Technical Direction For Compositing Project 3 Directions

Criteria -

• The primary purpose of this project is open a "box" that reveals assets that are entirely computer generated. Sometimes dubbed the "talking animal project" you will “open” an object that already exists in the live action plate that you create.Through the use of projection texturing, render layers and compositing, as well as other integration techniques, you will recreate the area that is revealed when you “open” that object. Work must incorporate several of the fundamentals that we've talked about in class. 

• Motion of objects inside are a bonus.

Requirements -

• Photography/Camera/Composition

  • You will need to film an environment to use as your background with a real box in it. The portion of the box that will open should be at least 25% of frame.

  • You will need all of the reference photography from a photoset as established earlier in the quarter.

  • Subtle camera motion is required and must use a tripod. Camera motion must be tracked by you.

  • Please keep in mind that the box in your live plate will later move in CG. For example a door, a lid on a box, etc. must open. The photo alone should be visually strong and something you would include on your demo reel.

• Motion 

  • At least one object/box in your photographed environment will be animated to open in CG and use a projection texturing technique taught in class.

  • Animation of box opening should take approximately 2-4 seconds. 

• Modeling 

  • You will need to create simplified proxy geometry for the CG object to interact with the environment of the photograph. 

  • You will also need to create geometry for the part of your object that is revealed. 

  • Any assets that are inside of the box can be sourced from the internet but must be cited.

• Materials

  • Must be created entirely by you.

  • Reference is required and must be from the real world

  • Please avoid glass, transparent, or translucent objects.

• Integration

  • Complete integration is required and all objects must look photorealistic.

  • Final composite must achieve a rendering quality that is the equivalent to what you would see in a photograph of the real world. 

  • As the object opens you must show a shift in lighting that is accurate to the scene as the lid reveals what is inside.

  •  Renders must be free of artifacts such as anti-aliasing, matte edges, and geometry faceting.

Ideas: 

• Add particle effects or sympathetic animation to the piece. Move an object freely through the scene, or show particle animation.

• Consider integrating a crowd or a single character that is moving.

• Propose an idea of your own in writing. No need to limit yourself to this idea.

• Mixamo.com is an excellent resource for this project. They have pre-rigged and animated characters that are free to download.