Motion Design: Aftereffects

I've been very engaged in the contents that we've learned recently in Motion Design. Week 5 was all about effects, which is seemingly limitless in Adobe Aftereffects. The program is a powerful tool I will utilize to upgrade the visual treatment of my projects. I feel that all the new skills acquired from the classes and tutorials on VideoCopilot are starting to open up more possibilities and leading to improved ideas. The grand scheme is in motion, and the vision has never been more clear.

Here's a quick sample of new effects I've experimented with:

Dreams

Source: youcanluciddream.com

Ever waken up from a dream so realistic, that you're not sure whether it was a vision or just a dream? I've tried to make sense of everything while backtracking on hazy dreams upon the first few minutes of waking. I found that I can't remember full details, mostly because they don't really make sense. I figured the best way to remember these dreams and interpret them is to write them down in a dream log. I write down my experience in detail and the way it makes me feel, along with personal reflections. Sometimes, the dreams are so vivid that I can write a page-worth of the recall.

I've recently been introduced to 'floating' at the Float House in Gastown. Floating for 90 minutes in a dark sensory-deprivation tank filled with epsom salt water at body temperature helps with entering a zone between reality and sub-consciousness. My first two floats were very relaxing, although I cannot remember my dreams and thoughts. I've booked an appointment for the next float, where I will attempt to control my dreams with raised awareness of the sub-conscious mind.

 Dreams become reality; with the aid of keeping a detailed dream journal and practicing lucid dreaming, I hope to find new inspirations and my deepest desires come true.

Green Screen

Source: jenkemmag.com

In the last motion design class, I learned how to use green screen effectively with chroma key compositing in Adobe Aftereffects. It's funny knowing that the most epic outdoor scenes in TV and film are often filmed inside a room with green walls. The potential of post-production visual effects is limitless. The assignment reminded me of the Invisible Skateboards piece directed by Spike Jonze for Girl Skateboards. I want to incorporate this idea in a project in the near future. 

Check the original Invisible Skateboards video below.

Minority Report (2002)

Minority Report is a 2002 science-fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg.

It has always been a personal favourite, and I recently re-watched it to break down the film.

 Spielberg is a true visionary, as this film was ahead of its time in terms of the visual effects, complex plot, and the introduction of new technology (some of which have been invented in the modern world since then).

Here are some of my favourite scenes and compositions screenshot while watching the film:

Agatha has the ability to predict future murders

John Anderton, played by Tom Cruise, is a detective in the Precrime department

Lexus concept car in 2054

The visual style of the film resembles a film-noir picture, with high-contrast and dark colours/shadows 

Highways in 2054 with self-driving vehicles

John Anderton undergoes illegal eye-replacement surgery to avoid eye-scans in the city

'Spiders' forcefully scanning John Anderton's eye post-surgery

The film contains a wide variety of product placement, including this BVLGARI watch...

... and this Lexus Concept car, which closely resembles the modern Bugatti Veyron

One of the most gruesome shots in the film, John Anderton's eye in a bag lands on the keys of the organ

Back to the Future

Back to the Future Collection Series illustrated by Ryan Putnam perfectly summarizes the trilogy with Marty McFly's belongings.

1985

2015

1885

Source: Ryan Putnam

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Source: brightestyoungthings.com

I recently watched Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 3D AVX. I've had high expectations waiting for this sequel, because I took part in the prequel as a background performer on the epic bridge scene. The film carries out the plot mostly from the apes' point of view, which was a fresh take compared to the prequel being from the human perspective. The motion capture technology displays realistic and impressive visual effects, which inspired me even more to continue pursuing my passions in the 3D program at Vancouver Film School.

Here is a clip that displays the levels of motion capture and visual effects: