El Director
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Leap: Revelation Lookbook
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FEATURE: Leap: Revelation
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El Director
Veteran
During the same scene as the big roof jump I did earlier in the week, there will be a shot from the traceurs view looking down as martial law begins. Had a "bright idea" today where if I could find a good soldier model, animate a walk cycle for it in Poser, then export the obj sequence for use in Element. To test this idea, I used one of the basic Poser models, James. I customized his shirt in Photoshop and spent all of 30 seconds generating a walk cycle. The obj sequence exported just fine too. By now I'm thinking I'm a genius and go to import the sequence into Element. Once it loads I realize I may have an issue - 280,000 vertices! Multiply it by forty and things start getting slower. This frame took five minutes and all it has is Element and a fast blur.
I wanted to see if the vertice count was the issue, so I grabed a low poly SWAT guy in a cool pose off the web. 8,000 vertices. This image below was spit out instantly and it even has a Colorista applied. The drawback is that there's no animation to it. So I need to find a low poly solider that will be easy to chain and apply a walk cycle to. I wonder if such a thing exists?
I wanted to see if the vertice count was the issue, so I grabed a low poly SWAT guy in a cool pose off the web. 8,000 vertices. This image below was spit out instantly and it even has a Colorista applied. The drawback is that there's no animation to it. So I need to find a low poly solider that will be easy to chain and apply a walk cycle to. I wonder if such a thing exists?
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
During the same scene as the big roof jump I did earlier in the week, there will be a shot from the traceurs view looking down as martial law begins. Had a "bright idea" today where if I could find a good soldier model, animate a walk cycle for it in Poser, then export the obj sequence for use in Element. To test this idea, I used one of the basic Poser models, James. I customized his shirt in Photoshop and spent all of 30 seconds generating a walk cycle. The obj sequence exported just fine too. By now I'm thinking I'm a genius and go to import the sequence into Element. Once it loads I realize I may have an issue - 280,000 vertices! Multiply it by forty and things start getting slower. This frame took five minutes and all it has is Element and a fast blur.
I wanted to see if the vertice count was the issue, so I grabed a low poly SWAT guy in a cool pose off the web. 8,000 vertices. This image below was spit out instantly and it even has a Colorista applied. The drawback is that there's no animation to it. So I need to find a low poly solider that will be easy to chain and apply a walk cycle to. I wonder if such a thing exists?
I wonder if by only rendering the motion of one marcher, with about 10 'architype' variations, then mixing them up in a composite, with reusing the 'archetypes', would be faster... sure those people who single step through entire movies to catch all the 'gaffs' and then list them on IMDB would catch the 'trick'... but if the shot is a second or two, given modern editing practice, it may work out better. (What I'm think of is that 'Normandy Beach' FX video, where with a couple of guys on the beach, a relatively 'evenly lit' day, the composited images looked like an army landing...)
El Director
Veteran
Do you mean render from Poser and comp them together? Or Do it in Element one figure at a time, render, then comp them? I may try the last one first. Great idea, thanks!
Cryogenic Filmworks
Veteran
So.... How's the project going?
Chris Adler
Veteran
This sounds like a good place to use a particle system and use the soldier animation as the particle. Trapcode Particular has tutorials on this.
El Director
Veteran
I've been working on a few shorts as of late that have been helping me learn the effects skills to pull off this third movie. Lately, I've been super impressed with the Creative Cloud and how well everything plays together. So much so that I had to make a video about it
El Director
Veteran
I had the opportunity to shoot a music video for my friend Laura. I talked her into letting me stick the Second Coming of Jesus at the end so I can get some practice pulling the effect off for Leap 3. Here's the video:
I've really gotten hooked on using a combo of Magic Lantern, VisionColor and LUTs for my work. Magic Lantern allowed me to use two picture styles-one for pause, and one for record. In paused mode, I ran VisionColor CineTech, which gives me a nice image for lighting and exposure that looks somewhat like the final product. When I hit record, it flips over to VisionColor VisionTech, which is a really nice, flat, almost LOG style. I ingest with Bridge and rename everything. Cut in Premiere CC. Dynamic Link to AE for the effects shots. In this example, I sent the shot from AE to Mocha for tracking before I comp'd it together. Bring everything back to Premiere and send to Speedgrade where I apply a LUT from VisonColor Osiris. Back to Premiere, send stuff to Audition, back to Premiere and export.
While I'm not fully happy with the look of the effect shot in this, I think I'm on the right track and I'm learning what it's really going to take to pull this off for real. One thing I learned is that applying a LUT on top of the effects shot made the flare look like a cartoon. The fix was to apply the LUT to an adjustment layer in AE above everything but the flare, then have the flare on the very top. I just had to make sure that I didn't apply a LUT later in Speedgrade.
I've really gotten hooked on using a combo of Magic Lantern, VisionColor and LUTs for my work. Magic Lantern allowed me to use two picture styles-one for pause, and one for record. In paused mode, I ran VisionColor CineTech, which gives me a nice image for lighting and exposure that looks somewhat like the final product. When I hit record, it flips over to VisionColor VisionTech, which is a really nice, flat, almost LOG style. I ingest with Bridge and rename everything. Cut in Premiere CC. Dynamic Link to AE for the effects shots. In this example, I sent the shot from AE to Mocha for tracking before I comp'd it together. Bring everything back to Premiere and send to Speedgrade where I apply a LUT from VisonColor Osiris. Back to Premiere, send stuff to Audition, back to Premiere and export.
While I'm not fully happy with the look of the effect shot in this, I think I'm on the right track and I'm learning what it's really going to take to pull this off for real. One thing I learned is that applying a LUT on top of the effects shot made the flare look like a cartoon. The fix was to apply the LUT to an adjustment layer in AE above everything but the flare, then have the flare on the very top. I just had to make sure that I didn't apply a LUT later in Speedgrade.
El Director
Veteran
New Production Journal:
from the blog at starspictures.org
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The past six months have been super crazy. Lot’s of work, traveling for work, traveling to speak and still trying to figure out how I’m going to get the funds to do Leap 3. It’s almost starting to feel like there’s just not enough time to do it all, and that sucks.
Looking at the news as of late, I’m more convinced than ever that I need to make Leap 3. But how? The message of this film is too important to take lightly. I’ve been saying that all along, but today it really hit me for the first time. When I think back to 2009, the first Leap was all fun and games. We had a blast doing it, and the story was just parkour and some Bible studies. With Leap: Rise of the Beast, things began to get a bit more serious. We showed a possible outcome for how the Sunday laws might come about, and some of the dangers of speaking out against them.
Now, on Leap: Revelation, the seriousness of the topics is almost overwhelming to me. The story picks up in the middle of Rise of the Beast and continues through the Second Coming. We now see why the Sabbath is important as the seven last plagues are poured out onto the earth. We explore the issues of family in the final days. But most importantly, we blatantly ask the questions, “Are you ready for Jesus to return?” “Have you had a heart conversion?” “Are you worthy to enter into the Holy City?”
I think that if we are honest with ourselves, and stop to think about this, we would have to admit that the most truthful answer is no, we’re not ready. Fortunately, there is still time, but not much. And that is why I want to make this film. To make people think and ask these questions of themselves.
This project is a lot for one person to take on and my help is limited. Twinkle has a child now and is busy with motherhood. Kim has moved to the Midwest and is busy with school. God, in His grace, has since brought me some help in the form of Laura. She is a vocal artist and may be traveling soon, but she is willing to help as she can. Our first endeavor was to go over the script with a fine-tooth comb and look for problem areas that don’t match up with scripture or the inspired writings. She has brought up some really good points so now I have the task of figuring out how to incorporate them.
The world needs a film like this, that remains truthful to the source and what will happen, without pulling any punches. The Left Behind remake is coming out soon, as is the Noah movie. Both are bastardizations of the Bible and fuels my desire to make Leap 3 even more. What is sad though is that in order to compete, money is needed, and money is something I don’t have a lot of. My initial budget was sitting around $100k, but that was for what would still amount to a backyard film. The more I think about it, the more I think we really need $500k to attract the talent needed to pull the film off.
If anyone reading this has any ideas how to raise this kind of funding, please let me know. This burden to share the truth is growing heavier with each day and we know that time is short.
Thank you for reading, and God bless,
Chris
from the blog at starspictures.org
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The past six months have been super crazy. Lot’s of work, traveling for work, traveling to speak and still trying to figure out how I’m going to get the funds to do Leap 3. It’s almost starting to feel like there’s just not enough time to do it all, and that sucks.
Looking at the news as of late, I’m more convinced than ever that I need to make Leap 3. But how? The message of this film is too important to take lightly. I’ve been saying that all along, but today it really hit me for the first time. When I think back to 2009, the first Leap was all fun and games. We had a blast doing it, and the story was just parkour and some Bible studies. With Leap: Rise of the Beast, things began to get a bit more serious. We showed a possible outcome for how the Sunday laws might come about, and some of the dangers of speaking out against them.
Now, on Leap: Revelation, the seriousness of the topics is almost overwhelming to me. The story picks up in the middle of Rise of the Beast and continues through the Second Coming. We now see why the Sabbath is important as the seven last plagues are poured out onto the earth. We explore the issues of family in the final days. But most importantly, we blatantly ask the questions, “Are you ready for Jesus to return?” “Have you had a heart conversion?” “Are you worthy to enter into the Holy City?”
I think that if we are honest with ourselves, and stop to think about this, we would have to admit that the most truthful answer is no, we’re not ready. Fortunately, there is still time, but not much. And that is why I want to make this film. To make people think and ask these questions of themselves.
This project is a lot for one person to take on and my help is limited. Twinkle has a child now and is busy with motherhood. Kim has moved to the Midwest and is busy with school. God, in His grace, has since brought me some help in the form of Laura. She is a vocal artist and may be traveling soon, but she is willing to help as she can. Our first endeavor was to go over the script with a fine-tooth comb and look for problem areas that don’t match up with scripture or the inspired writings. She has brought up some really good points so now I have the task of figuring out how to incorporate them.
The world needs a film like this, that remains truthful to the source and what will happen, without pulling any punches. The Left Behind remake is coming out soon, as is the Noah movie. Both are bastardizations of the Bible and fuels my desire to make Leap 3 even more. What is sad though is that in order to compete, money is needed, and money is something I don’t have a lot of. My initial budget was sitting around $100k, but that was for what would still amount to a backyard film. The more I think about it, the more I think we really need $500k to attract the talent needed to pull the film off.
If anyone reading this has any ideas how to raise this kind of funding, please let me know. This burden to share the truth is growing heavier with each day and we know that time is short.
Thank you for reading, and God bless,
Chris
Nathyn
Low Budget Ninja
Write down a list of all the things you need. Get the things you can buy and pray over the things you can't. And budget out what you can't afford. One thing is you have a nice camera and can make the film look gorgeous. Find locations that can take advantage of this. Wood paneling and colorful locations are really nice. I've been experimenting with pocket cams. Kodak Playful ZE1s are great for outdoor and well lit shots. They cost about $50 each (they're not on the market anymore so you'll be buying them used or refurbished or old unsold ones). You can use them like GoPros if you find a way creative ways to attach them. Start saving small money. A $1 here a $5 there and when you get large sums of money get what you need.
Also when lacking money, you have to make what you have look really good, so it becomes about locations and camera movement. Get a Zoom H1 to help with sound and your sound will be a lot better in post. The dramatic scenes have to look really professional especially the scenes where teaching is happening, the fights have to be look better than ever. You do some pretty good chase scenes, but I don't know what kind of structures you'll have to do the Pakour over. But Leap 2 was better than Leap 1 and Leap 3 should be better than Leap 3. Unlike a Hollywood movie, the 3 movie is usually the worst, but this could be your best.
As for fund raising, I'd say you should do a bake sale or a garage sale or both. That will get you a little money. Other than that, pray about it and see where it goes from there. But really decide what it is you need the money for and if there are alternatives.
And finally do an indieGoGo instead of a Kickstarter. You'll get to keep the money that is given. And you can use it on the project as long as you furnish the stated perks. And when you do a trailer for Indiegogo show them the best clips from Leap 2 and some of the new effects you're working on for Leap 3 so they can see what you're trying to do. When you did your Kickstarter is was mainly you talking. And it didn't make any unaffiliated with Leap really care about the project. And keep the budget low, around $5000 or less. Even Epitaph: Bread and Salt didn't cost more than that. In the meantime find out all the information you can about what you're project is about.
-Nate
Also when lacking money, you have to make what you have look really good, so it becomes about locations and camera movement. Get a Zoom H1 to help with sound and your sound will be a lot better in post. The dramatic scenes have to look really professional especially the scenes where teaching is happening, the fights have to be look better than ever. You do some pretty good chase scenes, but I don't know what kind of structures you'll have to do the Pakour over. But Leap 2 was better than Leap 1 and Leap 3 should be better than Leap 3. Unlike a Hollywood movie, the 3 movie is usually the worst, but this could be your best.
As for fund raising, I'd say you should do a bake sale or a garage sale or both. That will get you a little money. Other than that, pray about it and see where it goes from there. But really decide what it is you need the money for and if there are alternatives.
And finally do an indieGoGo instead of a Kickstarter. You'll get to keep the money that is given. And you can use it on the project as long as you furnish the stated perks. And when you do a trailer for Indiegogo show them the best clips from Leap 2 and some of the new effects you're working on for Leap 3 so they can see what you're trying to do. When you did your Kickstarter is was mainly you talking. And it didn't make any unaffiliated with Leap really care about the project. And keep the budget low, around $5000 or less. Even Epitaph: Bread and Salt didn't cost more than that. In the meantime find out all the information you can about what you're project is about.
-Nate
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El Director
Veteran
I'm working on it. My youtube earnings have allowed me buy a light kit, some 5x7 diffusion and reflectors, and a Zoom H4n. I will need a new camera soon, my T2i is on it's last leg. My issue is that I need to actually pay people this time. I've shot three features and haven't paid anyone a dime except some gas and meals. To get the kind of actors I need, with the availability I need, I need to pay people. For the score, I need someone to orchestrate a bunch of hymns. Someone that knows orchestral music and has either good midi samples or has access to a small orchestra to record. Then there's the effects. While I can do most of it myself, something I will need to outsource. I won't compromise this time. I did that on ROTB and wish I had stuck it out a little longer.
I can't do this one as another "we shot it on weekends and evenings" kind of project. Not going to work.
I can't do this one as another "we shot it on weekends and evenings" kind of project. Not going to work.
Nathyn
Low Budget Ninja
One more thing, as far as actors go, honestly, it might be about that time for you to get in front of the camera. You know your own work as well as the message you want to get out. You know the moves and teach them to the others. You're young and have the look. You have to do like I did and wait until you're thirty. You're in your prime. Get a camera guy whose willing to work with you financially and shoot the thing. The music will come later and I guarantee you God will give you what you need when you need it to make a really great project. The rest is up to you.
-Nate
-Nate
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
The problem with 'message movies', is that they often allow The Message to become so dominant, and obvious, that it becomes a negative. I've been watching some amount of 'propaganda' films from the WWII era, I even watched the first episode of "Dragnet 1967" TV show on netflix a few nights ago... the 'messages' are painful to watch...
If one 'preaches to the choir'... about the only group who will be watching is the choir.
When I think of films that sort of fit into what I believe 'Leap' may be... I think of something like "V for Vendetta"(2005), "Children of Men"(2006), "Book of Eli"(2010) for 'recent examples', or even now 'classic apocalyptic/post apocalyptic' films such as the "Road Warrior"(1981) ("Mad Max"(1979) isn't quite the same, and "Mad Max Beyond Thunder Dome"(1985) is too 'out there'...).
There's also "Tomorrow, When the War Began"(2010).
But all these 'modern' films have many features that increase the budget... special effects, 'army', 'street battles', etc that would be killers for the budgets that ordinary mortals can drum up.
Even more 'interesting' would be to look at a film like "Glen and Randa"(1971)... this film was shot in northern California and Oregon as I recall, and the 'productions values' are well... pretty minimal... but the film has 'stuck with me' for 40 years... (Everyone else 'remembers' "A Boy and His Dog"(1975) which stars a youthful but relatively unknown Don Johnson (perhaps he's now gone back to be relatively unknown...)).
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El Director
Veteran
That is basically what I'm looking at doing, but I want to pay the main actors a fair wage for fair work. My T2i now requires about 5 seconds of recording before I can introduce any motion into the scene, otherwise it buffers out. Not going to cut it on a movie like this. Unless I can raise a large enough budget to get a C300, I will be purchasing another Canon APS-C DSLR that can run Magic Lantern. Probably a T3i or 60D (not a fan of the touch screen on newer models). I want to stay with Canon because of Magic Lantern and the pictures styles I've adopted from VisionColor. I want to stay with APS-C to keep a more traditional film look, as the 5D line has a sensor that is larger than 35mm motion picture film, whereas and APS-C chip is almost the same size as motion 35mm.
El Director
Veteran
As far as acting, due to the VFX, I really feel I should stay behind the camera, at least on this film. If I can't find someone to play the new male lead, then yes, I would consider it as I know a few camera guys I would consider trusting.
Hopefully, this movie will be a character piece that anyone can enjoy, and the message is natural byproduct of the story.
El Director
Veteran
Just a a quick plug for Adobe Story: Its awesome. All my scripts and ideas are in one place and the collaborative aspect of it is fantastic. My friend who is helping me with reviews is four hours away, but we just jump on the phone and see instantly any changes or thoughts the other person has.
As a side note, I set up my whiteboard the other day. I've used one on all my previous features and find it works better for me than a smart phone ☺
As a side note, I set up my whiteboard the other day. I've used one on all my previous features and find it works better for me than a smart phone ☺
El Director
Veteran
Exciting news! Meeting with Kim this week to discuss how we can pull this flick off for $10k or less. I think, provided I can shoot it in one go, and assuming I can pay my actors for taking a few weeks off from work, that we should be able to do it, no problem. I'm finishing the post on my latest short film, Becoming Bourne, and have been using it as a testing ground for camera, look, effects etc... I have a few more shorts planned and all of them will incorporate technical elements from Leap 3, allowing me to learn and test the skills now. In the meantime, I'm doing my 6th draft. Not much is changing, but I'm adding a subplot and changing some locations to accommodate a low budget.
Cryogenic Filmworks
Veteran
Kool. :thumbsup:
El Director
Veteran
First day of photography (sort of). I'm in Grand Rapids, MI at the moment for ASI (big convention) and I was enamored by the architecture. I kicked myself for not bringing my T2i to shoot some establishing shot plates (some CG work will be done), but then I remembered that I have Filmic Pro on my phone that lets me shoot full HD at 24p. The shots came out great and I'll post some before/afters when I have a chance to work on them, but I'm excited! I also cast a female lead yesterday as well as came up with a new summary.
The End of the World. This is a topic that has sparked the curiosity of many and has been the center of countless speculations.
It is a concept that so many have questioned and feared. Will the world end? How is it going to end?
Is there any hope for our race? This is the question facing the world as the Leap trilogy
concludes with it's epic finale, Leap: Revelation.
This time, Shane Turner is joined by a new parkour crew, Urban Grace, as well as a young married couple.
They are forced to flee the city when martial law is enforced and find refuge in the safety of the mountains.
The nations, ravished by natural disaster are facing global economic collapse and many are claiming the world is nearing its end.
The passing of Sunday Sabbath laws have done little to appease the Lord as was expected.
As probation closes and the seven plagues begin, Shane and the new Leap crew are torn apart as friends and family
find themselves on opposite sides at the outpouring of God's judgments and ultimately, the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The End of the World. This is a topic that has sparked the curiosity of many and has been the center of countless speculations.
It is a concept that so many have questioned and feared. Will the world end? How is it going to end?
Is there any hope for our race? This is the question facing the world as the Leap trilogy
concludes with it's epic finale, Leap: Revelation.
This time, Shane Turner is joined by a new parkour crew, Urban Grace, as well as a young married couple.
They are forced to flee the city when martial law is enforced and find refuge in the safety of the mountains.
The nations, ravished by natural disaster are facing global economic collapse and many are claiming the world is nearing its end.
The passing of Sunday Sabbath laws have done little to appease the Lord as was expected.
As probation closes and the seven plagues begin, Shane and the new Leap crew are torn apart as friends and family
find themselves on opposite sides at the outpouring of God's judgments and ultimately, the second coming of Jesus Christ.