Boom!

Here's the promised battle VFX test video.

Description:

Short video testing Visual FX and props for an upcoming film. The costume here is very ww2/Korean war, but the film we are testing for is to be set in WW1 and revolves around ANZACS of Asian descent. Rifle carved from wood with simple door bolt screwed on for the 'bolt-action' - it's meant to be a Lee Enfield MkIII* and still needs some finishing touches. Helmet and packs from Mitchells and Aussie Disposals. Jacket is an old one my dad used when he was in the UK.

Shot on Nikon d3s + Nikkor 28-70mm, f/2.8.
Composited in AfterEffects CS4. Editing + Sound Mix in Premiere CS4.
Visual elements from Video Copilot's 'Action Essentials 2'.
Colour grading with Red Giant's 'Magic Bullet Looks'.

This footage was shot as a quick test of the 5dMkII and d3s for rolling shutter artifacts and performance in low light. Rolling shutter on both were negligible, and the Nikon out performed the Canon in low light, thanks to its amazing ISO capabilities.
d3s is our favourite because of its low light performance, and its much sharper images.

Please note that this was a quick test of several things, and not a proper controlled test. We just wanted to shoot some war stuff with two great cameras!

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That's a wrap!

Finally, the camera's of stopped rolling for principle photography on my short films. There are a few pickup shoots to follow, but the bulk of the two films have been recorded onto digital celluloid, better known as CF cards.

It's been a long haul, filled with interesting experiences both old and new, but the journey isn't finished - yet. Editing will continue till the films are ready to be released to the critical eyes of you, the public. The 'real' work of putting the film together will now occupy my time, as well as eeking out points of discussion for m exegesis which is still to be properly drafted (I feel so screwed now...).
I will be working my hardest to ensure my vision is as understandable as I hope it to be, and then it shall be released, at which point the film will no longer be in my hands but in the hands of people who will really make the meaning of the films known - the audience. I can only hope that I have the skills to be able to communicate it properly in my chosen medium, video/film, and that it is engaging enough for you, as the audience to actually pay any attention to them.

Anyway, below are stills from Going Home, which we wrapped on Saturday.

You may notice that the meal being eaten by the family in this film is the most Western of takes on Asian cuisine... and it's supposed to be Chinese New Year Dinner... poor planning and limited resources... but not to worry, it can be edited around.

On Tuesday, I shot the short Romantic Comedy 'Dumplings'. It was just the one night shoot, which we shot at the bookstore I work at - Academic and General bookstores. Just about a guy who wants to ask his co-worker out. Nothing terrible original, but it was fun to shoot. No stills from that, but it should be a quick edit.

Also, stay tuned for from test VFX footage for a possible WW1 trailer on ANZACS of Asian descent.

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Production

Going Home is almost finished! Last day of shooting is this Saturday (not including pickups, if we have any).

It's been a great experience, and my first real, proper taste at directing. The actors have been great to work with - Daniel Wu as the lead, and Kareem Ford Sarhan in a small part.

We shot the first scene last Saturday, and it was great to work on the dynamics of characters with two fantastic actors. Definitely daunting at first, but I'm getting used to it.

Below are some production stills. The first few is us on location at Flinders St Station. It was great to get permission to film at this iconic station of Melbourne, so thanks to Metro for their kind support.

The second lot is us at my RMIT post grad room., We re-created an office is that space with two computer screens, two sets of keyboards and mice, one phone, cups, pens and pieces of paper. I reckon it looks 'office-y' enough given what we had.

There's also some stills of our actor Daniel, taken with my Pentax k7 with the 50mm f1.7

The stills were taken by either my k7 or changas d3s. Awesome cameras.

Film will be finished soon, and will hopefully be able to upload more videos soon.

Watch this space.

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