Getting into the World of After Effects!

Starting this trimester with some insight into VFX has been exciting! The difference between VFX and SFX are crucial in understanding how your film is going to unfold. This week, we brushed over our skills and knowledge into After effects and learnt how to use the 3D space.

Difference between VFX and SFX

VFX, also known as Visual Effects are those that are done digitally on computer. Anything from CGI elements to green screen to matte painting are considered VFX. It is often confused with Special effects (also known as SFX) which are those that are done practically on set. These include props, explosions, make-up, etc. (Admin, 2015, pp.4-6)

Tips:

During this week, we had some seniors walk in and give us some helpful tips on how to overcome and avoid unnecessary issues. They told us to:

· Get a good film guy - check out his portfolio

· Make a shot list, which is different from storyboards, which will lead you to creating your mock shots

· Do at least 5 shots as tests before trying it out on your final

· SAVE YOUR FILES

· Book equipment 42 hours before your shoot

· Make sure you get your permits as early as possible

· Keep a spare laptop ready on set as you need to transfer your files from an SD card

· Spend some money for food and transport for your actors

· Focus on “Quality over Quantity”

· DO NOT cross contaminate your scenes – have different shots and work on them solo

· Check for timing and weather conditions

· Do a lot of render passes

With the help of this talk, it gave us an insight on how to keep ourselves prepared for the trimester. Hopefully. We are able to use these tips and work more efficiently while also learning from our own mistakes.

Lastly…

WHAT did we learn this week?

We learnt how to create an intriguing opening title sequence in After Effects. We learnt the use of 3D space and how to create cameras. We also delved into stylistic camera options such as aperture and depth of field that enables us to create professional motion graphic videos. More importantly, we learnt how to work independently by learning the basics of the principles so that we may be able to apply it on our own production.

Working around with Depth of field in a 3D work-space in After effects

Test intro sequence done on After effects- a replica of Star Wars intro.

SO WHAT? How would you use the knowledge you learnt?

While researching for ideas as inspiration for our film, we came across this VFX film done by a student at VFS called “Reaching for the Moon”. The opening sequence intrigued me.

With the knowledge we acquired from this tutorial/lesson, it has helped me understand how the opening sequence was done. It used the same principles of the zoom and overlaying of text to create that depth of field. However, it also used a plug in called Trap code that gave the initial globe that distorted effect.

Vancouver Film School (2016, Nov 18) Reaching for the Moon - Vancouver Film School (VFS) [video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw85gmTD7RU

NOW WHAT? Where will you use this knowledge?

Wherever the need may arise, I will use the knowledge of creating cameras and playing around with depth of field to create and enhance focus on our own shots during production. More importantly, we could create stunning intro sequences with the skills learnt this week and I am excited to make use of it for my own work.

Therefore, this is what we have covered for the week apart from researching and building on ideas for our film. We are awaiting approvals for our ideas so that we may progress smoothly through the trimester. Looking forward to a great production this term.

References:

Admin (2015, Oct 1) Difference Between Special VFX and Visual Effect [website]. Retrieved from https://www.animationcoursesahmedabad.com/special-vfx-and-visual-effect/