For those of you unaware, SUPERHEROES is a web series I started in 2003. It ran for 4 months and we had 5 episodes. In 2006, due to the series’ popularity, we decided to make a sixth episode, but we failed. This is the story of that failure! Each day we’ll release scenes from the unfinished film along with bits from the actual script so you can follow along. In between you can listen to Jared and I ramble on about everything, especially the stuff we didn’t shoot, and guide you through the world that would’ve been “Episode 6 – Quest for Vengeance.” Enjoy!
DAY 1 VIDEO: QuickTime, YouTube
DAY 1 SCRIPT: right click d/l here
Or… how to composite someone into a shot so it LOOKS like they’re being hit by a car. We accomplished this in our film “Freddy” using AE and Premiere.
First lock down the camera on a tripod. Get one shot with Freddy standing there, one shot of just the background with the car driving past, and one clean shot of the background (called the background plate or back plate). Now you have all your elements.
Use the pen tool in Adobe After Effects to create a matte and patch the shots together. At the moment of desired impact, make a mask around Freddy and animate it so he rotates, like he’s getting hit and thrown out of frame. Apply motion blur or other effects if you’d like.
A similar effect could probably be accomplished frame-by-frame in Adobe Photoshop. But the AE route is much easier and more efficient.
Muzzle flashes done well can really add production value to your movie. I create the muzzle flashes in Adobe Photoshop frame-by-frame using the paintbrush tool.
Export your gun shot clip as a filmstrip file then import that into Photoshop. You’ll see the sequence frame-by-frame. I create a new layer over the filmstrip file and set the layer to “color burn.â€
Then I just paint something that looks like a muzzle flash (to me, at least) over two consecutive frames. Sometimes I use the blur tool to further shape the muzzle flash.
Then save the filmstrip file and re-import it into Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Avid, Sony Vegas, or your NLE of choice.
Alternatively, you can create muzzle flashes in Adobe Premiere or After Effects by overlaying still images of muzzle flashes onto your video and then keying out the background.
Most microphones come with a “windscreen.” This does exactly what it sounds like, it screens the wind from your microphone and thus your recording. But sometimes, especially on very windy days, a simple windscreen is not enough.
That’s where blimps and softies come into play (also called zeppelins and dead cats, because well… you can figure it out). These are larger windscreens made from different materials that prevent bigger gusts of wind from disrupting your audio signal. Click to check out some blimps and softies at B&H Photo/Video Online.
Another common noise problem arises from mic handling. You think its wind causing your noisy audio, but it may just be small movements from your hands, body, boom pole or even camera. In this case, you should get a shock mount. These contraptions mount to your boom pole or camera, and use rubber bands or other material to stabilize your mic and prevent handling noise. Click here to check out some shock mounts at B&H.
Where did you buy the prop assault rifle seen in TMTTTJ and Hamlet?
It’s an airsoft gun. I bought it off eBay for around $30.00 if I remember correctly. eBay is a great place to look for cheap props/costumes/etc.
I also recommend finding an army surplus store in your area. In Fresno alone there are 3 stores, so you should be able to find something in your locale. If not, check out Major Surplus and Survival. http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com