For the Post-Production and VFX module, we were assigned the task of creating a 60 second visual effect sequece for one of the following:
- A TV commercial
- A video game cutscene, opening, intro or other action sequence
- The opening or ending of a Film or TV Show
- A particular sequence in a Film or TV Show
- A Music Video
- Or other sequence agreed with the Module Co-ordinator.
Planning and Research
I first wanted to experiment with something like a video-game cutscene, so I began storyboarding a narrative about a witch, because I thought it would be interesting to link this module together with my 1st year production pieces of Environment Design.
Reflecting on the feedback given to me from previous assignments, I tried using Adobe Capture to take a picture of the initial sketches that I had drawn rather than showcasing just the initial sketches on paper, but the quality of the scan wasn’t clear enough to show my rough drawings in detail.
I drew out my initial concept on paper but ultimately decided against the idea of the video-game cutscene, because I wanted to do a music video instead.
I was reminded of a song that I really liked and wanted to create a music video for it. The song ‘好像掉進愛情海裡’ by 趙露思 & 谷嘉誠 (It Seems to Fall Into The Sea of Love by Lusi Zhao & Jason Koo) (趙露思 & 谷嘉誠, 2018) is one of the OST for the CDrama ‘Oh! My Emperor’.
As the assignemnt states for the video to be 60 seconds long, I needed to cut the song from 3 minutes to 60 seconds. I did this within Microsoft Clipchamp.
I added the MP3 audio of the song then clicked an area which I wanted the audio to be split, right-clicked then selected split. I used this tool throughout the song to cut the appropriate parts to ensure the audio sounded fluid, then exported as an MP3.
This was a necessary step to do first as it enables me to create initial ideas of the sequence to sync up with the song.
Based on the CDrama itself, it’s set in ancient China and taking inspiration from a book that I enjoyed reading, I wanted to create a music video based off of relationship between the protagonist and their romantic interest.
The initial idea was to have an opening scene of an establishing shot of the moon with a close-up of cherry blossom trees. The visual effect of the falling cherry blossom petal would be the main focus for the first shot.
I would have the camera follow the falling petal until it lands onto the table. From there, the camera would zoom out and reveal two individuals. This was initially conceptualised to be a flashback scene to then fade out to see one of the inidividual looking at the moon. Then it would cut to a close-up of rain hitting against an umbrella and then another close-up of rain splashing against the stone ground.
I created a VFX list to note down the different visual effects that I needed to create so I could then proceed to do research on how to create them within Unreal Engine. I also created a list of different camera sequences to remind myself of different camera shots that I could incorporate into my music video so there’s a variety.
As I had applied for an extension for this assignment, I had more time to think and plan about the details of the storyboarding; I thought about the past assignments I had already created and realised that majority of them were set in a non-modern setting and I decided that I wanted to experiment with something a bit more modern as I hadn’t created anything like that before.
My next idea was to create a music video (using the same song) but in a modern and possibly futuristic setting.
Initial Storyboard Concept
As the scanned photographs of my sketches were low quality, I decided to do my concept art in Clip Studio Paint to create my sketches digitally for a more coherent storyboard.
I first downloaded a free layer template for storyboarding within the Clip Studio Paint asset store (GHOSTLOGIC, 2021) and proceeded to create the storyboard draft.
Once I was satisfied with the storyboard, I moved on to create the animatic to better present my storyboard idea.
Narrative
I intend for this music video to tell a romance story, because the lyrics that are being sang in the song that I chose talk about love between two people.
The story begins by introducing two characters as they fly towards Earth from outer space. They’re seen falling through the skies and losing control of their flying ability as they plummet down to Earth. One lands gracefully while the other lands flat on their face. The following scene shows the two characters conversing with each other and a flashback happens as they reminisce on their past; they’re shown singing together and flashforward happens where they’re seen running through a field in a rush to see the fireworks. They reach the hill and sit down together to watch the fireworks.
Animatic
I went into Clip Studio Paint and created the frames for the animatic. Once each frame was done, I exported them as PNGs and imported them into Adobe After Effects. As well as the music, I also decided that I wanted to have fireworks sound effects in my video; therefore, I found a free sound on Pixabay and incorporated it into my video (AudioCoffee, 2023).
VFX List
- Stars
- Space dust
- Clouds
- Falling (action lines)
- Splat (action line)
- Exclamation mark speech bubble
- Leaf/dirt/rocks (from person falling onto the ground)
- Laughing tears
- Soul coming from body
- Leaves falling
- Bubbles
- Music notes
- Running (action lines)
- Petals falling
- Fireworks
Storyboard Notes
The beginning starts out in a Space setting and the camera pans along, showing the stars and space dust that decorate the atmosphere. The camera continues to pan until planet Earth comes into view (same duration as the introduction instrumentals) and once it is fully in view, the camera stops to create an establishing shot of the atmosphere. When the singing begins, two people fly into frame and the camera remains still.
The camera will cut to the next scene of clouds. The camera will be moving downwards and eventually two people will come into frame, showing them falling through the clouds; once the people are centered in the frame, the camera will stop.
Next, the camera will cut to the next scene showing a grassy environment with trees surrounding the area. The camera will be stationary, and two people will come into view as they are falling down to Earth. When the people land, it will cut to the next scene of Person A laughing at Person B as they fall flat on their face and then Person A comforting Person B. The camera will cut again to the next scene showing an over-the-shoulder shot of them sitting next to each other and talking, the camera will pan upwards to show the stars and moon.
Fade-to-black to transition to the next scene. A fade-in to show a close-up shot of a drink with bubbles. Cut to next scene of the camera panning across the new environment of the karaoke room. When the panning stops, the camera remains static to show music notes to indicate music being played and the two people singing.
Cut to next scene of the two people running across the same grassy field from earlier. Cut to the next scene, camera is positioned behind the two people as they are sat down and watching the stars. Cherry blossom petals fall down. Fireworks event begins and the camera pans up to the stars.
Fade-to-black to end.
趙露思 & 谷嘉誠 (2018) 好像掉進愛情海裡 (合唱版). Spotify [Streamed]. Available online: https://open.spotify.com/track/2CDrVidQo0jWYCfGqtWLDV?si=1d893d8537df407f [Accessed 13/11/2023].
AudioCoffee (2023) New Year Fireworks (Sound3). Available online: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/new-year-fireworks-sound3-180204/ [Accessed 23/05/2024].
GHOSTLOGIC (2021) Storyboard Layout (simple). Available online: https://assets.clip-studio.com/en-us/detail?id=1829958 [Accessed 10/05/2024].
Sue Lynn Tan (2022) DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS is out in the UK today – my Chang’e inspired fantasy of immortals, magic and love! I am holding the book of my heart in my hands, and am so grateful 💖 [Twitter]. Available online: https://twitter.com/SuelynnTan/status/1484136384604479493?t=-wtXJ1PfDI-4V9Ozs5Z06Q&s=19 [Accessed 13/11/2023]