Visual Effect update.

Currently I'm working with the footage from the first attempt at shooting the footage. It's now in After Effects with the lightning effect being added to it. I might even shorten the footage down to when the lightning is being fired at each other but for the moment I'll keep as it is.

Issues

Over the weekend, the footage was re-done but unfortunately it turned out lackluster compared to the first attempt. Due to the time left, I'll have to continue working with the first lot of footage recorded during the break. Reason why it wasn't good footage is because the end shots were zoomed in, making it look slightly blurred,  the sound wasn't too good and the lightning turned out looking really bright despite being filmed very late in the evening. I might be too picky but if it's not good compared to the original footage then I can't use it.

VFX Update.

Okay during the holidays, I managed to get the footage shot at the desired location. However it was not in the stormy downcast weather but late evening time.
This was due to lack of time as I had a lot of employment work during the break and meant most of the first week was gone to that.
I have yet to put the shots together and watch the result, so I'm hoping it all went well.

Script

Here is the script for my VFX shooting. I don't have names for the characters at the moment so it will be me as person1 and Danielle as person2. Yes this will be a pretty quirky script since I want to make it a humorous parody.

Showdown at the park.

Person1: So you have finally come to challenge me!

Person2: Yes I have! Today's the day I put a stop to your evil deeds!

Person1: What evil deeds? All I did was electrocute a couple of people by accident.

Person2: A couple by accident!? More like a few random people on purpose you monster!

Person1: Muahahahahaaa! Oh well guess the cats out of the bag. Then how about you put those fighting words into actions and defeat me!

Person2: Take that!

Person1: Bring it!

*Both shoot lightning from their hands but after a bit person 2 starts to overpower person1.*

Person1: What is this? How can you be so powerful?

Person2: Unlike you, I trained!

Person1: No way!

Person2: Yes way!

*Person 2's lightning breaks through Person1's who gets electrocuted and flails about on the ground before passing out.*

Person2: Finally it's all over. 

*Person2 walks away leaving person 1 on the ground.*

Warp Stabilizer

Here are the completed shots for the warp stabilizer tutorials.

Special Effects Pre Production

Brief: I plan to re-create a Visual Special Effect from a movie.

Brainstorm: The effect will be lightning. This is seen in Star Wars with the lightning shooting from the Emperor's  hands. For this I'll use After Effects Advanced Lightning effect which I have watched tutorials on.
Here's a link to the Star Wars scene with the lightning effect:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BOQI-LAEzM

Research: I have found and watched a variety of advanced lightning tutorials produced in After Effects.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNXECHjLwjw
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjVc3M-ofIw
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQjVl1HHJpM
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug0US9MoA0s
• http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/lightning_strike/

 Storyboard: 

Identify Cast/Crew: The cast involved will be myself and a friend. Since I'm planning to make it two people versing each other in a lightning battle, I wont be needing too many. Might also need another person to help out with the HD video camera.

This storyboard was good as a draft for the shot placements but was extremely limited in what you can put into it in regards to content and panel numbers. The website only allowed a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 panels for each storyboard. Hence why doing a draft shoot showing all the shot camera angles is advised, kind of like doing up an animatic for an animation production.

 Resources:

• HD camera
• After Effects CS5.5
• Desktop Computer
• A tripod which might have to be a makeshift one.
• My car to get around to the location.

Location: An open area like a park. Junee has a couple of parks but one has some nice features in it. Time of day might have to downcast or cloudy. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to film in the correct weather but to achieve this I'll need to keep checking weather reports. For filming in the part, there will be no authorization required.

Budget: There won't be any fees since I have access to a HD camera and only require about 3 people including myself. Time for recording might be around 2 to 3 days or less depending on the footage quality, peoples schedules and weather.

Schedule: 
Planning phase: I plan to start shooting the footage during these up coming holidays. This is between the 23-9-13 to 6-10-13.
Video Shoot: Will have to work in appropriate times which is suitable for everyone's daily schedules. Preferably on days off if possible or weekends.
During the holiday period will shoot it and treat it like a final edit then bring it in for critique for term 4 which might require redoing the shooting. I'll need to allocate time for this and discuss it with my friends. Might also have to consider doing a sky replacement if it's difficult to shoot in the stormy weather. Might have to go with a green screen too if required.
Doing several different practice shots and variations will be a wise idea in case one shot turns out better than the other alternative.
My friend Danielle has agreed to be an actor in the footage. I'm also playing as an actor since I can exaggerate a pretty good dying, electrified action.
Post Production: I'll bring the finished footage in After Effects to add in the Advanced Lightning Effect then export it out and import it into Premiere Pro for the audio.
  

Roto Brush and Blood splatter fix

Here are the previous Roto Brush and Blood Splatter tutorials all refined. There's still a little bit of jitter occurring in the Roto brush but not like before.

Roto Brush

Blood Splatter