Time Lapse/Pixelation Question/Challenge

nedcam

nedcam

Well-known member
A client has asked me to do a new visual style of instructional video that you've probably been seeing a lot of lately. They seem to be done by professional animator/graphic artists. To see what I mean visit:

http://www.commoncraft.com/network

It may be done with DSLRs using a cable release, or bursts of frames? Does anyone know how to do this? My low tech way would be to just roll and roll and have the editor cut out the pixellator's hand when it comes in, or speed it up in post when they want a "fast" look. But that presents a LOT of extra work for the editor. To see how they did it you can check out:

http://www.commoncraft.com/blog/making

Some of this is obviously sped up in post, I'd rather not mess with undercranking at the time, there's enough to deal with. My question is: IS THERE A WAY I CAN DO A "BURST" OF FRAMES? OR SINGLE FRAMES WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CAMERA MORE THAN ONCE? Perhaps the best way is the low tech "Let it roll" way?

I own the Panasonic HPX 300.

Thanks for any advice.
 
I'd have defined 'time lapse' as being animation which automatically shoots 1 frame per second (or minute, or hour or whatever), which then appears sped up when played back at normal speed. There are special software applications which can do this, controlling a suitable camera (including any normal DV camera, I'd expect your HPX300 would work fine) while it's connected to the computer (usually via firewire).

But your examples look to me more like stop motion animation - exactly the same principle except the animator manually presses a button to record each single frame whenever they've moved the picture elements around enough. Have a look at http://www.stopmotionpro.com/ which I personally recommend.

In both cases, you record directly to the computer, the camera records nothing.
 
You can do it with a DSLR using the internal storage and a script for fixing the minor exposure flicker that will be on the output. But it is rather hard if you have no experience in animation (motion, rhythm, keyframe planning etc).

Video leaves more options in post and it will feel more natural. The cuts are very simple. It will probably take less time and you will be more satisfied with the results.

Remember this? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmMwKBMse_w
 
This can be done rather easily using a DSLR and an intervalometer which hooks up to the camera and has it automatically take frames at specific time intervals. Shutter speed and camera buffer limits are the only things that limit the duration between frames. A good DSLR and proper lighting will virtually eliminate any exposure variation from frame to frame.

In theory, using a Canon Mark III, you could shoot 8 frames a second but would need a really big memory card and would have to shoot using file sizes smaller than the max capable of the camera for the buffer to keep up. You would probably also need to use a continuous light source.

If you did not want to do it as a continuous, automated sequence, the intervalometer for Canon cameras allows you to manually fire frames from the device just like if you were pressing the shutter release. Think of it as a cable release on steroids.

You can then animate the stills into a video using quicktime. Here is a great how to video by Philip Bloom on the animation technique.

http://www.vimeo.com/7127489
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top