Studio1--Folio Plan

1 RATIONALE: Intention  

In studio1, I’ll testing the methods of compositing animation and live shots. In terms of increasing the quality of VFX and SFX, I’ll focusing on testing the camera tracking, lighting, texture and depth of field. And, I found that ambient sound is really helpful for telling a story, thus, In my folio 1 projects, the ambient sounds will be carefully considered. In addition, the foundation is telling a story/idea, so all the skills are based on a story, a plot or even a small scene, otherwise, the skills will be meaningless. Overall, I hope I can set up a scene with good story foundation and skills.

 2 CONTEXT : Field 

The VFX and SFX can extend the possibilities for any films and games. And it could broadly affect different fields. So, I also want to be open-mind and explore other fields as well. High-quality visual effects rely on plenty of factors, such as shooting, lighting, tracking, keying, compositing, colour grading, etc. My work for folio 1 mainly sit within compositing films. Especially, in terms of camera tracking, lighting, texture and depth of field. And SFX will be tested as well.

• Weta Workshop is a multi-award winning design studio and physical manufacturing facility servicing the world's entertainment and creative industries. The VFX effects of my favourite movie series ‘Lord of rings’ were created by them. Which led them to win the Oscars in terms of Best Visual Effects, Best Make-up, Best Miniatures, etc. 

 Elastic is a studio that mainly focuses on art of the title. Their amazing project really blow my mind. Especially, the Game of Thrones opening. All the efforts they put into to the image all result in an extraordinary work. The movement of camera is amazing and so is the transition. 

• RODE VFX is an awesome VFX company they have been doing outstanding work in the film industry. I really like their VFX on “Blade Runner 2049”.
•  Andrew Kramer is an inspiring VFX and motion graphic designer I like. Recently, he is keen on testing how different materials impact on filming VFX instead of creating elements in software. He inspired me about the possibilities of a different method to present your work.

3 METHOD: Conceptual, Technical, Craft & Management

The concept of metaphor really helps me rethink the idea I want to present. And to be tinkering also gives me the idea that a surprise result of the “just do it” could be. I will keep practising the skills I have learned and hope it could help me organize my thought and express my idea. Besides, I enhance my software skills so that my presented VFX could be more realistic.(The major consideration of folio 1 will be compositing--camera movement, lighting, sounds) At the same time, when I shot the film, I will try my best to think about transition and how to make it better for after effects.

4 PRODUCTION: Tools

For folio 1,I will follow the table schedule below and hope it can form a successful exploration in weeks.

Overall, the whole process of folio 1 is tightly connected with each other, all the factors will be considered as a full part. For example, when I shot the scene, I will also foster my behaviour of think about the compositing sector in after effect. However, different weeks will focus on different exploration.

Week 2, I will test textures, lighting in C4d and learn the difference between rendering engines. Considering the impact of depth of fields on a realistic effects of films, I will figure out the channels rendering in C4D & AE.

Week3,learning how camera settings or movement impact on depth of fields and tracking.

Week4, shot the scenes will be used in compositing. And try to learn camera movement, lighting, depth of field, sounds.

Week5, combine all the work together and set up the final scenes, then editing the film in Premiere and add sound effects in audition.

At the end of folio one, I hope I can present a scene that merged both animation and live shots in high quality.