In the first week of the course, we went over and look at multiple visual effects artists as a class, we were also given the task to go home and research a visual effects artist and what we liked about them. One artist that stood out to me was Paul Lambert, particularly his work on “Bladerunner 2049”. What was so interesting about his work to me personally was how he created the scenes that the movie takes place in within blender and after effects. This, and on top of utilising the green screen in order to create backgrounds was one of the reasons that he stood out to me personally.
Week 2 - Development
For the second week, we tried our hands at a practical where we combined solid objects with different and unique textures,. Through this, not only did I get to familiarise myself with after effects and the workspace, but I also learned how to use silhouettes and create 2d and 3d effects, with varying speed, weight and depth. After the lecture I used the recourses available on after effects and practiced the clock exercise. I also had a look at the resources given to us, such as footage and where to find more video and sound files to edit. The library of congress had a lot of old photographs that I could potentially use in my project, as right now I want to word with 2d images in after effects. Initially, I had trouble keeping up with as I had to learn after effects form the beginning, as well as follow instructions at the same time. Something I can do to help with this is to download after effects at home and practice getting used to the workspace and what the tools do, even if the end product isn’t mind-blowing.
Week 3 - Dimensions
During week three, we went back to after effects and utilised the 3d and Z - axis. We did this by using 2d pngs and pdfs and putting them into a 3d environment, which allows us to push the image forwards and backwards, rather then just up, down, left and right you’d normally work with. Something that I learned was that by suing the 3d camera, you can move around in the environment that you created, which gives off an extra sense of depth that you couldn’t get from a 2d image. Furthermore, it also helps to rotate the image slighting towards the camera so that it gives the pngs the extra volume. Going home, I learned that slowly increasing the scale gradually of your images can give the sense that the background is getting increasingly closer, without actually moving towards it with the 3d camera. At first I had trouble with the newfound sense of depth, but I also discovered that you can use a a variety of camera angles that can help you see where about everything is. I would also like to get used to the tools 2,3 and 4 so that I can get to more specific angles that the previously mentioned cameras might not have.
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Week 4 - Masking
Going into week four, we continued our project from last week, while also learning how to mask videos and add them into the project as cut outs. Something that I learned during this was that one way to give the still images more consistency was to give them shadows for where they were standing, which also makes the stand out more and gives them a better sense of dimension. We also did this with the moving fish video, which required make a copy of the fish and lay it flat on the ground, and give it effects and a light opacity so that it looked like a shadow. When I got home I added moving leaves video that was in the foreground so that I could practice masking more precisely, as well as making a project that was more interesting to a viewer. For awhile, I had trouble moving the 3d camera left and right as it would rotate without me wanting it to, but by moving the point of interest the same way that the camera is moving, this can easily be avoided.
Week 5 - Looping / 3d models
For week 5 of visual effects, we were going to practice utilising 3d models in projects, however the verion of after effects wasn’t up to date so we couldn’t work on that. Instead, we worked on using tools to find flat surfaces and walls in videos and footage, and implamenting text onto those flat surfaces. This was useful to know as you can pair this with the 3d camera to make some dynamic movement that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Using the 3d modles at home has made me realise that there is alot to learn going forward in that area sp i decided to put a pin in it for now so I can focus on the 2d. One thing that I strugggled with recently was during a practice we had where we had to mask out a 2d tv and have our 3d camera follow through it, where it would then start a loop where the video could rplaya gain perfectly without it looking like its deviated from its original position. I eventually learned that using sequences and pre-compased files was the correct way to do it, as I was trying to replicate what the start of the video looked like in the small tv.
Week 6 - Research
Halfway through our time at visual effects, It was time for us to start compling our own unique ideas so that we can make our own project. After speaking to the lecturer he reccomend that I watch This video [1], which is a walking dead fan animation for the opening title. This video would heavily inspire my project, as I would go on to further look at 3d animations made out of scenes from comics, all while still being ‘2d’. Watching these videos made me want to pursue this line of after effects more, alothough I’m not too certain about what I would like to animate, I will work on improving my skills with the 3d camera until I land on something, as knowing how to better operate the 3d csmera will be widley useful regardless of what road I go down for the project. For my own research, lots of these comic book animation give the illiusion that the character are moving, while they aren;t even lifting a finger, whcih is somwthing i;’ll need to consider if I want to replicate and improve on my own work.
Week 7, 8, 9 - Final idea
Due to being unwell for a few weeks, I’ve fallen behind more then i’d like to be in terms of practice. However, my idea for the project has changed, as I want to focus more on manga than comic books. This is because I feel thjat manga might be easier to display a story with, as the images are all black and white and fairly basic with their composition, while comic panels can be a maze to disect, which would make the edit much harder overall, so I decided to go with manga as it would also still allow me to use and cultivate the skills previously mentioned the same way as it would with a comic. The story I decided to follow was a short story called ‘Just Listen to the Song’, which is about a high schooler who uploads a song to YouTube confessing his fellings to his crush, which goes viral due to its perceived anomalies and hidden meanings, but when he tries to make a sequal, it’s not nearly as popular. The story represnts themes of passion, while also being very face value with its message, which is why I think it would be a good choice for a one minute project.
Week 10 - Parralex effect
For week 10, I learned about Parralax animation, aswell as mesauring distance. These two video [2] [3] highlights the importance of having a structure and order to your scenes, as this can cause the whole image to not make sense if ordered incorrectly. I also learned how to give images further depth of field without using any 3d models. One thing I did stuggle with was how to scale the images correctly with, as too muchh and it would look out of place and synch. Through some trial and error, I learned that its usually best to increase the scale 10% per image when trying to achieve the zoom in effect.
Week 11 - 3d camera and transitions
Something else I learned during the personal project phase was how to transition in the 3d space. These videos [4] [5] taught me how to utilise masks to make quick seemless transitions, that would help with teh overall pace and movement of the project. Something I did struggle with waas trying to mask with multiple layers in 3d, which required me to pre - compose my sequences and add th etransitions towards the end of the project.
Week 12 - Lighting and effects
For the final week of the edit, I wanted to add some finishing touches to the project. Firstly I wanted to add some colour grade and lighting, as I already had an idea for how it would look since the start of the edit. I was highly inspired the the look of TV girls album cover of ‘Who Really Cares’. This gives the look and feel of a time before modern technology, which I would also like to compliment with some grainly camera filter, so that I can give the project an older, slightly 2000’s feel. To achieve the vibrant colours, I followed this lighting [6] guide, whcih helped me capture the intensity that I was after. Howerver, one problem was that the lighting struggles to find its footing more in 3d space, this means that If i want to light up one layer, id have to do the same for another layer, but still have some contrast from the first layer. Eventually, I sorted this out by using three poibnt light when I could, and sometimes lean into the clashing of the colours for a narrative purpose. As for the older camera aestetic, I followed this tutorial [7] to help me give the project the final touch it needed.
Overall, I’m quite pleased with how thhe project turned out, as I was able to get the narrative across and exemplify it with some key choices with the lighting, as well as making it look more visually appealing with the 3d camera element. One thing I would like to improve on for the future would be the flow of the 3d camera, as at times I felt like I was lingering too long on certian scenes or couldn’t graph a the camera to move quite as I was hoping to. To work on that, I will continue to make 3d projects in my ownb time, where I can practice by following more guides on blackbaord and youtube to improve.
Final Edit:
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jxz2M3FT2iU
Harvard referencing:
1. Daniel Katemoto (2010b). THE WALKING DEAD ‘Opening Titles’ HD. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TWCXE0Hsbq
2. NaughtyyJuan (2024). Smooth 3D Camera Movements | After Effects Tutorial. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sxjU3tZl4M [Accessed 4 Mar. 2025].
3. www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Create a 3D Scene from a Single Photo in After Effects | In-Depth PARALLAX Tutorial. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tVyu-rjHbg [Accessed 16 Jan. 2023].
4. Ultimate Guide to Animating Eyes in After Effects - Rigging Tutorial. (2020). YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxnBJf8H93A.
5. Nothigra (2024). • How To Make 3D CAMERA TRANSITIONS on After Effects | step by step tutorial •. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF79iJZEgU8 [Accessed 8 Apr. 2025].
6. Jake In Motion (2021). CC Light Rays | Effects of After Effects. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUyIpM4aRwU [Accessed 31 May 2024].
7. www.youtube.com. (n.d.). make a realistic vhs / vintage look – after effects vhs tutorial. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7ZvRz_yaZQ.