The Flare Project

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To enhance our understanding about VFX, tracking and compositing, we were tasked to create the flare scene using the footage and tutorial provided. The video below teaches how to make the flare scene, for the project:


Video from Mrs. Fairbrother's Media Blog
To kickstart this project, I read a little bit of history on visual and special effects so that I knew the difference between the two:
VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX)
SPECIAL EFFECTS (SFX)
• They are done in post-production
• Consists of compositing: where two or more layers of footage are combined
• Are technically "real things" e.g. a rigged fire
• They are carried out on set during production
• Not digital

PROBLEMS AND CHANGES
One of the main issues I encountered with this project was that I was unable to install Hit Film 3 Express - the software used to create this scene. However, since the software is similar to one I have already, I decided to create the flare scene in Adobe After Effects as I have used it previously to create my production logo animation. To ensure that the flare moves convincingly in sync with the actor moving the stick, I had to motion track. Since this project did not have a step-by-step guide for Adobe After Effects, I got help from John and he showed me how to composite and layer each of the footage so they appear all at once onscreen. This is one of the tutorials I watched to help me motion track the flame:


Video from YouTube. Alternative link, in case the video does not work.

This is how I created the flare scene using Adobe After Effects:

CONCLUSION
After going through numerous tutorials and several attempts of trying to track the flame for the scene, it still did not want to work. Despite this, this task has enabled me to develop my technical skills and has also given me more experience with using Adobe After Effects. Previously, I have thought about using a VFX, like chroma-keying, in my film opening but I decided not to incorporate it as there would be many difficulties with it. Due to the shots being filmed in low-key lighting, there would be a high chance of shots ending up with fuzzy or blurry edges, and a green colour bleeding through. Furthermore, if I used a green screen for the shot showing the torn wallpaper, it would make it seem unrealistic, and I did not want this to happen because I wanted to show the rough edges of the wallpaper that the female character tears off. Additionally, using CGI for my film would be highly unnecessary because I want my film opening to be entirely story-driven and character-driven and not something that is not real or physical, and it would make that outcome look unprofessional.

 This is the flare scene I created:


About The Author

An ENFP who happens to be an aspiring globe-trotter with a love for art, music and iced coffee. Trying to be pretty alright at everything.

2 comments:

  1. Mrs Holly21 March 2016 at 01:22

    Great detailed post. I love your problem solving and that you figured it out by yourself using another programme. Lovely explanations of your progression and technical knowledge and understanding.

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