), as because it made things a lot more manageable as I shot 12 frames per second.
I used 18 cubes made out of paper and chose a green background in order to composite and make the animation more visually engaging.
Basic questions for my animation:
What is the story about?
The story of my animation is about helping people. When we become aware of someone's sorrow, we learn to love them. My story presents a couple who couldn't connect to the fullest potential, until both of them learnt how to overcome their inner conflicts.
Who are the characters?
The characters are a woman and a man who are in a relationship.
In each scene what do they do or say?
In each scene, their goal is to connect to one another. As the man is thinking that he can't get over the fear of commitment and he should run away, he finds out that self-sabotaging is not the answer and that accepting people's help may be the best option at some point.
In each scene which are the characters in the foreground, middle-ground or background?
The man is in the foreground only when he runs away, in the rest of the time both of them are in the foreground.
In each scene, with whom are they in conflict?
The man has an inner conflict.
In each scene, where does the conflict take place?
The conflict is not an exterior one.
In each scene, what intensity is demanded?
The highest intensity takes place when the man is falling apart and runs away. However, it is also a high intensity when the two of them are back together and stronger.
What should be the main light sources, for both interior and exterior?
When shooting, I used 2 light sources on each side of the camera, 45 degrees between being a straight on light source and a side light, 2 reflector panels and a key light.
In each scene, when are long, medium and close-up shots necessary?
In most of the scenes, I used medium shots because they help at demonstrating the storyline. The close-up shots highlight the feelings and the moods of the characters.
What kind of reflectors, filters, gels etc. are called for to create the mood?
For the first scenes, bright colors and warm tones are dominating. When the man falls apart, we first see himself shattered and this is symbolised by the black colors which now surround him. In the final scene, the viewer can see a change in our character and his perspective of life is now filled with light and powerful colors like blue, red and green.
What colours dominate?
The colors which dominate are blue and pink.
What I used for my inspiration when making the digital drawings...
