omputer animation project (2014-2015) emilis · pdf file3.make damage more prominent ......

COMPUTER ANIMATION PROJECT (2014-2015) EMILIS BALTRUSAITIS M2075878

OVERVIEW / GOALS

The aim of my project is to create a

portfolio of work showing off a variety

of skills that will help me find a job in

the VFX industry after leaving university.

I am doing this by producing a series of

diverse, high quality matte paintings,

along with supporting concept art that

I am using both as a starting point, as

well as reference down the line.

Despite ‘Matte Painting’ and ‘Concept

Art’ being particularly difficult

professions for a beginner such as

myself to get a job in, I chose to focus

my assignment on them out of passion

for the subject. Having said that, I am

ensuring that I include various other

useful and essential VFX skills in my

project in order to increase my

employability after university.


PART 1 / INTRO

Simple projection of a still

photograph onto matched

3D elements to create

camera movement and

parallax.

Suggested to me by an

industry professional Nick

Marshall, as a basic and

essential matte painting skill

that many graduates

overlook.

CHOSEN PLATE IMAGE


PART 1 / INSPIRATIONBefore beginning work on this matte

painting, I looked at and took into

consideration similar work produced by

both industry professionals such as

Marco Iozzi, as well as successful

beginners only a few years ahead of

me in their careers, including Gaëlle

Seguillon and Zal Empty. I used a

camera projection tutorial by Josh Parks

as not only inspiration, but also a starting

point for learning Nuke.

I also drew inspiration from Method VFX

studio’s work on ‘Girl With the Dragon

Tattoo’, where they implemented

numerous atmospheric effects in order

to bring a winter scene to life,

“The final composite was done … in

Nuke, with one of the greatest

challenges being to bury the

environment in snow without losing

detail and realism.”

– Sean Andrew Faden, VFX Supervisor

GAELLE SEGUILLON

ZAL EMPTY

JOSH PARKS

METHOD VFX – ‘GIRL WITH A DRAGON TATTOO’


VIDEO LINK –

https://www.youtube.com/user/black0ut76/videos

PART 1 / RESEARCH

I have taken my own reference pictures

of dense fog and its behaviour and

effect on the appearance of an urban

environment – these proved particularly

useful when I needed to bring out and

push back layers of my matte painting

for more striking cinematic effect.

I used Google Earth and Maps in order

to accurately measure the distances

between the numerous buildings in the

photo.


PART 1 / TECHNIQUES

I used Timur Khodzhaev’s ‘fakeVolume’

tool in order to create the fog. It is not

truly volumetric because the toolset

simply works with a large number of

arrayed planes as opposed to 3D

particles.

Additional fog was created using Tomas

Lefebvre’s ‘TX_Fog’ tool.


RENDERING OF FOG FROM MY WORK

VIDEO LINK –


PART 1 / MAKING OFI planned to replace the foreground

elements with partial 3D models, however

after evaluating the amount of time I had,

as well as my own current skill I decided to

postpone that task until a later time in the

project.


PART 1 / BREAKDOWN

Plate

Photoshop End result

Nuke End result


VIDEO LINK –


PART 1 / FINAL RESULTI’ve gathered and taken into

consideration feedback from my peers,

lecturers and industry professionals. I

plan to implement it during the time

period I’ve specifically scheduled for

critique implementation.

CRITIQUE

1.Improve snow / fire realism.

2.Green screen people on rooftop?

3.Make damage more prominent

4.Matchmove Camera to add shake.

5.Improve the snow on the street below.

Nick Marshall –

“The snow looks a bit large scale at the

moment which makes the city seem a

bit miniature and you don't want the fx

to draw attention away from the

environment work for the wrong

reasons.”

Jacek Pilarski –

“I'd add more geo on FG rooftops of

the buildings to create even more

parallax (especially the left one).”

“I think centre building is too red and

overall texture too repetitive. Creating

hole through whole building would

create a really nice effect.”


VIDEO LINK –


PART 2 / INTROTake a short video clip of an

environment and extend the

set/scenery in a believable manner

where nothing seems out of place at a

cursory glance.

INSPIRATIONThe multitude of shots in movies and TV

where people do not even realize that

there is any CG involved at all. This

includes many of the sets in Walking

Dead, 24 and if you can ignore the

fantasy setting, even Game of Thrones.

RESEARCHI began studying camera tracking, as it

is the first task that needs to be

completed for this matte painting – if it is

not done well, none of the other work

on the shot will matter. I am currently

using “Matchmoving: the invisible art of

camera tracking” by Tim Dobbert as a

guide.


PART 2 / PROGRESSI spent several days searching, as well

as trying to capture the perfect

footage for what I want to achieve.

Having loaned out a Black Magic

camera, I went to several spots in

Middlesbrough which I thought had

some potential, however I eventually

decided to use a royalty free stock

footage clip downloaded from

www.pond5.com. My eventual

choice came down to very specific

aspects that I was looking for in a

shot, such as a simple camera

movement, angle that allows for

parallax to be seen, as well as basic

visual appeal.

I’ve considered Nuke and Boujou for

the 3D tracking. I have more

experience in Boujou, but I want to

learn Nuke to a higher standard than

what I know now.


VIDEO LINK –


PART 2 / PROGRESS

MARCO IOZZILIGHT REMOVAL


VIDEO LINK –


VIDEO LINK –


PART 3 / INTROTake footage of an interior

location and extend it

seamlessly.

RESEARCH“The detail captured on set

using photogrammetry was

used to generate textured

models, which were laid out

in a Maya scene. A lighting

rig, replicating a

continuation of the set

lighting, was also created.”

- Jon Neill, VFX Supervisor,

The Monuments Men


MOODBOARD

PART 3 / PROGRESSI have not yet started work on this

matte painting, apart from basic

research and resource gathering.

I am currently considering shooting

footage for this matte painting in the

Stephenson building of Teesside

University, however I am still searching

for possible better locations. Currently

these also include:

• MIMA Museum

• Cleveland Shopping Centre

• Newcastle Train Station

• Teesside University Library

• OL1 Lecture Theatre


PART 4 / INTROCreate a fully digital matte

painting that is stitched

together from numerous

photos, as well as matched

foreground 3D models.

Produce several separate

pieces of concept art to

show possible avenues for

the final matte painting.

Also create concept art for

a space ship which will be

modelled externally.

INSPIRATION


MOODBOARDS

Levi Hopkins –

“The possibilities are limitless

as to what direction you

can take your fantasy

environment… This can be

a double-edged sword,

with anxiety setting in if you

have no clear direction.”

PART 4 / ENVIRONMENT

I have decided to wait until after

Christmas before I begin work on this

matte painting in order to allow my own

skills and expertise to grow, as this will

undoubtedly be the most difficult piece

of my project. The additional time will

also allow me to conduct further

research into different avenues of

approach.

PERSONAL

DEVELOPMENT

Considering the amount of inspirational

images I gathered, I decided to quickly

put together several speed paintings in

order to see what different and unique

ideas I could come up with. I mainly

focused on industrial scenes with a

juxtaposition between nature and

futuristic architecture. I tried to keep in

mind having a spaceship flying through

the scene in terms of composition and

overall design.


MY WORK

Thom Tenery–

“The initial photo-

bashing process

can look

extremely messy.

I’ll often have

dozens of photo

fragments at a

dozen different

scales, all with

slightly different

colour attributes

and all

superimposed in

an ugly little

collage.”

PART 4 / SPACESHIPI have developed concept art for the spaceship that flies

through the scene. I first came up with a series of thumbnails

from which the external modeller chose their favourite. I then

developed this into a full concept, starting by creating a rough

3D model and fully fleshing it out in Photoshop, adjusting it

according to feedback in the process. It is likely that during the

external 3D modelling phase, the spacecraft design might

change somewhat more in order to better work with rigging,

etc.


MY WORK

SCHEDULE / PLANNING


• Done more than expected for Part 1

• Learning 3D Tracking in Nuke not taking as

long as expected

• Spent longer than expected on Part 4

Concept Art

• Decided there was no reason for producing

storyboards for Part 4 due to creating a Pre-

vis.

• Already gathered a lot of the resources for

Part 4 that I planned to get during

Christmas holidays.

• Slightly behind, however not worried as I

have left a lot of time spare during

Christmas and at the end of the project.

• Assigned too little time to some things, too

much to others.

REFERENCES


Empty, Z. (2013) Camera Projection in Nuke – Zal Empty, Available At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QxUkMqpids [Accessed:

04/12/14]

Feng Zhu (2014) Feng Zhu Design School Available At: https://www.youtube.com/user/FZDSCHOOL [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Griggs, M. (2013, Christmas). Build Convincing Landscapes. 3D World, (176), p. 70

Gurney, J. (2010) Colour and Light, Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC

Iozzi, M. (2014) Digital Environments Making Of, Available At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRoj0hJfosU [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Moody, H. (2014) The Walking Dead - Visual Effects Breakdown, Available At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK73bCuJXc8 [Accessed:

04/12/14]

Jung, W. (2013, January). Learn to Recreate Cinematic Lighting. ImagineFX, (91)

Seguillon, G. (2013) Showreel 2013, Available At: http://vimeo.com/68732607 [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Stoski, C. (2009) ‘Chris Stoski: The Artist’. In: Wade, D. d’Artiste Digital Artists Master Class: Matte Painting Australia: Ballistic Publishing, 136

Stoski, C. (2009) ‘Tutorial One: Coruscant’. In: Wade, D. d’Artiste Digital Artists Master Class: Matte Painting Australia: Ballistic Publishing, 140

Frei, V. Art of VFX (2012) [Online] Available from: http://www.artofvfx.com/?p=2166 [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Parks, J. Tuts+ (2014) [Online] Available from: http://cgi.tutsplus.com/tutorials/create-an-atmospheric-snow-shot-in-nuke-and-maya--cms-

19804 [Accessed: 04/12/14]

REFERENCES


Pond 5 (2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/43418193/transsiberian-railway-krasnoyarsk-suburban.html

[Accessed: 04/12/14]

Pond 5 (2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/38378671/hong-kong-harbour-dusk-arriving-boat.html

[Accessed: 04/12/14]

Pond 5 (2014) [Online] Available from: https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/36280381/port-piraeus-greece.html [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Hopkins, L. (2013, November). Depict a Grand Fantasy Scene. ImagineFX, (100)

Tenery, T. (2012, September). Illustrate an Epic Environment. ImagineFX, (86)

Bradley, N. (2013, January). Paint an Epic World. ImagineFX, (91)

Google Earth (2014) [Online] Available from: http://maps.google.com

Khodzhaev, T. Chimuru - FakeVolume (2013) [Online] Available from: http://chimuru.com/?page_id=324

Lefebvre, T. Nukepedia – TX_Fog (2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.nukepedia.com/gizmos/3d/tx_fog

Stargate Studios (2010) 24 Demo Reel, Available At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh7vJ4g3Z5o [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Frei, V. Art of VFX (2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.artofvfx.com/?p=6462 [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Dobbert, T. (2012) Matchmoving: The Invisible Art of Camera Tracking, Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley

REFERENCES


Iozzi, M. (2014) Budweiser Blackout, Available At: http://vimeo.com/86009857 [Accessed: 04/12/14]

Blogspot (2012) [Online] Available from: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Skc_MiFdts0/TBzKQr0C8zI/AAAAAAAAA9U/h4a8u_65_64/s1600/

Raiders_Of_The_Lost_Ark_Government_Warehouse2.jpg

MOODBOARDSPart 3:

http://transworldexpedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/R_bars.jpg

http://www.joeyredmond.com/blog/img/shinjuku_alley.jpg

http://www.wallartrockers.com//artwork/KingTongCargo//1/XXL.jpg

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/325/4/6/burkeroom_deus_ex_3_dlc_by_gryphart-d4guy8z.jpg

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/243/1/5/capsule_hotel_agora_dxhr_by_gryphart-d48hf2s.jpg

http://underthehollywoodsign.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/blade_runner1.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/10755933294_7c3bc51c65.jpg

http://mittmac.deviantart.com/art/Asian-alley-176634572

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/139411003_a0c42a257c_b.jpg

http://tng.trekcore.com/bluray/images/okudasint_borgcube_hd.jpg

http://www.wallartrockers.com//artwork/KingTongCargo//1/XXL.jpg

Part 4:

http://img.4plebs.org/boards/tg/image/1401/19/1401190294685.jpg

http://dxthpu4318olx.cloudfront.net/assets/images/images/000/090/664/large/the_behemoth.jpg?1398534949

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/299/7/a/aurelie_intervention_class_by_raybender-d31juzl.jpg

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/304/4/5/20121031_by_porxys-d5jlqqm.jpg

REFERENCES


MOODBOARDSPart 4:

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/304/4/5/20121031_by_porxys-d5jlqqm.jpg

https://cdn.evbuc.com/eventlogos/1852587/valkyriehangar.jpg

http://cdn.shazoo.ru/51032_MEvF09mhQC_809_max.jpg

http://vfxartportal.com/tpl/uploads/Arrival_HD_bastien_grivet.jpg

http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/264/e/5/new_atlantis_by_grivetart-d7zz7ux.jpg

http://cs625716.vk.me/v625716409/a4cf/wVJFl1BiCnU.jpg

http://www.videogamesartwork.com/sites/default/files/images/blog/Bullet_Bros_Concept_Art_Resupply.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nJHtWbsH2S4/U6GGykHSdhI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/eBOMxX05d_E/w1201-h2000/concentration_city.jpg

http://d13pix9kaak6wt.cloudfront.net/background/users/t/s/y/tsydae_1404755601_12.jpg

http://k32.kn3.net/taringa/3/A/5/9/F/0/ElLozada/A84.jpg

http://digitalart.io/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/emanshiu-district-13.jpg

http://www.conceptroot.com/concept_art_images/thumbnail_1382137472.jpg

http://wrest.osnova.tv/uploads/posts/2012-04/1334083164_62dca6f120.jpg

http://fengzhudesign.com/blog/fzd_alienships_01.JPG

http://i.imgur.com/SmlD4dr.jpg

http://down.ccgaa.com/dw/attachments/day_140706/14070615188adfef701fa67271.jpg

http://conceptartworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Gerhard_Mozsi_14a.jpg

http://xaxor.com/images/art-by-jan-ditlev-christensen-part2-/art-by-jan-ditlev-christensen-part2-22.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kf7TzaxHO-Q/Uxs6d5XiaSI/AAAAAAAARcw/CiidDw1fQYA/s1600/john+wallin+liberto.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/058/c/3/knightsbridge_sclass_light_frigate_by_hazzard65-d5wfpth.jpg

http://sfw.so/uploads/posts/2010-12/thumbs/1293266989_landingplatform_by_atarts.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzwypniCdf1qh63q9o1_1280.jpg

REFERENCES


MOODBOARDSPart 4:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkuorUSqXP0/UkpHdWvs48I/AAAAAAAA00A/7ZLuWThk06g/s1600/project-77-CA-dark-city-WWW.jpg

https://d2ip58kv7n8yjd.cloudfront.net/p/assets/images/images/000/013/025/large/Reactor5.jpg?1400186258

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/241/6/3/ruined_radar_station_by_taodao-d6k6syj.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/239/f/e/spaceship_by_ghchew-d6jx8ck.jpg

http://dibujando.net/files/fs/p/i/2010/117/spaceship_4281.jpg

http://img15.nnm.me/7/6/4/6/6/9c4ffe8857438d840e226a56d37.jpg

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/284/7/7/tarmac_by_matlatart-d5hi137.jpg

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/2920/starkbuildingview010805.jpg

https://cdn.artstation.rocks/p/assets/images/images/000/173/697/large/themattedept-themattedept-adagio.jpg?1408504928

http://fabiobarretta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/cityheart.jpg

https://cdn.artstation.rocks/p/assets/images/images/000/204/491/large/thomas-pringle-street-ship.jpg?1410659577

http://38.media.tumblr.com/4389ef4ff3358fb56030a7274de0919e/tumblr_n5o27goQ1w1qflgwpo4_1280.jpg

QUESTIONS?


omputer animation project (2014-2015) emilis · pdf file3.make damage more prominent ......

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