TJPARSONS explores practical applications of motion tracking and simulates a Zombie bite.

So why is this under the "No Budget Film Tools" section you might ask? What about the Adobe software? What about the Mocha for After Effects that you will be using? Well I'm assuming that if you are truly serious, you have invested the bare minimum(seen below). Digital effects can sometimes be a godsend. They involve less materials and typically only involve some pictures, animations, time and imagination. Rest assured I love both practical (in camera) effects and digital effects equally. There are times when one may be effective than another; sometimes one adds to another (they can be composited together). Its up to you as a filmmaker to discern what's best for a specific shot in your production. But motion tracking, to an independent filmmaker,  opens up a lot of doors that were unreachable just a few years ago.

MOTION TRACKING: Teaching Demo 1A-009-G

If you just happen to want to try digital effects (those done in computer) instead of practical effects (ones that are made and achieved in camera or the physical world) or a combination (my passion) and you have a sufficient knowledge of animation; I would suggest motion tracking.

This will not be a tutorial about how to program motion paths for your movie or film (I've seen many other tutorials that are way better- ones that I use myself) but this may just open you up  to the possibilities and applications beyond the demo shown.

Motion tracking is a way to track your subject on screen and by using 2D or 3D animation composite them as one image;  so they seem as part of the same in camera shot.

Mocha tracks the subject frame by frame , and by making a  set of points will bond with the subject moving as the camera moves and moving as the subject moves .

This can be quite cost effective because you are saving yourself materials from actually building what is needed for the shot with raw materials or having to destroy something that already exists. If it needs to move with the subject and the camera and seem impossible to do with makeup chances are, motion tracking may be one of the best options.

If the camera shakes during a running or action sequence, it does not matter as long as the points on the subject have been defined by Mocha (right vs. left -pictured above), it will move with the subject and the camera shake. Utterly amazing, eh?

What you are looking at here is a very simple motion tracking demo of a Zombie bite in the chest. No color correction has been added; no shadows or blending have been added either. This is just a simple 3 layer animation made from pictures of meat animated in a fluid motion to simulate muscle and sinew movement around a breastplate.

The animation is a composite of a layer of skin with a hole, followed by layer underneath (animated in real time) followed by what I call the bone layer or base layer. After that small oval of muscle and gore is animated. I track the subject (me) with a green oval on my chest. You can track on anything as long as it is noticeable on every angle on camera.

If tracking on bare skin you can use tape, magic markers or ink pen. If you are tracking a landscape or sign just make sure your points are tracked on a definable edge or mark. As the program searches through the footage it takes into consideration every movement of that point in every frame, and the end result is a composition that combines elements to add extension or augmentation to the subject.

It that seems as if I am barely moving at all in this clip, but I assure you that I had to make make several passes and adjustments to ensure that the animation moved with my body. If it was any amount off, as it was initially, it just looked like the animation was floating around on its own- detached from my chest. Sometimes you may need to adjust manually as the computer processes the footage frame by frame. Then when you add shadows, color correction and atmosphere it will truly be something you can be proud of. This is just a Demo, no shading, atmosphere or color correction was involved,  but I have done about two dozen shots since then, and there is no end to what motion tracking can be used for.

What are some examples of shots that may use motion tracking? Chances are you have seen the end result of Motion tracking in movies and TV and it has been so subtle that you may not have noticed it. But here is a list of some things that could use motion tracking for a shot:
 

* lightsabors, sparks, energy, lasers, knives and swords
* replacing whats outside of a window in a moving shot
* bullet holes on a getaway car as it speeds away
* missing limbs ( think Forest Gump's LT. Dan)
* Zombie head wounds, missing parts of face
* scars, robot parts underneath skin
* removing or adding tattoos on an actor
* retractable teeth or just tracking teeth or facial features
* censor bars or masks for interviewees
* blurring copyrighted/trademarked words in public signs or license plates
* removing or adding skyline elements to expand a city or set
* morphs or changes
* muzzle flashes from a gun
* fire on an actor
* replacing buildings in a skyline you do not have rights to use with fake ones
* set extension
* UFO's ( think "District 9")
* the list goes on and on (I have yet to come up with an end to its many uses)

Hope you enjoyed this nice little unrefined demo. It definitely opens up some possibilities to an exciting future.

TJPARSONS

No, I didn't make the mask in the picture above. I was just having some fun with the camera. But masks similar to this quality are possible using the techniques discussed below. All it takes is some patience and tender loving care, and you can have some masks or perhaps prosthetics for some special effects in your film that you can really proud of.

I'd like to talk about using masks "not as masks." Using masks not as masks? What does that mean? Lots of masks may not be able to be used in a Film of yours due to the likeness of pre-existing characters that are property of their respective franchises and companies. But some of the "textures” on these masks are just downright beautiful. A mask of Jar-Jar Binks may seem like a mediocre find until you run your hand across the texture of the mask. Then you start to respect what a little ingenuity, imagination and liquid latex can do. You are limited only by the amount of time and detail that you can put into it. You don't have to cut up any mask, but by pressing the pre-existing textures into a clay sculpture you can get some good textures you can "Frankenstein" together to get a truly unique mask or prosthetic appliance- lets get started.

Making a Mask or Prosthesis for not to much money

Ingredients: Lump of air dry clay, Liquid Latex, coloring (food coloring) or cream makeup or skin tone creme makeup, a hairdryer, Elmer's glue, Foam or dummy head if making a full mask. some brushes,  a will to "get it right", lots of patience.

1. Soften up the clay by mixing it around start shaping vaguely for your appliance. It can be smeared onto a foam or dummy head if you are going for a full face apparatus, or you can get a pressing from textures from masks talked about earlier.

2. Take the piece of mask or press the part of the mask where you want texture carving detail where needed. Get it like you want it, make all edges smooth and make sure you compensate for size for your actor. If you are making an appliance for a face or finger for example, understand you will be adding layers of latex on top of the clay - so think it out.

3. Paint over the mould with a thin layer of latex, make sure its even, and make sure it dries sufficiently each time. Use a hairdryer if needed.

4. Add color if needed to the latex. Color can be added in a mixing tray, and then applied. Sometimes you can add brown or skin tone creme or more hard colors depending on the project.

5. Add glue and dry it in spots to make certain parts more rigid. In most cases depending on the amount of layers that you used, it may be very flimsy.

6. Add sufficient latex layers. Hope you got a good deal on the Latex.

7. Pull carefully out or off of the mould.

8. Paint. Add detail to satisfaction.

9. Add to actor carefully using everything available, mixing to their natural skin tone.

10. Do some camera and lighting tests. Take note of what lighting is unflattering to the make-up and what color temperatures, and angles enhance it.

11. Have at it!! Film away!! Tell me what you made.

This is short and simple. I encourage you to experiment. Also make sure your actor doesn't have a latex allergy – its bad for them and you can't finish a production in the time allotted if your lead has a bad reaction. Also if you feel so inclined post some of your ideas and experiences below.

Have fun,

TJPARSONS

TJPARSONS pulls out his personal supplies and comments on the effects of a "PC" Halloween on Independent Filmmakers.

Halloween is a fun time for everyone. Festivities include icky ooky scary things including skeletons, blood, body parts, hearts, spleens, brains, werewolves, vampires, ... wait or maybe they used to. I have to say I have been disappointed time after time this year (2011) while making ventures to local establishments to plan out what I like to call my post Halloween madness. That is to say the time in the weeks following Halloween that superstores and local establishments mark down all their fake blood, make-up, and other costume and special effect related paraphernalia.

Maybe this started about a year ago when I explored the local establishments in search of the "deals of the season" only to find that I realized that liquid latex has been missing from the staple of staple of Halloween supplies for quite some time. No big deal I thought, I will just order it online. I realize that Halloween stores that are specifically set up for the season have many things that are needed for an independent production, however, part of being an Independent is working on a limited budget. DIY is our battle cry, and given the choice I personally would like to spend 25$ for toolbox full of supplies, tools, and make-up than one mask from the mall that costs 50$ and holds with it restrictions (on film) as the likeness may belong to a licensed movie or the company that makes the mask. Not to mention the markup on Mall goods.

I was particularly disappointed after checking out the local Target's selection this year. Dare I say one quarter of the store was devoted to Halloween related goods. I saw stacks of candy as far as the eye could see, witnessed black cats and non threatening jack-o-lanterns. This is where I started to get worried. Metallic purple and pink jack-o-lanterns peering down at me. Benign ghosts that would make Casper look like a serial killing villain. When did these changes of Halloween take place? Turned another corner: Transformers, Barbie, mullets, tattoo sleeves, old men. Where was the make-up? The really scary spooky things? Or better yet the reason I stepped in that particular day: the cheap actually scary masks- or the staple of my personal kit – blood capsules. Eventually I ventured up to an associate and asked if they had any blood capsules just out of curiosity, but that search was dead ended by a perplexing look like I had just lost a contact in a tank at a sewage treatment plant.

As I hung my head low walked up to the checkout line snickers bar in hand (in attempt to lessen my distress)- with "Charlie Brown" sad music playing in my head – I couldn't help to ask the cashier "What happened to all the 'actual' Halloween' stuff. " I further explained "you know, the make-up and fake skin. The arms, the fake blood, the teeth, the 'scary stuff ', you know. " As he handed me the snickers bar he looked up and said "Yeah, it seems that Halloween has gotten incredibly 'PC ' ( politically correct ). It's a shame huh, those days are long gone."

I walked away with sadness in my heart but before I even stepped foot into my car I couldn't help but to ask myself. “What was so 'un-PC ' about Halloween to begin with?”.

So as a frugal shopper, and producer that knows how to stretch a budget I knew there were other ways around this problem. But still a small part of me has died. Excuse me …. passed on. I still know that there are some of us that wish to make slices, dices, bullet holes, Zombies (living impaired), or general masks and prosthesis. To hold this mess, tool boxes with compartments works really well. So without further explanation I present to you:

WHAT'S IN A LOW BUDGET OR NO BUDGET SPECIAL EFFECTS KIT? WHAT IS IN TJPARSON'S MAKE-UP KIT? What's in my special effects case? Where can I get it? What is it used for?

* all links to products are subject to change without my notice.

I'm sure I missed something. What do you have in your kits?

Thanks,

TJPARSONS

An October contest for Filmmakers to make $10,000. Use this prize to make your next Movie!

A link via the West Virginia Film Office tells of a contest put on by Verisign and ".TV" to help Filmmakers win $10,000 by constructing a winning 30- 60 second commercial expressing to the world the benefits and pleasures of using a ".TV" web domain extension for their videos and playable content. A ".TV" has been a option to filmmakers for quite some time, and they are looking for help with promoting the online video experience. By using ".TV " an audience immediately knows that they are about to engage in video and the like- essentially pushing forward the video revolution into the future - and I know media artist of all kinds can get behind this noble agenda. So get out your cameras and break out the pen and paper, and get moving the deadline announced is October 23, 2011. Not much time- but the benefits of a job well done and chance at being hand picked could just finance your next picture. And we all know how hard financing is to come by for art these days. So have at it , have fun and tell them TJPARSONS sent you. Oh and one more thing - here is the link to the contest to get you going.

  The .TV Facebook page>click here

Good Luck, and have fun.

TJPARSONS

 

What is Chromadepth?
With 3D being used so much in movies now, its natural for artists and Filmmakers alike to want to experiment with this audience interface. Chromadepth is an alternative to polarized, analglyph, and the LCD shutter glasses used in modern home theaters. Chromadepth works by the programmer or artist using color tones to display to the audience objects in different variances of depth. Usually, black and blue are related to background of the image, while warmer colors and lime green  categorizing sequentially in distance from the viewer, red being closest to the viewer. In my personal experiments I have found that the farther one is away from the screen, within reason, creates more depth. While chromadepth in some ways is limiting with degrees of color that may be used, it is very easy to get a desired effect while adhering to a very simple rule-set. The limitations often yield some inventive solutions and creative discoveries.

What materials can I use to make chromadepth creations?
Chromadepth images can be made with just about any materials that can support solid colors: crayons, inks, markers, print materials, chalk, digital images, video, construction paper, colored paper, fabric and paints are just a few. Once you own a pair or two of Chromadepth glasses you may notice things look a little strange around the house and are unintentionally working in 3D and this is just flat out fun - Things like looking at DVD  cases, flipping though comics and magazines will give you an idea of how different materials, pictures and designs can be used.

One of the most amazing unintentional chromadepth uses is to use the glasses with "Morphyre" . "Morphyre" is free music visualization software  that works with your media player. This program is awesome in itself and the upgrade includes more control and customization. I can say that as far as a visualization program is concerned the upgrade is well worth the 4$ and I think it is easily worth twice that.

Where do I get Chromadepth?
American Paper Optics, offers a lot of packages involving different glasses. If you are truly interested the development kit, while simple, may work for you and most purposes. The glasses and packages are available through the chromatek.com website,

A short animated movie produced in Chromadepth: "Dancing Jellyfish" by TJPARSONS.
I figured I would provide a small movie to show how Chromadepth can be used despite the limitations. Within the bounds of its simple rules many things are possible. I found it to be a fun experience, and the movie wasn't muddied up with a blurred stereoscopic images for those that may not have the glasses on hand. Chromadepth has many practical applications from written promotions to Television commercials- much like some 3D trailers for movies during past sporting events where glasses were given away and audiences eagerly anticipated the premiere of the commercials. In the case for your business, it could possibly be a way to make you stand out above the rest. I do have some experience in this area, If you need some creative consultation, but until then enjoy the short video, and get yourselves some chromadepth glasses from American Paper Optics it's blast.

*For best viewing experience select full screen for the video and sit or stand at least 3 feet from the screen. Enjoy.

In past experiments.

At one time I was taking computer science at USC and decided that my project would be using chromadepth to code a website (by hand). The Chromadepth was used less as an aesthetic, and more of a function of the site. It was an experiment to take information that was grouped, and depending on what the user would pick would be given a depth in the user's field of vision - an information hierarchy. For instance a rollover would cause the text to be emphasized by moving closer to the user while a selection, or secondary selection may move closer yet to the user.  At the time my professors told me I was the first person ever that they have heard of to organize and and use 3D technology in this way- ever. It just seemed logical at the time, and can be seen such as in the hit movie "Minority Report" . My idea that 3D was something that should be experimented with to find a "practical" use for, not just for general viewer enhancement. It could provide a function. Much like bullet points on a document provide emphasis as does italics, I was exploring all ideals like this in the context of a third dimension.