Interacting with a “frozen frame”

[John Rofrano]

It looks like all you need is some careful planning on the shoot and then split screen/mask back in Vegas Pro. I didn’t see anything requiring more than that in the shot. The trick is to keep the camera locked down so it doesn’t move from scene to scene.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Joey Kelly]

I don’t see what you mean. Here’s a couple of questions that need answering:
1. how can I move the ball if it’s in a “frozen” frame?
2. Maybe the ball ISN’T in that “frozen” frame. If not, how do you keep it there still enough to pretend like it’s in the “frozen” frame?

[John Rofrano]

[Joey Kelly] “1. how can I move the ball if it’s in a “frozen” frame?”

He didn’t move the ball. He moved the kid. There’s a big difference.

[Joey Kelly] “2. Maybe the ball ISN’T in that “frozen” frame. If not, how do you keep it there still enough to pretend like it’s in the “frozen” frame?”

CG (Computer Graphics). Now you need to get into 3D animation and Match Moving and hi-end stuff. That wasn’t what was in that clip. That clip was a simple freeze frame, mask, and camera cut to move the kid.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Joey Kelly]

Right, I’m sorry. My mistake. So, you’re saying that in the frame where he moves the kids’ arm….the kid just stood there REALLY still?

Thanks for all the help by the way! 🙂

[John Rofrano]

[Joey Kelly] “So, you’re saying that in the frame where he moves the kids’ arm….the kid just stood there REALLY still?”

Yup. The kid is just standing still in the cutaway shot.

So here is how to set up that scene:

1. You position the camera on a tripod to take the first shot with one kid throwing the ball to the second and shoot that take.
2. You shoot a second take where you tell the second kid to raise his arms to catch the ball but then just stand motionless waiting for the ball. The adult should wait until the second kid is motionless and then start walking toward him with no ball being thrown.
3. In Vegas, you split the screen with a mask so that you are watching the left side of the first take and the right side of the second take. This is why it’s critical to “lock down the camera” on a good tripod so that no one can tell you are actually seeing two different takes of the same scene.
4. Then you freeze the left side of the frame just before the ball reaches the split point.
5. Because the right side is the second take, the adult will be seen walking toward the second kid while the ball is frozen in mid air. (because no ball was actually thrown the second time)
6. Then you cut the second shot where the kid is just standing still, you have the adult walk toward him and reposition his hand, and have someone off-camera throw the ball at him and hit him in the head. (your brain will assume the adult is still walking toward him from the first shot)

Does that make sense? It’s just a split screen/freeze frame with some careful planning of camera angles.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Joey Kelly]

Thanks a bunch! That makes sense! So….I just have to find a kid who can stand REALLY still.

Thanks!

[John Rofrano]

[Joey Kelly] “.I just have to find a kid who can stand REALLY still.”

That’s why the call it… acting! 😉

You’re welcome, glad I could help.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com