Free HD Greenscreen Plates

The fine folks at Hollywood Camera Work, makers of the excellent DVD series "Visual Effects for Directors," have posted some of the greenscreen plates and other VFX elements used in that series for educational use. Most are in 720p or 1080p HD and are available for you to experiment with techniques such as basic keying, 2D tracking, 3D matchmoving, and advanced keying with transparencies. Check them out here and get to work!

Inspiration: 100 Years of Special Effects

Technically it should be called "100 Years of VISUAL Effects." But I quibble. Check it out, courtesy of (inexplicably) CollegeHumor.com.

Innovation: Video Ads in Magazines

From CNET:

Broadcast network CBS will be advertising its fall TV season with a video-chip ad embedded in an issue of Entertainment Weekly.

The September 18 issue of the Time Inc.-owned magazine will feature the first video ad to appear in print, George Schweitzer, CBS marketing president, said Wednesday at a press conference at the company's headquarters here.

Read the full article, or watch video-ad manufacturer Americhip's video on YouTube:


This technology represents the start of what will surely be a future filled with digital video applications of all shapes and sizes.

Green Soda VFX Blog - VFX Challenge II

Here's one for you VFX students! Green Soda VFX Blog is co-sponsoring a VFX Challenge in partnership with the folks at Hollywood Camera Work (makers of the excellent "Visual Effects for Directors" DVDs we just added to the UAT Library).

This challenge involves greenscreen compositing and matchmoving. The deadline is Sunday, September 13th. Get started now!

The After Effects Output Module Exposed

Here's a comprehensive (if a bit dull) explanation of every one of those pesky settings in the After Effects Output Module, courtesy of Topher Welsh at AE Tuts+. If you've ever struggled with rendering your comps in AE, this one is for you.

The After Effects Output Module Exposed

Red One, Canon 5D Mk II, and Panasonic Lumix GH1 Footage Comparison

Here's an amazing bit of footage posted by premiere Hollywood equipment rental house Birns and Sawyer on their Vimeo channel.

Red One, Canon 5D Mk II, and Panasonic Lumix GH1 Footage Comparison from Birns and Sawyer on Vimeo.

What's so amazing about it? It compares side-by-side-by side the output of three hype-worthy cameras - the 4k-capable digital cinema RED ONE camera (roughly $20k) and two DSLRs equipped with "movie" modes, the $3500 Canon 5D Mark II and the $2200 Panasonic Lumix GH1. This is the first time I've seen footage from the Panasonic, and the first time I have seen anyone cut together material from a RED with footage from a DSLR. What it shows is that the technology has definitely shifted and this new generation of DSLRs are game-changers in terms of comparing price to image quality.

Featured Project: Get Pade

This week's featured project comes from upperclassmen Daniel Sontag, Evan Sprague, and Ryan Loveland.

Get Pade Trailer from Daniel Sontag on Vimeo.

Coming soon...

Starring Jeff Skiba

Directed / Edited by Daniel Sontag
Writing / VFX by Evan Sprague
Director of Photography Ryan Loveland

This isn't the first time Sprague has written a movie about a hitman in need of a life change. Also check out "After All" from his stint in DVA241.

Inspiration: Command+Z

Check out this great piece of visual effects filmmaking produced by a bunch of students at the Art Center College of Design

COMMAND+Z

With visuals obviously inspired by German expressionism and produced entirely on greenscreen, this is one you need to watch!

Phoenix-Area Production Jobs

Check out these 2 recent job posts from Craig's List!

Camera / Production Assistant (day job, August 15th)

Freelance Video Producer, Director of Photography, Videographer

IFP/Phoenix to Host Production Assistant Workshop This Saturday

Here's a great educational opportunity all DV students should attend: The IFP/Phoenix Production Assistants Workshop!

This session will delve into a variety of skills that will help PAs graduate to more skilled positions on the set. Producers from actively hiring projects will be in attendance. This seminar is ideal for anyone with some experience, but who wants more in depth information. Join independent producer/director Joe Gruberman, veteran of four feature films and dozens of shorts and commercials in exploring the ins & outs of movie and commercial production.

August 15, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm

IFP/Phoenix Classroom
1700 N 7th Ave, #250
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-955-6444
Map

TICKETS: $15 for IFP/PHX members, $20 for non-members

MORE INFO AT: http://ifpphx.org/events/production-assistants-workshop