I thought I should write a brief entry on my portfolio while I'm waiting for the files to upload to the server.
For the theme, I chose to make it like a music dvd, thus my group projects are called bonus tracks. The beginning and end of each "making of" process also starts with a crowd cheering, and the background image is like a concert stage. The silouettes are from NM2208 Asn1 ;) The lights I added in After Effects. As for the design, I chose to use a montage of screenshots of my assignments. I then did a black and white and inverse-colored version for the back and the inside. I also added a scotch tape behind some text to make it more interesting. I was inspired by the CD design of "My Life Will" by Desert Zhang.
I had some trouble with camstudio though, as it can't work on a mac and I don't have time to learn/download the alternative softwares. Hence I transferred my stuff to my PC and recorded there. However, the AVI files I recorded can't be read on my mac (maybe I didn't check properly, but I couldn't edit them in video softwares, the audio is gone), so I had to convert them to .mov in PC first. Then I realised that the .mov versions from PC don't have visuals in mac. In the end, I exported only the audio from PC and matched them together in AE. Then I exported these and compressed them. Finally, I edited the videos (with the correct audio) and added the background. That is why there are SO many videos in my portfolio folder.
I also had trouble with the DVD menu as there is no trial version of Adobe Encore. I couldn't find alternatives, so in the end I had to use iDVD. Although the software is aesthetically nice, there is less flexibility in creating the menu. Hence my menu is not as user-friendly as I would like it to be. Basically, it doesn't have a "play all" function, and after each video, it will bring the viewer back to the menu. I looked on online forums, they say you'll have to string all the videos together and export that in order to have a "play all" function. However, that will take up too much space if I were to have the individual videos as well. Chapter markers don't work as they mark at a fixed period of time, but my videos are all of different lengths. Maybe I could have explored more and compress the video, but there isn't time. Sorry for the unfriendly interface :(
I tried to keep the theme of my portfolio for the menu though, so I used them same fonts and the highlight button is similar to scotch tape.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Assignment 4
After the failed attempt I thought I should try harder to see if I could film at home, as I don't have time to lug everything to my aunt's house again.
After adjusting the aperture and exposure, I decided to film myself studying in bed. Though I could not place all the items on the bed, the video still works. This is because I decided to change my script a little. Instead of placing all items on the bed, I decided that the cloned "me"s can bring the items from off-screen to show the original me. This action shows the audience what the original me ordered the cloned ones to do.
I also filmed this version in high definition (HD), which is 1280 x 720, so I can edit my close-ups. (By the way I'm using my own camera, olympus pen e-p1, which is much better for photos than videos. I didn't borrow from school as I thought it's less convenient, which was lucky in a way, since it'd be more inconvenient as I had to re-film. The video quality could be better though...)
I filmed in the same order as the previous version. A photo of the scene was taken before I started filming, so that I can use it as background, in case the background of some shots were different. I kept the actions of the original me within the bed, and actions of the cloned ones outside, to ensure that there'll be NO overlap this time. I also didn't have to worry about the placement of the items as they were brought in from off-screen. Even the "reading" (lecture notes) was off-screen when placed on the bed. I changed the television scene to a keyboard one to keep the filming location within my bedroom.
As a precaution, I checked the dream scenes of the video to make sure that they can be edited correctly before continuing with the split screens.
Although the dream scenes were successful, the sky was dark by the time I filmed the split screens. (I started filming in the afternoon, after I came home from school.) Hence I had to alter the brightness/contrast and colors in After Effects (AE). They look a bit unnatural; I hope it's not too obvious since the split screens are just shown for a second or so. I used photos for the second split screen as their quality is much better.
I zoomed in for the close-ups. As the scenes where I rubbed my hands are masked, the clip became too small so I had to use the background photo. When I zoomed in though, the two clips scale up at different speeds. This produces an unintentionally disjointed effect, which I think is nice and it also foreshadows that the events take place in a dream.
I also couldn't frame the shots properly without the clock at the top right corner (I forgot to remove it before filming), so the time is a bit jumbled up for that. However, I didn't cover it with a solid in AE as the process is tedious (there're subtle changes in the lighting of the different scenes). I also thought the clock serves as another foreshadow that the multiple selves are a dream.
After piecing the clips together, I added titles. Since the video is a bit humorous, causal fonts are used, in various font sizes, with icons. I also added light rays as a visual effect during the scene where I rubbed my hands.
After checking that everything fits properly, I exported the video and added music loops in GarageBand. I changed the music for the dream scenes from country to rock. This is to differentiate reality from the dream. I'm glad the pause in the country music loop (for the scenes in reality) synchronizes well with the titles (: The beginning of the dream sequence takes a softer but upbeat music to build up to the rock music at the later scenes. The rock music indicates the happiness of the original me, as well as sets a faster pace to hold the audience members' interest.
Here is my video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmWqAXVgzEo):
After adjusting the aperture and exposure, I decided to film myself studying in bed. Though I could not place all the items on the bed, the video still works. This is because I decided to change my script a little. Instead of placing all items on the bed, I decided that the cloned "me"s can bring the items from off-screen to show the original me. This action shows the audience what the original me ordered the cloned ones to do.
I also filmed this version in high definition (HD), which is 1280 x 720, so I can edit my close-ups. (By the way I'm using my own camera, olympus pen e-p1, which is much better for photos than videos. I didn't borrow from school as I thought it's less convenient, which was lucky in a way, since it'd be more inconvenient as I had to re-film. The video quality could be better though...)
I filmed in the same order as the previous version. A photo of the scene was taken before I started filming, so that I can use it as background, in case the background of some shots were different. I kept the actions of the original me within the bed, and actions of the cloned ones outside, to ensure that there'll be NO overlap this time. I also didn't have to worry about the placement of the items as they were brought in from off-screen. Even the "reading" (lecture notes) was off-screen when placed on the bed. I changed the television scene to a keyboard one to keep the filming location within my bedroom.
As a precaution, I checked the dream scenes of the video to make sure that they can be edited correctly before continuing with the split screens.
Although the dream scenes were successful, the sky was dark by the time I filmed the split screens. (I started filming in the afternoon, after I came home from school.) Hence I had to alter the brightness/contrast and colors in After Effects (AE). They look a bit unnatural; I hope it's not too obvious since the split screens are just shown for a second or so. I used photos for the second split screen as their quality is much better.
I zoomed in for the close-ups. As the scenes where I rubbed my hands are masked, the clip became too small so I had to use the background photo. When I zoomed in though, the two clips scale up at different speeds. This produces an unintentionally disjointed effect, which I think is nice and it also foreshadows that the events take place in a dream.
I also couldn't frame the shots properly without the clock at the top right corner (I forgot to remove it before filming), so the time is a bit jumbled up for that. However, I didn't cover it with a solid in AE as the process is tedious (there're subtle changes in the lighting of the different scenes). I also thought the clock serves as another foreshadow that the multiple selves are a dream.
After piecing the clips together, I added titles. Since the video is a bit humorous, causal fonts are used, in various font sizes, with icons. I also added light rays as a visual effect during the scene where I rubbed my hands.
After checking that everything fits properly, I exported the video and added music loops in GarageBand. I changed the music for the dream scenes from country to rock. This is to differentiate reality from the dream. I'm glad the pause in the country music loop (for the scenes in reality) synchronizes well with the titles (: The beginning of the dream sequence takes a softer but upbeat music to build up to the rock music at the later scenes. The rock music indicates the happiness of the original me, as well as sets a faster pace to hold the audience members' interest.
Here is my video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmWqAXVgzEo):
Yay I finally found how to link videos here :)
Assignment 4 Failed Attempt
I started filming by "scouting" for suitable locations for the superhero assignment. According to my storyboard, I should film myself sitting at a table with a blank wall behind me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a suitable place at home. Most of the walls at home are decorated, the hall is too dark (I turned on ALL the lights in the DAY but half of my face is still covered in shadow), and my "studying desk" in my room is actually a built-in desk facing the window (so it's impossible to place the camera outside the window, in midair o.0).
As a result, I packed my equipment and props (camera, tripod, books/readings, macbook) to my aunt's house to film. There is a nice blank white wall in the hall. I brought along my storyboard, so that I can tick off the scenes I completed, in case I left out anything. Actually, when I got there, I realized it's still a bit dark with the house lights turned on in daytime. I then remembered that I can adjust the aperture and exposure to get a better image. I filmed in standard definition (SD).
Some time was spent framing the shot as I did the whole film myself, including being the camera person, so I had to run back and forth to check the shot.
I filmed the first and last scenes first, since they should be more similar, as both are not part of the dream scenes. I then filmed the scenes with the cloned "me"s first, before the longer scene of the original me. This was because I thought I should film the cloned "me"s removing the items on the table first, so they will be at the same place as they were before the dream. Then I can just edit to add the original me with the empty table. I thought I could just add the items back since I got them in the scenes of the cloned "me"s anyway.
The split screens were filmed last as less precision is needed: they can be cropped as necessary.
I also didn't take the close ups as I thought SD quality is good enough for me to zoom in during post-editing.
It was when I started post-editing that I realized I made a BIG mistake. The scenes with the original me couldn't be edited to fit with the cloned ones! This was because I took the wrong position on the table without the items, so the clips now overlap. I tried editing the mask (I'm using After Effects as I don't have Premier Pro and I'm not familiar with iMovie), and even searched tutorials online for rotoscoping but they all don't work. (Even if they do, it's extremely time-consuming.) The fastest way is probably to re-film.
Other problems I encountered are the SD version is only 640 x 480, smaller than my movie of 720 x 480. Thus my plan for close-ups are gone.
In the end I gave up on editing the video. The failed version will still be uploaded to the server though, if Julian you want to take a look. The version with the number 1 at the back is the final one.
As a result, I packed my equipment and props (camera, tripod, books/readings, macbook) to my aunt's house to film. There is a nice blank white wall in the hall. I brought along my storyboard, so that I can tick off the scenes I completed, in case I left out anything. Actually, when I got there, I realized it's still a bit dark with the house lights turned on in daytime. I then remembered that I can adjust the aperture and exposure to get a better image. I filmed in standard definition (SD).
Some time was spent framing the shot as I did the whole film myself, including being the camera person, so I had to run back and forth to check the shot.
I filmed the first and last scenes first, since they should be more similar, as both are not part of the dream scenes. I then filmed the scenes with the cloned "me"s first, before the longer scene of the original me. This was because I thought I should film the cloned "me"s removing the items on the table first, so they will be at the same place as they were before the dream. Then I can just edit to add the original me with the empty table. I thought I could just add the items back since I got them in the scenes of the cloned "me"s anyway.
The split screens were filmed last as less precision is needed: they can be cropped as necessary.
I also didn't take the close ups as I thought SD quality is good enough for me to zoom in during post-editing.
It was when I started post-editing that I realized I made a BIG mistake. The scenes with the original me couldn't be edited to fit with the cloned ones! This was because I took the wrong position on the table without the items, so the clips now overlap. I tried editing the mask (I'm using After Effects as I don't have Premier Pro and I'm not familiar with iMovie), and even searched tutorials online for rotoscoping but they all don't work. (Even if they do, it's extremely time-consuming.) The fastest way is probably to re-film.
Other problems I encountered are the SD version is only 640 x 480, smaller than my movie of 720 x 480. Thus my plan for close-ups are gone.
In the end I gave up on editing the video. The failed version will still be uploaded to the server though, if Julian you want to take a look. The version with the number 1 at the back is the final one.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Group Project (Production and Post-production)
We spent about a day filming each video, and a few more editing.
CNM is about…
We actually filmed this video first as it was not as time consuming as the first one. We didn't have to change attire, act, and scout for different locations.
The designs for the props were prepared before the actual filming. We each took a part of the video, then drew or typed out the images and words in Illustrator/Photoshop (i.e. I designed “creative”, Sheng designed “analytical” and Rou Fang designed “informative”). We then put up our own sections in the video (creative/analytical/informative), and took down the one before that. We decided to print in school so that we'd have time for feedback on each other’s designs.
The filming of “CNM is about…” took place on a Saturday in a seminar room in SOC. We prepared the props (cutting out the letters CNM, printing and cutting out the designs on paper, etc.) and used blue tack to stick them onto the whiteboard. Before the actual filming, we tried arranging the items on the whiteboard first, to ensure that everything fits into the camera screen. Transparent scotch tape were used as markings, so that we'll know where to place the items for the actual shoot. The pieces of tape proved to be very useful, especially when they could not be seen in the video.
We took turns in the different roles required for filming: cameraman, actor/actress and director. The director wrote down the order in which the items were to be put up or taken down, and gave instructions to the actor/actress. There was no need to rush to put up the items as we were planning to fast-forward the video, so everything went well.
We transferred the first part of the video (me arranging “being creative”) into a laptop to check if it looked alright being fast-forwarded first, before continuing with the rest of the shoot. I thought it was a rather productive day as we managed to finish the video (from pre-production to production) in about 8 hours (11am to 7pm). This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone contributing to the process (:
Rou Fang was in charge of post-production for this video. I thought I might need to compose a track (or rather, piece loops together) for this, but Sheng found a suitable track online so we used that instead. Rou Fang also recorded the voice-over for the video. The narration was added after feedback from our friends that the message of the video is less clear without it.
I was glad to know that Julian didn't think this video looked "forced" (i.e. CNM is creative/analytical/informative because these words happen to have CNM in them) (:
The Many Faces of CNM
We split the filming of this video into two days, so that the scenes of the videographer and reporter were filmed first, while the rest were completed in another. We would have finished filming in a day if not for the change of plans.
Initially, we planned to look for talents, as we thought it would be weird to see the same faces in different roles for the split-screen planned at the end of the video. However, it was difficult to coordinate schedules with our talents, so we decided to tweak our video so that we can rotate the same faces (i.e. the three of us) for the various roles. As a result, instead of promoting what students can be after they graduate from CNM, we changed it to what students want to be at CNM. Since the various roles are what students want to be (i.e. the students are role-playing), the actors/actresses can be the same people trying out the various jobs. (If it was what students can be, then we’ll have to show different people in their various professions.)We also dropped the split-screen and changed it to the three of us giving thumbs-up to CNM, to show that the video was a role-play between three people, and to also avoid the split-screen.
We took turns in the different roles required for filming. Those who were not acting were the cameraman and director. The director coordinates the passing of items, so that it would look natural when we edit the clips.
We dressed differently to portray the different jobs. For example, the videographer was dressed casually, while the advertising sales person was dressed in more formal attire. The video was mainly filmed in the School Of Computing. Locations include tutorial rooms and the Computing Club Room. Since we did not have a lot to lug around (only the video-camera and tripod, as little props were used), the filming process was rather efficient and we didn’t have to spend a lot of time traveling around campus. The only problem we had was finding an empty tutorial room on a Thursday (for the advertising salesperson scene), but we did manage to find one in the end.
Sheng and I worked on the post-production for this video. We split the video, so that Sheng worked on the first part while I edited the part from the games/graphics designer until the end. I had problems with the editing as I realized that the video-camera adjusted the brightness automatically during the advertising sales person scene. Thus I had to fix the problem by automating the brightness and contrast in After Effects. The white balance was also off, so I had to spend time correcting that as well. As a result, the subsequent scenes also had to be corrected (by changing brightness and color) to make the video look more consistent. While I was editing my part of the video, Sheng worked on the freeze screens. Then I compiled everything, and added in the titles, animation, and music. I was glad the free music synchronized with the video without me having to compose one.
Now on to the last video and the portfolio -.-"
CNM is about…
We actually filmed this video first as it was not as time consuming as the first one. We didn't have to change attire, act, and scout for different locations.
The designs for the props were prepared before the actual filming. We each took a part of the video, then drew or typed out the images and words in Illustrator/Photoshop (i.e. I designed “creative”, Sheng designed “analytical” and Rou Fang designed “informative”). We then put up our own sections in the video (creative/analytical/informative), and took down the one before that. We decided to print in school so that we'd have time for feedback on each other’s designs.
The filming of “CNM is about…” took place on a Saturday in a seminar room in SOC. We prepared the props (cutting out the letters CNM, printing and cutting out the designs on paper, etc.) and used blue tack to stick them onto the whiteboard. Before the actual filming, we tried arranging the items on the whiteboard first, to ensure that everything fits into the camera screen. Transparent scotch tape were used as markings, so that we'll know where to place the items for the actual shoot. The pieces of tape proved to be very useful, especially when they could not be seen in the video.
We took turns in the different roles required for filming: cameraman, actor/actress and director. The director wrote down the order in which the items were to be put up or taken down, and gave instructions to the actor/actress. There was no need to rush to put up the items as we were planning to fast-forward the video, so everything went well.
We transferred the first part of the video (me arranging “being creative”) into a laptop to check if it looked alright being fast-forwarded first, before continuing with the rest of the shoot. I thought it was a rather productive day as we managed to finish the video (from pre-production to production) in about 8 hours (11am to 7pm). This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone contributing to the process (:
Rou Fang was in charge of post-production for this video. I thought I might need to compose a track (or rather, piece loops together) for this, but Sheng found a suitable track online so we used that instead. Rou Fang also recorded the voice-over for the video. The narration was added after feedback from our friends that the message of the video is less clear without it.
I was glad to know that Julian didn't think this video looked "forced" (i.e. CNM is creative/analytical/informative because these words happen to have CNM in them) (:
The Many Faces of CNM
We split the filming of this video into two days, so that the scenes of the videographer and reporter were filmed first, while the rest were completed in another. We would have finished filming in a day if not for the change of plans.
Initially, we planned to look for talents, as we thought it would be weird to see the same faces in different roles for the split-screen planned at the end of the video. However, it was difficult to coordinate schedules with our talents, so we decided to tweak our video so that we can rotate the same faces (i.e. the three of us) for the various roles. As a result, instead of promoting what students can be after they graduate from CNM, we changed it to what students want to be at CNM. Since the various roles are what students want to be (i.e. the students are role-playing), the actors/actresses can be the same people trying out the various jobs. (If it was what students can be, then we’ll have to show different people in their various professions.)We also dropped the split-screen and changed it to the three of us giving thumbs-up to CNM, to show that the video was a role-play between three people, and to also avoid the split-screen.
We took turns in the different roles required for filming. Those who were not acting were the cameraman and director. The director coordinates the passing of items, so that it would look natural when we edit the clips.
We dressed differently to portray the different jobs. For example, the videographer was dressed casually, while the advertising sales person was dressed in more formal attire. The video was mainly filmed in the School Of Computing. Locations include tutorial rooms and the Computing Club Room. Since we did not have a lot to lug around (only the video-camera and tripod, as little props were used), the filming process was rather efficient and we didn’t have to spend a lot of time traveling around campus. The only problem we had was finding an empty tutorial room on a Thursday (for the advertising salesperson scene), but we did manage to find one in the end.
Sheng and I worked on the post-production for this video. We split the video, so that Sheng worked on the first part while I edited the part from the games/graphics designer until the end. I had problems with the editing as I realized that the video-camera adjusted the brightness automatically during the advertising sales person scene. Thus I had to fix the problem by automating the brightness and contrast in After Effects. The white balance was also off, so I had to spend time correcting that as well. As a result, the subsequent scenes also had to be corrected (by changing brightness and color) to make the video look more consistent. While I was editing my part of the video, Sheng worked on the freeze screens. Then I compiled everything, and added in the titles, animation, and music. I was glad the free music synchronized with the video without me having to compose one.
Now on to the last video and the portfolio -.-"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)