Script to Screen: Useful Links for VFX & SFX

Playlist of VFX & SFX tutorials

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRyTDLRda1o2HGla74xnQZcTBBdfVkO3I

 

SFX vs. VFX: Two Effects Artists Discuss the Differences Between Practical & CGI

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/sfx-vfx-two-effects-artists-discuss-differences-between-practical-cgi

 

Watch How the Masters Used to Create VFX for Movies in These ILM Videos

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/01/masters-create-vfx-movies-star-wars-star-trek-ilm

 

The Power of Compositing: 4 Must-Watch After Effects Tutorials

https://www.rocketstock.com/blog/the-power-of-compositing-4-must-watch-after-effects-tutorials/

 

Surface Skin

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/playlist/vfx/sub_surface_skin/

 

How to Avoid Common Green Screen Mistakes

http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/common-green-screen-mistakes

 

The Best Film Visual Effects Through the Years

http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/the-best-film-visual-effects-through-the-years/

 

Effects of days past: making Superman fly

https://www.fxphd.com/blog/effects-of-days-past-making-superman-fly/

Script to Screen: Introduction to VFX and SFX: 6th November 2015

Task 1: In class –

Find a VFX tutorial online and replicate it. For example –

Simple VFX Tests:

• Get hit by a car
• Landing like Hancock
• Green screen in a location (including shadow!)
• Crawling out of a TV (The Ring)
• Lightsabers

Follow the instructions to produce your own version individually or in a small group.

Task 2: At Home –

Define the difference between Special Effects and Visual Effects.

Research into the use of VFX and SFX in a range of a/v media products.

For example:

TV Shows –

Dr Who (TARDIS dematerialisation effect, Dalek guns, explosions, spacecraft flying, prosthetic makeup)

Grandpa in my pocket (shrinking down to a small size)

Game of Thrones (Use of Miniatures, green screen etc)

Films –

Lord of the Rings – How to make a 6ft actor look like a dwarf, walking trees, explosions, etc.

James Bond – Explosions, scale models etc

Adverts –

BMW x5 commercial

Music Videos –

Bad Blood (Taylor Swift) (Explosions, models, makeup)

http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/motion-graphics/vfx-taylor-swifts-bad-blood-music-video/

You will find your own 6 examples of SFX and 6 examples of VFX within a range of media products – ie 1 film, 1 TV show, 1 advert, 1 music video etc.

Analyse the effect (VFC / SFX, how it was done) – hint – it may be easier to find a VFX breakdown on the sequence…

Script to Screen Project: Part 1

In this project you will devise a sequence featuring Visual and special effects, script it, shoot it and design the sound.

You could recover Film and / or TV with this – as long as it meets the stipulations:

• The final sequence must be up to 5 minutes long
• You will have devised, tested and implemented a Visual Effects Sequence
• You will have devised, tested and Implemented a Special Effects Sequence
• You will have undertaken Pre Production ( for the effects and for the sequence)
• You will have Directed & Shot the effects sequences
• You will have edited the effects sequences
• You will have devised the sound design for the effects sequence (and contributed to the overall sequence)

As we progress through the project, you will set further tasks to do dependent on your chosen direction of study.

You will need to construct a personal plan to show what you are doing and how it fits in with the units you are covering.

So, for example…

 

Task	Unit Criteria	Submission Date
Research Simple VFX Tests: ·      Get hit by a car (Road Safety Advert) ·      Landing like Hancock / Man of Steel ·      Green screen in a location (including shadow!) ·      Crawling out of a TV (The Ring) ·      Lightsabers (Star Wars) Look at how they were used in the film / TV show Use at a tutorial to recreate it Produce a VFX Breakdown to show how you did it	Unit 44, outcome 1             Unit 44, outcome 2	11/12/15             11/12/15
Look at professional SFX / VFX breakdowns: for example – ·      Superman ·      American Werewolf in London ·      Scanners ·      Star Wars (1-7) ·      Lord of the Rings / Hobbit ·      Jurassic Park ·      Avatar ·      Etc…	Unit 44, outcome 1 Unit 45, Outcome 1	11/12/15 11/12/15
Simple SFX Tests: ·      Zombie makeup (Walking Dead Etc) ·      Broken Arm ·      Black eyes & Scars ·      Flying Helicopter ·      Miniature person in a giant world (The Borrowers) Look at how they were used in the film / TV show Use at a tutorial to recreate it / use Media Make up professional Produce a SFX Breakdown to show how you did it	Unit 45, outcome 1             Unit 45, outcome 2 & 3	11/12/15             11/12/15