THURSDAY, 945 PM -1:00 PM
H123

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SYLLABUS

CLASS 3 9/20/07

In Class Today:
QUIZ on readings
Review and discuss projects; further exploation of animating still images in After Effect; importing sound; intro to 3D spacial properties.

IMPORTANT: When working in Photoshop, don't forget to set the proper PAR (pixel aspect ration) for DV NTSC video. Do this by selecting Image>Pixel Aspect Ratio>D1/NTSC (0.9). Otherwise your images will not be sized properly for video. They will look all stretched out.

In most cases the size of your Photoshop file prepared for NTSC video will be 720x480, 72 ppi pixel resolution. This is standard DV NTSC size. However, if you're selecting and cutting out objects that you intend to move forward through 3D space, you want the files to be a higher resolution than the standard 72 ppi. For example, if you plan on scaling an image of a mouse to 200%, the resolution for the mouse should be at least 144 ppi pixel resolution.

• Click here for a tutorial on importing Photoshop files into After Effects. This is for Photoshop CS3 into AfterEffects CS3. We're using After Effects 7 but you still can follow this tutorial.

Relevant Photoshop Tutorials

• To understand pixel resolution and image resolution, click here
  
• Click here for a tutorial on image resolution
  
• Click here for a tutorial on resizing images in Photoshop (this tutorial is for an old version of Photoshop but for the most part, it still works the same way). It tells you how to resize fo the web but what's relevant to this class is using the Image Size dialog box. Remember that when outputting to video, file size is not as much of an issue as it is for the web.
  
• Beginners, click here to navigate to several tutorials on selecting in Photoshop.
  
• Click here for a link to Back to Basics-Photoshop Selections
• Click here for usefull tips for Photoshop beginners
  
• Click here to review the selection tools
  
• Click here to learn the magnetic lasso tool for selections
  
• Click here for intro to quick masks
  
• Click here for Quick Mask Techniques
  
• Click here to learn how to remove backgrounds from a selection

Homework:
Creative: Expand on last week's homework assignment. Begin to introduce sound into your composition and think about how you can move things. Introduce a little 3D in your space.

Since you have had another week to work on this project, I expect the new file to look more finished then last week. you are expected to spend at least four hours working on this for homewor. IF you have any problems, e-mail me so we can meet to go over your problem and find a solution. Also, if you are less experienced, try to make your composition less complex. This does not mean your work should be any less dynamic than a more experienced student. It means that your idea should still be meaningful and well thought out and composed as well as your level of expertise will allow at this point.

Note that some ideas shown in class were weak and you are primarily being graded on your ability to create a very short story using still images and minimal effects in After Effects. So keep that in mind while you're working on it this week.

CLASS 4
9/28/06

In Class Today:
3D camera and object position: faux dimension, multiplaning, parallax effect; 3D cube tutorial.

Homework:
Reading: In textbook, read pp. 312-319, 334-337, and 326-331.

Task 1: Complete 3D cube tutorial (in the VE CLASS 4 folder and the file is called "3D CUBE TUTORIAL.pdf." Add your own custom treatment to the exercise if you want. Export to mpeg-4 and upload to server using the standard naming convention (for example VE4_cube_BB). If there is more than one piece, use a folder and name it too after the naming convention. Go to VE Class 4 to find the tutorial. It will be in a folder called "3D CUBE HW."

Creative: Create a broadcasting spot (more than 10, less than 40 seconds in duration) that tells a story about some real issue or event. this can be interpreted as historical, scientific, current event, political issue, or special interest. Observe channels such as History, Discovery, National Geographic, etc.

Your idea could be the opening motion graphic for a broadcast about a political issue such as what’s going on now in Burma (Myanmar) or some other country; or it could also be about a local story.

It can videos, still images, newspaper clippings, etc. If you can incorporate some 3D, all the better. You can include text if it works with your design.

Phase 1 is due next week. This includes a storyboard plan, shoot and prepare any still images and/or video you plan on using. Start experimenting in After Effects with at least one element. Try to address issues and/or techniques discussed in class.

CLASS 5
10-4-07

CLASS 6
10/11/07
CANCELLED

CLASS 7
10/18/06

In Class Today:
Green screen tests in TV studio; new green screen tutorial; one on one meetings.

Announcements:
The first week of December we will have a "mini" film festival with the other video classes and we'll be screening your pieces. As such, I expect your work toward the end of the semester to be the highest quality you are capable of producing. Keep this in mind while you work on these projects.

Homework:
Creative Task 1: As a precursor to beginning production on your green screen project, do a short practice piece (5 seconds or less) utilizing one of two video clips in the VE CLASS 7 homework folder: use either "iroberts_green_screen_test.mov" or "Man_ongreen.mov." The clip named "kyle green screen" will be too hard to work with because the camcorder was shaking when filmed.

After performing "surgery" on the subject (a garbage matte and applying the keylight and adjusting the parameters-try the despill bias parameter as per the tutorial you watched in class too), place the subject in an alternative environment. This might be a kid's drawing, a magazine advertisement from the sixties, or a clip from an old film or an old cartoon from the prelinger archives. You can even use part of the old "Chicken" video in VE CLASS 7 on the server if you like. The purpose of this exercise is to use this as a practice piece and to identify the kinds of problems you might encounter when you begin producing the "real" project. This is DUE NEXT WEEK, COMPLETED.

Creative Task 2: Browse through the "3D world tutorial.pdf" in the VE CLASS 7 folder on the server. Check out the environment that was created for this music video and and the guy standing on a green table, and how it all came together in the end. This might give you some ideas for your project.

Creative Task 3: Implement your idea for the green screen project. The project should be approximately on minute in length (although it can be longer if necessary.

Theme guidelines for the green screen project are as follows:

• The piece must tell a story no matter how insignificant the story might be. You can use one of the following ideas for your project as a springboard:
• A short segment form a music video who's purpose is to inform the public, communicate a message, promote an idea, cause, or product.
• A serious or comedic piece that communicates a serious message. If you do this, please try to choose something other than the usual global warming, drunk driving issues. Go with something more creative. Refer to the "adcouncil.org" or "adbusters.org" for ideas, or look at what's in the news or what's happening on campus.
• A short narrative story that educates in some way. It can be something like challenging a scientific belief (refer to something like "Why Man Creates" for some ideas. You can see a short segment on you tube or google video); your story can be like a parable or fable, as long as it has a point.
• Use the green screen for a scene in a film you may be currently working on. If you choose to do this, it still must be submitted on time in this class regardless of the guidelines for the other class. It also must tie in with the basic themes and guidelines in Visual Effects.
• Come up with your own unique idea keeping in mind the points outlined above.

For next week, you must research and collect ALL ASSETS for this project including video clips if you need them, still images, scans, anything.

You can use text, voiceovers, still images, video clips, cartoons, found objects, pieces torn out of magazines or newspapers, anything that you think will help create a dynamic piece. Also, create at your current level of expertise. If you are a designer and not a filmmaker, you may choose to focus more on the DESIGN elements of the piece and vice versa for whatever your interests.

Create the first round of storyboardsfor next week and PLEASE label them correctly. They must include the date, the name of the CLASS project, your WORKING name for the project, the PHASE of the project (this week will be phase 1) and the CLASS number it's affiliated with (this week it's a class 7 assignment).

If you cannot think of an idea and need a plan please e-mail me and I will provide you with more guidance. Do so soon if you don't have an idea.

This is all due next week 10/26/07. If you have questions, please ask me BEFORE next class. If you have problems, make an appointment with me.

CLASS 8
10/25/07

In Class Today: Motion track exercise; lighting basics for green screen; student presentations

Homework:

Task 1: Complete motion track exercise using directions you can download here. Alternately you can find the directions and the source files we used in class today in the Class server in the VE Class 10 folder. Instead of repeating the exercise we did in class, use the "hot air balloon" clip in the Class 10 folder in place of the Library Film clip and create your own graphic in Photoshop (make some small text), size it for DV NTSC, and use this as the objec t that will be tracked instead of the NY Sign 1.

Task 2: New project: Plan a new project. This is going to be a short film (less than 1 minute) that tells a story. The genre can be either sci fi, or you can select your own. Try to use part of a poem, lyrics from a song, or an existing short story. Refer to the following links for inspiration:

http://www.adaagallery.com/winners/winners.php

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/gallery/aftereffects.html

http://www.adobe.com/uk/motion/gallery/

As part of this project, you MUST borrow (or be inspired) by a minimum of one idea or effect from an existing motion graphics piece, title, print, or effect from a film or TV. Along with your storyboards that are due next week, hand in a written description of the effects, ideas, or design you are borrowing, where they are borrowed from and how you incorporated you own individual style into the technique.

By next week, have the storyboards ready, your assets collected, and begin to build the first part of the new piece in After Effects.