VR Dreamscape - Technical Problem Solving

As I've been continuing to work on the VR project, I have kept running into more and more issues. I tried one more test using a flat composition which made me realise that it was not going to be possible to achieve what I was thinking of doing using that method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQG2N_Swz8

After some further research, I discovered the VR environment features within After Effects. This consists of a three dimensional composition which is then rendered from 6 angles and merged into a map that can be read and wrapped by YouTube for seamless 360 video.

While this makes better results, it is still very fiddly to work with. I have been struggling to make the scene work as some effects aren't compatible with the VR systems in After Effects. This has caused many stitching issues like you can see below. I used particle world to create the shooting stars, however my first test didn't work well. The 6 sections of the world are visible as the 3D space of the particle generator doesn't seem compatible with VR. This will take further experimentation and problem solving in order to figure out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCMqNppQlYU

 

Production Crate VFX Contest - Card Throw Effect

The website ProductionCrate.com run a monthly visual effects competition, with this month's theme being time ramp effects. I've had an idea to do a card throwing bullet time effect for a while now so this is a good opportunity to do that.

I started by filming footage of Alex pretending to throw a card into an apple. The card already had an apple placed into it. I filmed in 60 fps so that I could slow down the footage a good amount. I moved the camera in a whip pan to the apple so it wouldn't be obvious that the card was already there.

I then worked with the time remapping to accentuate both of these, speeding up the throw and impact, and slowing down the middle section. Doing this adds a greater contrast between the movements.

I ran the 3D camera tracker on the footage to create a 3D scene. This proved a bit tricky as there wasn't enough to track throughout the second half of the shot. I had to manually move the 3D camera for some frames as the tracker couldn't work it out. 

The card was made using a pre-composed solid, this allowed me to go inside the pre-comp to edit the face of the card at will. 

I realised after filming that the card in the apple was the wrong way round. To fix this I had to use MochaAE to track the plane and corner pin the image of the CG card to that tracking data. I wouldn't have had to do this if I had thought about the card more when filming the footage.

The conditions for the competition wanted at least one effect asset from their website to be used in the shot. I attempted to add small puffs of smoke and other semi realistic elements, however they had to be so subtle that they were more or less useless. I instead then made the piece more supernatural, theming the effect of the powers of the superhero Gambit. This let me use many effects from production crate. 

I personally still prefer the more 'realistic' version without any effects, however I am still pretty happy with the Gambit effects. The most satisfying thing for me is the switch when the card slows down. I am really proud of how simple the effect is but also think it looks convincing enough. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wearbkSXmk

Major Project 3- Eye Effect Test

The character in my film has an eye implant giving him a heads up display. Here I've done some tests to experiment with what this element could look like. 

I tried a few different approaches with the design. The first starting from the centre of the eye, the second being a screen coming down over the eyeball and the third loading from the side. 

Of the actual graphics themselves, I prefer the third version as it is similar to where I started going with the HUD graphics themselves. I do really like the idea of the screen coming down over the eyeball, though this is the harder of the three effects because I have to create a very fine mask around the eyeball itself. 

I also want to make sure I have the effect emit a light of sorts, as I like the image of the character having one eye glowing in wide shots.

I will finish developing the aesthetic of this element once I am in production of the actual shots.

Major Project 2 - Starting the HUD graphics

My film requires a heads up display (HUD) effect for multiple shots. This is used to convey information to the audience about the workings of the credit system within the world.


I have worked from many references of heads up displays from games and film 

In 'The Visual Effects of Iron Man' there is a section where they talk about how they created the HUD for the first iron man film. This was very interesting and useful as to how I could create a HUD that felt useful and real. (HUD section starts at 7:30)

https://youtu.be/WUBXmEWudnA?t=450 

I have made an easily editable Photoshop file which will automatically update into AfterEffects. This file can be used as a template for any shot where the HUD is needed. This is just a start on this process, I will be finalising the design when I create it for the actual shots. When doing so, I can also experiment with more animation in the HUD.

VR Dreamscape - 360 Video Project

From the social meetup with students from Leeds College of Music, I have taken on a task for one of my live briefs. The student, Grace is working on an art installation about dreams. She is wanting a VR section to the event.

VR is something that I've not tried before but am excited to have a go at and learn how to do it. It will not be an interactive VR experience, but rather a 360 video to create atmospheric and dreamy imagery. Here are some inspirations I suggested to Grace, which I will be going forward with.







Experimenting with the technicalities of making a 360 video, I did this test. This was done as one flat 16:9 composition with basic solids and imagery from google images, just to play with how to do the effect. 



https://youtu.be/fAld1rKAbT0


Since this is just a flat video, I have had to try to manually make the edges of the screen match up with the other edge. YouTube's 360 video stretches the top and bottom of the image to a point. The main issues with this method is how I can create a seamless transition off one side over onto the other. I will continue to experiment with methods of creating this type of video to see what works best.

Major Project 1 - Drone Moodboard

I made a mood-board of inspirations that I had in mind for the drones in my film. I have now given this to Bach so he can do a final design. I mainly have the Star Wars probe droid in mind when thinking about this film, but I have given Bach many different examples of what it could also be combined from.

Statement of Intent

For my final film I am going to be making a live action film with CG animation composited in. This will be the story of an apocalyptic future in which a wandering survivor must collect points to be allowed access into a Utopian city. These points are gained by hunting and killing futuristic military drones.

There is a western tone to the costume and atmosphere. The character sees the Utopian City on the horizon. He then encounters another survivor to add some conflict for stealing each others points. This gives me some more room to have a character arc as they could end up having to work together to defeat the drones. But the premise is basically an action fight scene between the main character and 3 (probably) drones. There will be a struggle to win, with many different gadgets and weapons used giving me many opportunities for a range of effects.

I am collaborating with others based on their strengths. My girlfriend, Joanna will be creating the costumes for the two characters. Alex will be storyboarding my film. Bach will create the concept art and designs for the drone, and then Dan will model and rig that in Maya. I have a music student from LCOM to do the score. I need to cast two actors for the main two characters.

For live briefs; I have one planned and in the works with another student from LCOM. I am creating a 360 atmospheric animation to work in a google cardboard headset for an art installation about dreams. I am currently experimenting with the logistics of how to get it to work but I think it will be fun and interesting.

I am also planning to do at least 1 D&AD brief, though none have really jumped out at me yet from an initial look through the briefs, I will have to have another look. I will then also find some competitions or something to do effects for.