Workflow
For this project we decided to use After Effects to make everything. This was because our laptops could not take Nuke, and for our idea, we knew we could use After Effects for our effects.
We obviously went about dealing with who would do what and when etc.
First we would research some ideas (although we knew it would be Harry Potter inspired) and then work to storyboard them. Then we would work out filming. I wanted to be behind the camera, so I became the camera man.
We both want to do the special effects, so we would edit a video or two each, depending on the timing and if we have the right footage.
We are also looking at After Effects tutorials before we start so we know what AE can or can't do.
We obviously went about dealing with who would do what and when etc.
First we would research some ideas (although we knew it would be Harry Potter inspired) and then work to storyboard them. Then we would work out filming. I wanted to be behind the camera, so I became the camera man.
We both want to do the special effects, so we would edit a video or two each, depending on the timing and if we have the right footage.
We are also looking at After Effects tutorials before we start so we know what AE can or can't do.
Research and Ideas
Ideas
Me and my fellow group member, Jen, had already decided we wanted to go with this specific idea before the actual term began. We wanted to do a 'Harry Potter' inspired piece that involved magic such as levitation, transfiguration (turning one thing into another), apparation (basically teleporting) and spell casting that involves the need for particle effects (such as magical light effects, smoke etc.)
We also had the idea of a wizard duel, but we wanted the piece to be fun and mischievous.
With this in mind we sought out similar things on youtube for ideas.
We also had the idea of a wizard duel, but we wanted the piece to be fun and mischievous.
With this in mind we sought out similar things on youtube for ideas.
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Above: Although a lot of these videos are very Wizard Duel heavy, these are examples of things we are looking at in terms of idea. We want magic to be a prominent thing we use in terms of effects and these are good examples.
Below: Here is a parody of Harry Potter, but it does show some basic VFX parts. Also, the next video shows the stages of doing it which I found interesting.
Below: Here is a parody of Harry Potter, but it does show some basic VFX parts. Also, the next video shows the stages of doing it which I found interesting.
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These are just some tutorials that would help us and show a general idea of what we want to do in After Effects.
We had actually done our filming already, but last minute we panicked as to how to present our idea. As we were filming our original idea changed, so, thanks to a suggestion form another friend, we decided to do a 'Harry Potter newspaper' inspired piece. Below is an example of the type of newspaper we had in mind.
We wanted to use our handheld camera footage as the footage used on the 'moving images' on the newspaper.
We wanted to use our handheld camera footage as the footage used on the 'moving images' on the newspaper.
Concepts and Storyboards
We plan to film first, then obviously add things in post. We want to make everything look as if it is filmed by a group of cheeky teenagers, so it would be shaky cam. The only problem with this is that it might be hard to actual add effects in post production. We can use a steady cam shot, but preferably we want to make it look natural.
Below are some of my storyboards and concepts for our piece.
Below are some of my storyboards and concepts for our piece.
The first storyboard idea was the one we wanted to use, because it was a fun little short which we thought we could play with quite nicely. The other two were random ideas we decided in if we were doing static shots with cameras.
In the end we actually didn't use our storyboard and original ideas. Whilst we were filming we decided to do something different. We filmed a lot of shots and decided to pick our favourites and use them in our piece.
Our idea morphed into something different, but it also helped us develop a story for our newspaper.
In the end we actually didn't use our storyboard and original ideas. Whilst we were filming we decided to do something different. We filmed a lot of shots and decided to pick our favourites and use them in our piece.
Our idea morphed into something different, but it also helped us develop a story for our newspaper.
Newspaper Tests
Below is the actual article I had to write to fill the newspaper. I literally just went for it and made up a story to do with our videos. I made up the idea about wizard youths causing trouble in a muggle place. I am not writer, so it may read a little odd, but for the sake of a more authentic newspaper, I knew we had to have our own words on the page and not some copy and pasted one.
Above, I used these images as a template and a kind of reference. I didn't want to make it look exactly the same as we had to put our own spin, but it was still a big help to have.
I found a a paper texture online and (as shown below) decided to change the colour to match an old kind of newspaper. I also added words and an article I wrote myself to it to make a mock up of the newspaper. (You can find the mock up newspaper with the video on the next page.)
I found a a paper texture online and (as shown below) decided to change the colour to match an old kind of newspaper. I also added words and an article I wrote myself to it to make a mock up of the newspaper. (You can find the mock up newspaper with the video on the next page.)
The test went okay, but in the end we decided to do a double page spread so it could fit all three 'moving images' on them. Below is the spread we used. We decided it would be best to add the words and text on After Effects so we could move them about instead of having a static set of words
You can see more of the tests on the next page.