Students are to set up a "Professional"  Vimeo or YouTube Portfolio Account Task
1. Now students will need to create their vimeo (or Youtube) video channel.  This is where all your videos will be hosted and shared to Behance from.
. Go to www.vimeo.com and select “Join Vimeo,”

3. Complete all your profile using Sisler information..

4. Follow my account on Vimeo.

In this unit we will go over how to import and organize footage in the project window. We will also cover footage properties, creating a new composition and using the playback controls.  We will also cover the basics of rendering your composition. We will also cover helpful render queue tips.  Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model (or models in what collectively could be called a scene file), by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene. The data contained in the scene file is then passed to a rendering program to be processed and output to a digital image or raster graphics image file. The term “rendering” may be by analogy with an “artist’s rendering” of a scene. Though the technical details of rendering methods vary, the general challenges to overcome in producing a 2D image from a 3D representation stored in a scene file are outlined as the graphics pipeline along a rendering device, such as a GPU. A GPU is a purpose-built device able to assist a CPU in performing complex rendering calculations. If a scene is to look relatively realistic and predictable under virtual lighting, the rendering software should solve the rendering equation. The rendering equation doesn’t account for all lighting phenomena, but is a general lighting model for computer-generated imagery. ‘Rendering’ is also used to describe the process of calculating effects in a video editing file to produce final video output.

Create a new VFX Unit folder.  Create a new Activity 1 folder in the VFX Unit folder.  Take notes on the following from "AN INTRO TO SPECIAL EFFECTS" PRESENTATION." (below)  

hints:

- Define Special Effects

- Define Visual Effects

- Define Practical Effects,

- What is chroma-key, green screen, garbage mattes?  What are the differences and similarities?

- Identify 5 practical effects,

Watch the (below) videos and answer these questions in your notes

1.  How does a user import footage in After Effects?
2.  What are “Motion Graphics”?
3.  What is Compositing?
4.  What is Frame Rate?
5.  What is a composition?
6.  Why should you use RAM Preview for playback?
7.  What is adaptive resolution and OpenGL?
8.  Outline the steps required to export compositions

-Learn about Backdrop and lighting setup,
-Directing actors in front chroma key backdrop,
-composing & staging video field for video editing

- Go to http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/Creator and create two diagrams (3 point and 4 point light systems)  Export both images and upload to Google Classroom.

-Student will set up 3-4 point light system,

-Students are to record 5 short scenes (10 seconds long). All the scenes will be demonstrated in class. Clips can be used by groups of 3 students, but must be uploaded to individual sites.

-Each scene must be indetified using the Scene Clapper Board (Date, Director, VFX Unit, Activity name.)

-Make sure to frame up your shots just inside the top and bottom edge of the green screen to maximize your keyed area. This way you can enlarge the clip in post to obtain the desired composition. Adjust the height of the screen and the position of the camera for each of your shots accordingly.         

               - Two people interacting (in front of chroma key backdrop) 

               - One person reacting to an explosion.  The explosion will be in front of them.  (in front of chroma key backdrop)

               - The other has an actor “bee-line” walk from the green screen past the camera.  (in front of chroma key backdrop)

              -  Wide shot of two students walking across the frame, can be done in the hall or the classroom                              (no chroma key backdrop)
              -Students are to take photos of the following:
              - Two different brick walls
              - A posed friend in front of a green screen (all limbs must away from torso)
              - Two background scenes of their choice

- Right click and “Rename” the files as: first name last name_clip1.mov,  first name last name_clip2.mov, first name last name_clip3.mov, first name last name_clip4.mov and first name last name_clip5.mov (native camera file format is fine, do not change to .mov)

- Upload all clips to Activity 2 in our Google Classroom. 

Optional Resource:  Use the screen shots provided here to help you through the process. http://www.ict.sislerhightechnology.com/bmhr3simhr3s/unit-1-special-effects-portfolio/activity-2-vimeo-video-storage​​​​​​​

Digital Video Effects commonly called DVEs, are digital visual effects that provide transitions from one scene to another, rather than making hard cut frame translational changes. DVEs include fading or dissolving frames, wiping from one frame to another, and frame flipping. More complex effects might include morphing, depending on director’s intent.  Many of these effects will be explained in this activity.
DVEs are used in by the broadcast television industry in live production environments like television studios, outside broadcasts or during any other program productions.

1.  Complete the following Basic Training Tutorials using the "Basic Training" files.  You DO NOT need to render these compositions as a file.

2.  Using one (or two) of your chroma-keying video(s), each will be an HD new compositions using the skills developed in the tutorials (outlined below).  The new composition(s) will demonstrate any combination of the 5 effects. You could create one composition with 2 effects and the other with three effects.  Both compositions must demonstrate animating effects using keyframes. (Note: if you want to do all 5 effects in a single clip you may, as long as they all appear long enough to be clearly visible). 

            - a movement and rotation in position and scale,
            - apply a glow effect,
            - apply a colour change,
            - Apply a lens flare,
            - apply blur

2. Export compositions as H.264 format:  firstlastname_activity3.mp4 and firstlastname_activity3part2.mp4 i

3. Upload both finished renders to Activity 2 in our Google Classroom. 

​​​​​​​

Work-files:  
Download and extract work files to your media folder here:
 bt_footage.zip (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE)

In this activity students investigate how adding simple effects to footage and using the effects and presets pallet to find specific plug-ins.  Students will also take a look at popular and commonly used effects.
Keying is a technique for compositing two images or frames together in which a colour (or a small colour range) from one image is removed (or made transparent), revealing another image behind it. This technique is also referred to as colour keying, colour-separation overlay, greenscreen, and bluescreen. It is commonly used for weather forecast broadcasts, wherein the presenter appears to be standing in front of a large map, but in the studio it is actually a large blue or green background. The meteorologist stands in front of a bluescreen, and then different weather maps are added on those parts in the image where the colour is blue. If the meteorologist wears blue clothes, their clothes will become replaced with the background video. This also works for greenscreens, since blue and green are considered the colours least like skin tone

Student Resource:  Here is the brick wall.  You will need to use a background of your choice for the second video clip.

---------------------------
Keying is a technique for compositing two images or frames together in which a colour (or a small colour range) from one image is removed (or made transparent), revealing another image behind it. This technique is also referred to as colour keying, colour-separation overlay, greenscreen, and bluescreen. It is commonly used for weather forecast broadcasts, wherein the presenter appears to be standing in front of a large map, but in the studio it is actually a large blue or green background. The meteorologist stands in front of a bluescreen, and then different weather maps are added on those parts in the image where the colour is blue. If the meteorologist wears blue clothes, their clothes will become replaced with the background video. This also works for greenscreens, since blue and green are considered the colours least like skin tone. 

Student Resource:  Here is an explosion video file (right click and save file to your  VFX Unit folder):  http://www.ict.sislerhightechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/explosion-with-green-screen.mp4

 

Task:

1.    Students will complete the following Basic Training Tutorials using the "Basic Training" files.  You DO NOT need to render these compositions as a file.  

CoPilot Tutorial:  http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/tutorials/07.3d/

CoPilot Tutorial:  http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/tutorials/09.Expressions/

2.    Create three new compositions using at least one (or two) of your chroma-keying video(s).  Each HD new compositions will demonstrate the skills developed in the tutorials (outlined below).  The new video composition(s) will demonstrate the combination outlined below.

Video Composition 1 – 3D

      -apply a different camera,

      -present all your VFX Unit video files in the composition,

      -apply light,

      -cast shadow with a colour,

      -demonstrate focus distance,

      -apply a 3D aware effect

Video Composition 2 – Expression

          -apply an expressions of your choice,

          -the slider control,

          -the rotation value

Export videos as:  firstlastname_activity6_3D.mp4, firstlastname_activity6_Expression1.mp4 and astname_activity6_Expression2.mp4 and upload to Activity 6 in Google Classroom.

      -apply a different camera,
      -present all video files in composition,
      -apply light,
      -cast shadow with a colour,
      -demonstrate focus distance,
      -apply a 3D aware effect

2. Export video as:  firstlastname_activity9.mp4 and upload to Activity 6 in Google Classroom. 

In this two part tutorial we will take a basic to advanced look at creating titles in After Effects. We will also get into powerful camera animation techniques and create a 3D particle system.

Motion graphics are graphics that use video footage and/or animation technology to create the illusion of motion or rotation, and are usually combined with audio for use in multimedia projects. Motion graphics are usually displayed via electronic media technology, but may be displayed via manual powered technology (e.g. thaumatrope, phenakistoscope, stroboscope, zoetrope, praxinoscope, flip book) as well. The term is useful for distinguishing still graphics from graphics with a transforming appearance over time without over-specifying the form.

Intent:

In this activity we will cover the basics of creating Motion Tracking and particles in After Effects. You’ll learn to turn any layer into 3D as well as create 3D lights and cameras. We will also take a look at depth of field and a 3D particle system.

 The term motion graphics originated with video editing in computing, perhaps to keep pace with newer technology. Before computers were widely available, motion graphics were costly and time-consuming, limiting their use to high-budget filmmaking and television production. In the late 1980s to mid-1990s, expensive proprietary graphics systems from British-based Quantel was quite commonplace in many television stations. Quantel workstations such as the Hal, Henry, Harry, Mirage and Paintbox were the broadcast graphics standard of the time. With the reduced cost of producing motion graphics on a computer, the discipline has seen more widespread use. With the availability of desktop programs such as Adobe After Effects, Discreet Combustion, and Apple Motion, motion graphics have become increasingly accessible. Modern character generators (CG) from Aston Broadcast Systems and Chyron Corporation's incorporate motion graphics.

The term "motion graphics" was popularized by Trish and Chris Meyer's book about the use of Adobe After Effects, titled Creating Motion Graphics. This was the beginning of desktop applications which specialized in video production, but were not editing or 3D programs. These new programs collected together special effects, compositing, and color correction toolsets, and primarily came between edit and 3D in the production process. This "in-between" notion of motion graphics and the resulting style of animation is why sometimes it is referred to as 2.5D.

One of the most popular motion graphics tools is a particle system: a motion graphics technology that is used for generating multiple animated elements. This type of animation is commonly referred to as procedural animation. A particle system is available as a plug-in, as a stand-alone application, or is included as an integrated part of a motion graphics package. Particles are points in 3-D or 2-D space that can be represented by a wide variety of station and animated objects such as a ball of light, a video clip, or a selection of text, to name a few. The particles are generated by a particle emitter and can be emitted in small numbers or in the thousands, depending on the project. Among other things, a particle emitter can be in the form of a single point, a line, a grid, a plane or an object such as a box or sphere, although it can also make use a custom object to serve an emitter, such as a logo, which for example, can be exploded, melted, or transformed into blowing sand.   

Task:

Students will need to create 1 example of Motion Graphics in this activity in addition to uploading the practice "Slow in, slow out 

Part 1:

Students are to use the provided work files and follow along with the two video tutorials (below).  Once completed students are to apply the following to their final videos:

            -create one with a logo motion graphic text should be “Your first and last  

             name,”

            -apply text tool,

            -use different font and scale size,

            -use key-frames that demonstrate eased movement (not robotic!)

            -apply different particles to your motion graphics

2. Export videos as:  firstlastname_activity7MoGr1.mp4 and upload to Activity 7 in Google Classroom.

Part 1

1.  Students are to take a picture of someone in the class in a position similar to the monster in the above image or find a character image online (png file format).  

4.  Upload both to Behance.  Now create a Puppet video in Adobe After Effects.  Export videos as:  firstlastname_activity12.mp4 and upload to Activity 8 in Google Classroom.​​​​​​​

Time to bring it all together! For your rich activity you will bring together the skills learned in this unit by creating an original animated studio logo to use in your video projects for the second unit. The animation and design should incorporate imagery that reflects your directorial style including themes /genres that are your core interest. It can also reflect a central mood that reflects you as a director (studio), or simply represent what you love about movies. See the example above for ideas and inspiration.

Use the following guidelines for your composition:

A custom designed logo containing a symbol, image or shape plus text.

Run time: 10 seconds

Composition settings: 1080p @ 30 fps

Export format: H.264

Export settings must match comp settings

     - Key framing with eased velocity 

     - Beveled and extruded text

     - Use of a moving camera

     - Particle effect

     - 3D layers

     - Use of at least 2 lights 

Export your file as firstlastname_richactivity.mp4

Once you have exported your composition, you will import it into Premiere Pro to add in your music. Please be aware of levels and remember to ease in/out of your clip to soften your music if it doesn't conclude on its own. 

-Upload your finished comp to Rich Activity in Google Classroom. 

/ 5    Key framing with eased velocity

/ 5    Use of a moving camera

/ 5    Particle effect

/ 5    Beveled and/or extruded text

/ 5    3D layers

/ 5    Use of at least 2 lights

/10   Overall quality of production, music that fits your theme, smooth animation, attention to detail, render and export settings