Adam Taylor
Forum Replies Created
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the first one was actually by Andrew Kramer – who IS videocoilot !
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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you say you’re only going to get one shot at trying it..
well i would suggest first of all you do it without telling them.
Then only show it if the result meets your own expectations.I certainly don’t think you should try it with the client present as the render time would surely be too long and you don’t want them thinking you’re wasting their time and money on an experiment.
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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Instead of asking “how do i do this?” you’ll learn a whole lot more if you work it out yourself. Watch it over and over. Don’t watch the overall effect, watch the individual elements
You have already mentioned a lot of the things you need to think about ie. 3d space, flares, particles etc. now you need to break it down even further, and start to build your effect based upon your observations.
Depending on what software and plug-ins you have will affect what you can do, but then that can also force you to find creative solutions which in turn will turn it from a copy of someone elses work into your own piece.
Personally I would list all the elements in the shot you want to replicate. Then decide where in 3d space those elements will need to be, to achieve the desired effect. SO – the flashing lights will be further from the camera (you) than the can. The can will obscure the lights (so a mask may be needed) Light from the flashes reflects of the sides of the can, so you will need to use masks and perhaps level controls to recreate the effect of reflected light.
Do you need a light or just lens flares? up to you…There looks like some volumetric light in the spot, so if you don’t have anything to create the slightly foggy look that volumetrics gives, then come up with a workaround. Perhaps several adjustment layers with subtle amounts of blur and the black levels raised, each soft edged masked to replicate the interaction of the light and dark “atmos”. Blend these adjustment layers over the other layers in the project so they add to the atmos, but don’t obviously and clumsily detract from the effect.
Videocopilot.net has many many wonderful tutorials (free) and Andrew Kramer often shows how to create particle effects in them.
I would seriously suggest watching every tutorial andrew has made. Whilst the actual project may not be what you intend, he shows great hints and tips that can be used for hundreds of other uses.Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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“…sound is much more than 50% of your final work so either take it seriously or get out of the way and let a sound post pro take over.
Ironically it is the cheapest way to add value to your production and the skill that many editors seem to lack. Ignorance about sound is a constant amazement to me. ”
Hallelujah, Amen and Praise be!!
truer words are rarely written.
Take heed, for the wise hath bestowed the gift of knowledge upon thee.
Use it well.Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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first off – who’s Tyler Perry? Never heard of him before.
I’m guessing he’s been presenting something in the States. And if its recently, then probably an expensive back patting exercise involving little yellow gonks and a highly select bunch of …..err better stop there before i get out of control!!
anyway – its my theory that people rarely get visual editing, because they do it themselves every few seconds subconsciously. Its never explained to them, it just happens.
Ever try looking from one person to another without blinking during the heads whip pan?
A sound effect can be quickly and easily demonstrated – crinkle the cellophane, close your eyes – hey presto…campfire!
A visual edit is a much more subtle trick. Done correctly, it is invisible. Create a visual rhythm and the viewer will assume the edits are just blinks and not realise they are being manipulated by the editor.
Yet with audio, they only ever hear a continuous uninterrupted stream. Its natural to assume all sound just flows. Show them how a film soundtrack is created from scratch (often from completely incongruous sources) and everybody is astonished at the work involved.
I agree completely with Shane. The art of the editor is unfortunately one not shrouded in mystery but smothered by disinterest and apathy. And not just from the public, but from many of those we work with who really should know better.
Whilst it can be annoying to realise how the public perceives what we do, it is also gratifying that we are able to do this job, and if more people realised how much fun it can be, we may all find it harder to get work!
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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i won’t even let our IT guys in the room housing all my mac kit. It scares them too much, and it scares me watching a PC techie approach a happy mac!!
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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I just put a new ATI 4870 in my machine last week. It certainly works much better in Color than my Nvidia 7700GT did. As for FCP or AE – cant really say yet as i haven’t done any heavy video editing since the install.
Pricewise, though, its a no brainer. Mine cost me £200 new.
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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one little tip that i have never seen mentioned anywhere…and i know it worked for me!
I went to a company for what i was lead to believe was a chat about a potential project. When i got there i found it was set up like a traditional interview, and was thrown off balance by the way the interview was conducted. Afterwards, at home i analysed the event and was really convinced my performance was crap! As it was a gig i really wanted, i set about re-organising my ideas and thoughts, came up with some new proposals and even did some costing charts, then i phoned the guy back and told him that i would really like to come back in at his convenience because i did not feel i had come across very well, and that i had some further ideas and suggestions to put to him.
He agreed, we met again, this time it was much more informal. I already met him once so was aware of how best to approach the guy, and this time there was no personnel manager in attendance. We had a much more fruitful discussion, and i have now been working there for the past four years, doing the job of my dreams.
basically, if you want the job, you have to fight for it. If you need a second shot at it, ask! But only if you are convinced you have more to offer than you originally expressed.
good luck
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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and don’t forget video is really just a collection of still images viewed quickly.
To become a fully able motion designer, then you need to have an armoury of techniques and skills that you will certainly not get just from learning a single application.
50 hours sounds a lot, but most lessons on Lynda.com are only around 10mins duration…so watch one a day whilst eating your lunch. You’ll soon have those hours run through and have a wealth of extra knowledge ready to inform your motion ideas.
You may not need to use PS very often, but many of the techniques employed within the discipline apply to both still and moving images.
let me throw a question back at you….which is… better a flat head or cross head screwdriver?
Cross heads are really my thing, but i’ve heard flatheads are still in use as well….damn…which should i get?adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
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aah the memories come flooding back….like the time the News Editor hands me a press release from the local council.
Cut 20 secs of “Grimebusters” he says..
“okay, whats the story?” i ask
“They’re busy in…(forgotten name to protect the innocent)…tis afternoon”a moments silence before i replied” you want to run a story that says today the streets sweepers are doing their jobs and sweeping the streets?”
“errr…forgot that idea, we’ll come up with something else”
adam
Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UKhttp://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk