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Constantine-Like Angel’s Wings
Hi, guys,
I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been busy teaching film making to inner city kids here in LA (so “Hi”, everybody). I just got hired to do a music video in which there is one shot where my main character reveals that she is an angel. I really liked to realistic/creepy feel of the wings that are attached to Shia LaBouf (“Chaz”) and Tilda Swinton (“Gabriel”) in CONSTANTINE. I know that this is a tall order and a large part of the solution may be great 3D animation work (if so I plan to use Martin Hash’s Animation Master), but I need some tips from a compositing perspective as far as how I can make the wings as “realistic” (and non-cartoony) as possible once Ive’s output my 3D renders. I imagine shooting the needed shot against a greenscreen would be a great start. I am also concerned about getting a nice “feather texture”, something that seems more complex than even photorealistic hair. Any tips? A tip that DOESN’T include 3D animation can also work (compositing a real bird’s wings in some way?).
thanks in advance,
jabbar -
3 Replies
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It all depends on how you block your shots. If they are wide shots, then you may get away with comping in real wings from stock photo sources. Are the shots close-up? You may want to look at how much it would cost to rent wings from a prop place and rig on set to how much it would cost in man-hours ($) to do 3D. Also, turbosquid has some decent models of wings for sale, as do other 3D model shops.
Todd Morgan
Creative Director
Freelance F/X Inc. -
Todd,
I had a medium shot (waist up, or maybe even a bit wider) in mind. Is this wide enough to be convincing with a bird’s real wings? I peeked at a still from CONTANTINE on the net last night and it was almost a full shot that we see of Tilda Swinton (albeit she’s crouching), but the wings are huge. They look very real,nice feather detail and movement but I’d be intersted in a second opinon (it may have been a combo of CG and prop wings–maybe even rigged). I probably should take a look at some real prop wings that can be rigged (more controllable), I’m just a bit afraid that they come as rather hoaky (like the “Hawkmen” of De Laurentiis’ “Flash Gordon” on the early 1980’s).
I see what you’re saying about using the stock footage (Artbeats?) Maybe I can even stop by the LA Zoo for some custom greenscreen work that would exactly fit what I need. The wings movements of a real bird would be unparalleled (even with a prop and riggers) Control, of course, and matching the wings to the actor’s position and movement would be a major factor, though.
Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
jabbar -
you’re in LA. get the yellow pages and call a prop or costume shop. shoot the actor on blu/grn screen with and without the wings, use wires if you have to flap them. much easier and probably beter looking than any bird wing compositing or 3d solution.
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