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I finally was able to close the books on Spaces this week. We had originally planned for the series to go 5 episodes, but, due to a backlog last semester and some severe looming budget cuts for our department, we had to settle for a 4 episode run. Regardless, I think that the story arc remains conclusive as nearly all of the loose ends from the first three episodes are tied up in the fourth installment. We did begin production on the fifth episode and I may include the opening scene as an extra on the series DVD that we release later this year.

In terms of the production schedule, this episode trumped all others in terms of multiple shoots as we had to find a way to coordinate 8 volunteer actors to occupy the same space at the same time. This kind of logistical nightmare doesn’t always work, but, in this instance, we were able to work around their schedule limitations and do multiple shoots that incorporated as many actors as we could at a time while avoiding any wide shots that would require digitally adding actors in.

As to the visual effects elements for this episode, I really didn’t find the need to add too much outside of the reveal shot of Charlotte’s paintings and a few hand-held shots that required some stabilization in post. Everything else was fairly well planned out so the need to add extras here and there were minimal. I had originally intended to include one more videophone shot where Charlotte calls Sheldon & Steve to check on the status of the doctors as they ran down the stairwell and have them running across the street in the background as Ward and Mason pull up. However, scheduling limitations dictated that I junk those shots in favor of a more easily filmed transition.

Anyway, as to the credits. The episode was produced by ETSU Online and Parking Services with special thanks to the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts and Karlota Contreras-Koterbay for being so gracious to provide us access to the Slocumb Galleries on multiple occasions. The episode, once again, stars Everett Tarlton and Danielle Tucker with returning guest stars Zach Starnes, Josh Holley, Bobby Funk, and Carolina Hurtado. Also appearing in this episode were Caroline Abercrombie, David Currie, and Rob Nelson as the doctors. I co-wrote the script for this episode with David Currie of the ETSU Office of eLearning who , along with Zion Madden of ETSU Online, served as assistant camera and audio technician. I served as Director, D.P., and Editor. All post-production was completed with Final Cut, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Mocha, and After Effects.

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Just finished this orientation video for the ETSU Launch Program. Script by Charvi Greer & Zion Madden of ETSU Online. Camerawork by Zion Madden and Jason Jones of ETSU Online and I served as DP. Talent provided by student athletes Brittany Champion and Dez Pierce. I performed all post-production with Final Cut, After Effects, and Audition.

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Just finished my new compositing reel for 2013 and was able to work in some never before seen shots from Choices along the way! Check it out below…

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Due to the recent news about ETSU’s ROTC program possibly being eliminated by the military, I was asked to create a promo featuring former Major General and ETSU alum Gary Harrel to promote the #KeepETSUROTC media campaign. Utilizing some stock photos supplied by the ETSU Photo Lab, footage of Major General Harrel’s interview provided by Jason Jones of ETSU Online, and some photos I took in the ROTC building on campus I created the following promo with After Effects, Final Cut, and, of course, element 3D. Enjoy!

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]]> http://www.vfxjake.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=554 0 http://www.vfxjake.com/blog/?p=551 http://www.vfxjake.com/blog/?p=551#respond Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:37:31 +0000 http://www.vfxjake.com/blog/?p=551

Recently, I was given another project to assemble a series of episodic vignettes about a series of paintings created by local artist and ETSU alum Bill Bledsoe that captured a series of memorable scenes from around the campus for a promotional sub-site on the university’s webpage. Bledsoe provides commentary on each piece to give a little background on his vision and method.

Videography and on-location sound provided by Jason Jones, Zion Madden, and David Currie of ETSU Online and talent provided by artist Bill Bledsoe. I performed all editing and post-production duties utilizing Final Cut, Audition, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

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Once again this year, I was asked to create a promo for the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts events schedule. Talent provided by program chair Anita DeAngelis and videography by Jason Jones of ETSU Online. I performed all editing and post-production utilizing Final Cut, Audition, Photoshop, and After Effects.

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Another fast turnaround was called for with this recent promo video for ETSU’s Basler Center for Physical Activity. With a little less than a week until a previously agreed to deadline (that I was blissfully unaware of until this little jewel hit my desk), I was able to cobble a couple hours of b-roll, an extra long script, and a little flash and dash courtesy of After Effects into the piece above.

Videography by David Currie and Jason Jones of the ETSU Office of eLearning, talent provided by the staff and students at the CPA, and voiceover, editing, and post-production performed by myself utilizing Final Cut, Audition, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.

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Episode 3 of Spaces is now officially in the books. It took a little longer to wrap production on this episode due to the inevitable scattering of acting talent that so often happens at the end of the semester, but, ultimately, I’m really happy with how everything came together. Episode 3 introduces us to Dr. Ward Rothschild, Charlotte’s father, who is played masterfully by ETSU Theatre professor Bobby Funk. Intellectually overbearing and strangely aloof, Ward presents himself as the next hurdle for Mason to clear in his pursuit of Charlotte’s affections.

From a technical perspective, we once again relied on a combination of a Canon 60D, a pair of Sony HXR-NX5Us, and a GoPro Hero III and we also went with the boom mic a little more often with this episode when an operator was available. Once again, I chose to return to the Facetime/Skype style video chat app to drive anther chaotic moment between Mason and his buddies. Additionally, when we were filming inside the cafeteria, we were short on cameras so I utilized the GoPro to capture the action as Steve and Sheldon frantically scribble notes to Mason during his meeting with Ward. I was pleasantly surprised with the flexibility of the GoPro footage captured with the cinetune style enabled. There really was a lot more latitude available during color correction and Mocha was able to track the tablet screen rather easily with only minor tweaks here and there.

Episode 4 presents several potential production nightmares with several actors being present for at least one scene so I have my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to wrap up production on that episode later this month! Anyway, now for the credits…

The third episode was produced by ETSU Online and ETSU Parking Services and starring ETSU students Danielle Tucker and Everett Tarlton. Guest stars include Zach Starnes, Josh Holley, and Bobby Funk. I co-wrote the script for this episode with David Currie of the ETSU Office of eLearning who , along with Zion Madden of ETSU Online, served as assistant camera and audio technician. I served as Director, D.P., and Editor. All post-production was completed with Final Cut, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Mocha, and After Effects. Enjoy!

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I just wrapped up another Townie Convention series and found another opportunity to work in some more 3d titles with Element 3D. One of these days I’m going to have to find an excuse to bring Maya back into my workflow, but it’s amazing to be able to do so much now with motion graphics inside of After Effects and I haven’t even scratched the surface of E3D’s capabilities. Anyway, check out the results below and special thanks to Paul Folger of iNNOV8 Productions for his fine camerawork & the folks at NPI for producing!

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