Batman Transition

Does anyone know how to do the old Adam West Batman spinning background transition? I have an idea on how it might be done, but would you really spin the camera? Also how would you create quick moving back grounds, like someone in a fast car with a fast background over a green screen?
 
Re: Batman Transition

You can rotate a fixed image and apply motion blur, or rotate the camera with a slow shutter speed on a jib. the first method is easier, since just requires a still and 15 minutes on your image compositing app.
 
Re: Batman Transition

Most NLEs allow you to rotate an image as many times as you want and as quickly as you want. You just take a still of some kind -- a scene from the movie or something -- and spin it very quickly. Then you take your logo, or Bart Simpson's head, or whatever, center it, then use effects keyframes to enlarge it and then shrink it in a smooth motion.
 
Re: Batman Transition

This is one of those occasions where it's not shooting yourself in the foot by saying "Do it in post."

It's actually quite simple, just use David's approach. As taubkin said, I would apply a motion blur.
 
Re: Batman Transition

Cool thanks, it's so simple I missed it! That was swell Safety! Adam West was the best Batman ever!
 
Re: Batman Transition

Can you imagine them spinning one of those 1966 broadcast cameras?  That would have been cool:

Dir: "Now Burt, Adam..."

BM: "Batman, dammit"

Dir: "What?"

BM: "Batman!  I'm in character, I am BATMAN dammit!  Don't break my concentration"

Dir: "Sorry.  Batman, okay.  Look we need you guys to hold still while we twirl this cam..."

BM: "Dammit Robin, get your gloves out of my utility belt"

R: "Sorry, I was looking for my..."

BM: "Nevermind what you were looking for (giggle)  there's plenty of that for you back in the trailer"

Dir: "Um, fellas?"

BM: "Yes?"

Dir: "We really need you guys to hold still to get this spinning effect"

R: "Spinning effect?  How can we hold still and spin at the same time?"

Dir: "No, no.  Not you, the camera?"

BM: The camera, really?"

Dir: "Yea, y'see it's on this rotating shaft..."

R: "(chuckle) he said shaft, heh heh"

BM: "Yes Robin (giggle) just like my batpole"

R: "snort, Batman, get your baterang out of my tights."

B: "wait, Robin.  He wants you to rotate on my shaft"

Dir: "Oh **** this.  Lets just do it in post"
 
Re: Batman Transition

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=Events;num=1101337244;start=0#7 date=11/25/04 at 00:04:37]Dir: "Oh **** this. Lets just do it in post"[/quote]
And thus: A term was born.

(Very entertaining Jim.)
 
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