The budgerigar video is meant to educate an audience about the anatomy of a budgie with moving type and image. The intended mood of the video is somewhat informative but at the same time witty and playful.
During the video, a series of closely cropped images, accompanied by type are used to demonstrate to the viewer the parts of the budgie anatomy. A close crop is more effective than a distant one because it magnifies the various parts of the budgies and forces the audience to really pay attention. Grey is the colour used for type and extra elements throughout much of the video until the end when the bird’s view is demonstrated by a burst of colour.
The concept of this video stems from the footage of homicide locations in Toronto. The objective is to reveal the dirty side of the city and despite its supposed security, there is still violence and death.
The footage is time reversed, to symbolize the return to the moment of crime. The reversed style is suitable and effective in comparison to regular video footage because it is an oddity and suggests a different way to look at the city. The sepia/faded colour treatment also suggests a sense of nostalgia, once again complimenting the idea of returning to the moment of the crime.
The type comments on the crimes scenes, letting the viewer know how the individual died at a particular scene. The type aims to be integrated into the location footage in terms of perspective (making type seem like it is painted/projected onto a wall or moving with the cars).
This assignment has taught me how to use the displacement map effect, its limits and reactions to type, which is different from its reaction to images. I’ve also learned to manipulate the corner pin effect, which, for type that does not change perspectives, is very effective and useful in comparison to using a camera.
I’ve learned to create layering between text and images using masks, for example, cars that run over text and hide it, only to reveal text once the car passes, also, the woman that was moving backwards with the baby carriage while a car supposedly hits her. The use of final cut introduced me to its basic controls which I hope to work more with in the future.
Mistakes not to be repeated:
1) When filming, film longer than necessary, better to have more than less.
2) Type does not always have to be moving dynamically in a scene, sometimes it is more effective still or slightly moving.
3) Effectively Pre-compose items in after effects, or layering becomes messy and work becomes less efficient.
4) Allow the time needed to read the type determine the length of the video, not the other way around.
Here is the first video I compiled for the narrative using a DIY steadicam. Shots need to be retaken on a tripod as it doesn’t make sense to use a steadicam for still shots. I guess I became too excited about using it. Goal for taking next shots: leave the camera alone, let it sit and record instead of moving it around.
The chosen clip is from the movie Liar Liar starring Jim Carrey.
A slanted perspective was used near the end of the film to increase the feeling of the dramatic narrative. The colours red and blue were used to display what the character was trying to say, and what the character was able to achieve in saying. The effect used to animate “Riiiii” is called turbulent displace.
The intended tone of the animation is very friendly and playful. This is supported by the yellow and black palate that reminds the viewer of a cute bumblebee and the use of Cooper as the typeface which exudes a welcoming feel. The words are placed on a slant to create a feel of depth.
