I-CLONE
Using I-clone would be challenging if I were to try and create the circus set and the hectic action of the crowd and performers. It would certainly not be possible to add all the details I aim to include for the scene, especially under the time restriction for this project. Furthermore, my experience using this software is limited and many elements within it require purchasing, thus the quality of my pre-visualisation wouldn't be of a very high standard. In this respect, I will not be using I-clone, as realistically speaking, I cannot wholly and accurately represent the scenes within my screenplay.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Taking photographs to construct a storyboard is an attractive method for me. However, considering the complex nature of my scenes, I don't think this would be the most appropriate method. It is highly unlikely that I could gain access to an empty circus, or find firefighters, and actors to be involved within the scene. It would certainly be challenging to produce the monstrous faces of the creatures in my opening sequence. Evidently, I will be very limited if I do use photography.
MY CHOSEN METHODS:
DRAWING:
I finally decide to create my pre-visualisation using drawn sketches, which will wholly represent the opening scene of my sequence. With this technique, I have the utmost creative choice of including the set design, props, actors and colours to closely show how I imagine them. This allows me to draw out each complex detail of the scene, in order to most accurately transfer my creative vision, more so than other design methods.
MY APPLICATION:
Before drawing out my scenes, I reviewed my opening nightmare scene in the screenplay, and re-wrote the scene according to the different shots.
1. Track in and pan across a large group of monstrous creatures
2. CU of a young woman
3. ELS of the woman, now we see that she is nude and trapped in a cage
4. ECU of the woman's eyes wondering round
5. Woman's perspective/low angle shot of monstrous performers on trapezes swinging in a backward/forward motion
6. MS of firebreather breathing fire very closely to the woman's face
7. woman's perspective/Eye level shot of the performers brushing against the cage throwing juggling balls at the woman
8. The woman get's dizzy and the atmosphere around her begins to blur
9. A series of shots of the blurry atmosphere
PHOTOSHOP:
After drawing my images, I decided to use Photoshop to make them visually match my vision. I enhanced specific colours, especially red, to create a threatening feel to the atmosphere. The key features I used for this are hue/saturation command, and the selective colour command. I also used the brightness/contrast feature to increase the contrast in the scene. The lighting effect was used to create a spotlight on the woman, she was brighter than other parts of the image. I used the clone tool, to paint more of my image, than I had done in the original paintings. Overall, my work on photoshop helped to make the images more vivid and cinematic, creating the aesthetic I had imagined. Examples of how I have edited the photos are shown below, through a before and after comparison.
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED:
EDITED:
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED:
EDITED:
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED:
EDITED:
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED:
EDITED:
ORIGINAL AND DRAWN:
EDITED:
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED
EDITED
ORIGINAL DRAWN AND PAINTED
EDITED:
AFTER EFFECTS:
After drawing and editing my selected images, I used After Effects to produce a filmic sequence. I first begun by putting the shots into order on the timeline, for the duration I wanted them for. Then I included some special effects. For example, to create the impression that the atmosphere was started to blur from the dizzy woman's perspective, I duplicated the images, changing the opacity for each. Then I moved each image individually, so they weren't in sync with one another, creating motion blur and a disorientating feel.
After effects was also significant to use, as I could effectively incorporate my films's intended camera movement. I have shown this through manipulating the key frames for position and scale.
This programme was also beneficial as I was able to include sound. Even though this was not essential for the 2 minute pre-visualisation, I strongly felt that my images would work in accordance with the music. Throughout my whole film, the interaction between the sound and image is also important, so I wanted to give the audience a feel for my screenplay. I chose an instrumental soundtrack from one of Britney Spear's live performances, for the song Circus. It sounds bizarre, but the track was fitting with the eerie and horrifying atmosphere of the circus. Extra sound effects of crashing symbols were added to enhance the hectic environment.
My final stages within After Effects, was to include the camera and action directions within the shots, so the audience could understand what was going on.
CONCLUSION:
Due to the dramatic visual and sound style of my project, using a combination of drawing, painting, Photoshop and After Effects was advantageous for me, as it enabled me to include maximum detail.
Additionally, I have become more knowledgeable about After Effects and Photoshop, which will help me throughout my academic and professional career.
No comments:
Post a Comment