Below is topics that we will look at in CGT 246 and a list of resources for learning compositing using Blackmagic Fusion. As a professor I am software agnostic, but I choose to use Fusion for compositing as it is very reasonably priced for the features it boasts and there is a free version.
Overview of Class
CGT 24600 Compositing I Instructor: Daniel P. Triplett; A. Description: This course focuses on applying node-based video compositing techniques as applied to 3D visual effects and animation. Students explore the major areas of video compositing, including node-based workflows, integration with 3D animation and visual effects tools, image tracking, rotoscoping, and chroma keying. Special emphasis is placed on creating aesthetically pleasing video composites using production tools and techniques. B. Course Objectives:
Implement video composite using node-based compositing tools
Apply color correcting techniques
Given a multichannel render, properly composite it into a final product
Apply common compositing techniques
Integrate 3D renders and video in an aesthetically pleasing manner
Any reference book on your choice of composting package
Access to an HD or 4K Video camera.
We do not check out cameras
Media
D. Scale: This course assigns grades as A, B, C, D, F. The +/- system is not used in this course. 90 - 100% A 80 - 89% B 70 - 79% C 60 - 69% D 0 - 59% F Questions and Email Response Time.I will be answering class related emails during my office hours. On the average that means approximately a 12 to 24 hour turnaround time. All technical and class related questions should be posted on the message boards prior to emailing the TA and/or instructor. Grading & Assignments:Points Title Description
points: 950 Skills Development Practical assignments will concentrate on learning how to use the software and concepts to solve VFX compositing problems.
Note: The skills assignments take varying amounts of time based on the complexity of the assigned tasks. Please check the schedule in section “Due Dates” for due dates (last page)
points: 600 ebooks The technical/theory assignments concentrate on building your technical knowledge of digital video.
You will get individualized assignments from the ebook and turn them in directly to the publisher.
These are due by Wednesday at 9:00 PM of each week starting with the eBook1 assignment due on the Wed of the second week of classes. The 2nd chapter one would be due on Wed of the 3rd week, the 3rd chapter due on the Wed of the 4th week, etc. Please check the schedule in section “Due Dates” for due dates (last page)
points: 500 Final Exam You will be asked to solve a set of Visual Effects tasks in a test scenario while documenting the process that you have used to solve the problems. Final Exam is due on Wed of Final’s week.
points: 500 Project 1 Fusion VFX and Tutorial Project
points: 500 Final Project Multiclass group project
points: 200 Portfolio You are to submit:
A link to YouTube video that illustrates your VFX skills. This will be shown publically by the department.
Screenshot of your completed student evaluation
If any item is missing this will not be graded and you will receive a zero on this assignment. In other words, each and every single one of these items must of be present in order you to get any points for this assignment.
points: 3250 Total for Course
F. Schedule of Topics: (Note: Order of Topics may change.) Weekly Topics
Weekly Topics 1 Intro Course Compositing Intro
Scene: Maltese Falcon Time to Kill
2 Masking
Editing for Time/Space Potemkin, The Gift
3 Tracking
Continuity Principles Match Cutting, 180 line, leading with audio
4 Compositing
Role of Camera: Objective vs. subjective
5 Compositing
Principles of cinematography Exposure, color temperature
6 Compositing
Lenses
7 Types of Tracking
8 Matchmoving
9 Integration with 3D
10 Compression
11 Compression
12 Delivery
13 360 video
14 Streaming
15 Emerging Technologies
16
17 Final Exam
Due Dates I. Skills, Projects, Exams, Assignments
Skills 1,2:
Due Aug 27, 2018
Skills 3:
Due Sept 3, 2018
Skills 4:
Due Sept 10, 2018
Skills 5:
Due Sept 17, 2018
Portfolio:
Due Dec 7, 2018
Project 1:
Due Oct 9, 2018
Project 2 (Final Project):
Due Dec 7, 2018
Final Exam:
Due on Wed of Finals Week
II. eBook Assignments:
eBook 1 – Wed of Week 2
eBook 2— Wed of Week 3
eBook 3 – Wed of Week 4
eBook 4— Wed of Week 5
eBook 5 – Wed of Week 6
eBook 6— Wed of Week 7
Instructor Office HoursOffice hours are by appointment, but I will see you if you show up and I have no appointments. Though I will not accept an interruption to an appointment with a student. This means if I have an appointment and you show up to my office as a walk-in, you will need to quietly walk past my office without interrupting. If you show up and I have 5 minutes before an appointment I will talk with you for 5 minutes until the appointment starts, but no later.
Email Correspondence All email correspondence has the following requirements:
The email subject line must be as follows:
CGT 246 – XX (Subject). If this requirement is not met the email will be trashed without being read. (XX = Section)
I do not answer email after 5:30pm or before 7:30am and I do not answer issues with the assignments the night before the assignment is due. Please work on the assignment before the night it is due and if you need help see me during office hours or our meeting times.
Meeting Times We will meet as a class a number of times during the semester. I am aiming for Friday's to be the most likely open time to meet, but will try to accommodate, schedules as best as possible. In some cases it may be impossible to accommodate everybody's schedule, in these cases I will video the experience and share it over BBL with everyone.