Personal Project -A Journey Into Visual Effects

- Concept -

 To create a short action sequence of about 1 - 2 minutes

 Combining both life footage and CGI renders

 To experiment with particle effects

 To learn how to use match moving efficiently


Aims objectives and activities

1. Objective:
To research all appropriate formats for my project

Activates:
1.1: Investigate existing and future technologies that help special effects artist combine mixed media realistically.
1.2: Look at current benchmarks in special effects within film and investigate how these results where achieved
1.2: Investigate my project idea further into the fields of matchmoving and particle/ fluid creation in Maya

2. Objective:
Determine what software and tools will be required for my proposed project

2.1: Investigate all available sources at my disposal.
2.2: Identify what exactly I want to achieve with my project and to what standard.
2.3: Run a series of test to identify if the software is capable of what I want to achieve with my project.

3. Objective:
Investigate various styles and techniques and determine which would be suitable for my specific filming requirements.

3.1: Investigate a wide variety of action films and study the filming styles and techniques of the actions scenes.
3.2: To identify what the limitations could be due to my hardware/ software/ time schedule.
3.3: To break my visual style down into different concepts.
3.4: To experiment and chose which visual style is best for my project requirements.

4. Objective:
Produce a Script.

4.1: To plan a script considering each action scene as I progress.
4.2: Identify camera movement and shot angles.
4.3: Identify which shots will have special effects in them.
4.4: Identify the required audio.
4.5: Identify what props and equipment will be needed.

5. Objective:
Produce a 1-2 minute short film focusing on action and special effects.

5.1: To film all of the shots on set with actors/ probs.
5.2: Select the required shots and files.
5.3: Produce required 3D models.
5.4: Edit files that require special effects appropriately.
5.5: Render required CGI components.
5.6: Track each shot appropriately and combine with CGI elements.
5.7: Edit all completed compositions together into a final sequence and export as a movie file.

6. Objectives:
Present my project to a professional standard

6.1:Make a CD cover.
6.2: Burn movie to DVD.
6.3: Mount up necessary screenshots and key development images.
6.4:Bind Dissertation.
6.5: Prepare all material for degree show.

Here is my Gantt chart showing my projects time scale.