VFX - Module Overview [University]

At the start of this project, I didn't really know that much about visual effects and how they were created. After having spent this project looking into some different types of visual effects and trying to create my own using workflows explored in workshops, I have been able to produce my own visual effects and have managed to successfully integrate them into live-action footage. I've learned a lot about filmmaking, such as the different shot types, and have explored a variety of different kinds of visual effects, like compositing, rotoscoping, tracking and parallax.

Learning about cinematography at the start of the this project will aid me well in the upcoming projects. I know that creating my own five-by-five and being aware of different shot types will help me greatly in the upcoming Digital Storytelling project as I always struggle with framing my panels for storyboards/animatics etc. and it will make me consider what I'm trying to show within a shot, rather than just rushing in and drawing something that's a bit unfocused.

Although I feel I am not particualrly interested in a job or work that focuses mostly on VFX, I can definitely use the techniques and workflows that I've learned in this project and take them forward onto future projects. The knowledge I've acquired while working on my VFX tests has allowed me to realise new ways I can create animations. For example, the metro tracking test shows me the possibilities of how I could output my animations; instead of only creating 2D work and stopping there, I can think about how I can incorporate and track the animation into live-action footage.

Overall, I feel happy with the work I have been able to produce in this project. I'm mostly happy with the Mocha tracking experiment I did using the metro footage as this inspired me to think of how I could output my 2D animations in different ways (as mentioned above) and the rotoscoping I did of my brother as I think having the knowledge of how to use RotoBrush like this could be vital in future project work. The project was very enjoyable and it was interesting learning new workflows I wasn't familiar with that can help suppliment my work, however I wish I had explored slightly more areas like using a green screen or learning how to track in a 3D software.

A tracking experiment made in After Effects using Mocha and some rough animation from the DM60 project.