p1 is at the bottom below p2
P2: Explain how visual effects are used to generate audio-visual content
Digital Compositing
Digital compositing is the process of layering multiple images, effects or elements digitally to produce a final image. This in turn results in an enhanced shot. This can be seen in the following clip from the Wolf of Wall Street where, between 1:39 and 1:54, we see how the background buildings, water and boats are all layered together over the original footage to make the scene more realistic and believable as it makes the location seem more foreign and authentic.
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Blue Screen
Blue screens are used as a solid background colour to film against so that they can later be chroma keyed and replaced with any image or video. Blue screens are predominantly used against non human objects. There also used over green screens in some occasions because they are easier to colour correct and result in less colour spill. Additionally due to it's need of a lot of light to work well it works perfectly at replicating night time conditions. In the clip, between 0:47 and 0:48, we see the screen being used against actors to show them going towards the planet while in a space ship. This adds to the realism and excitement in the shot as it is more immersive.
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Green Screen
Blue screens are used as a solid background colour to film against so that they can later be chroma keyed and replaced with any image or video. Green screens are predominantly used against most objects as it creates the least amount of noise without a complicated lighting setup. Due to it's high amounts of light it is ideal for day time environments as it'll blend in with them perfectly. In the clip, during the times of 0:55 to 1:00, you can see the green screen being used against a character who is riding a broom. In post production the green screen is keyed out and replaced with a different background to give an impression of the character flying which adds to the realism and makes the scene more believable.
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Computer Generated Imagery (CGI)
CGI, or computer generated imagery, is the process of adding still or animated visual content. Both 2D and 3D, it can be added through imaging and visual effect software. In the clip to the right you can see it being used between 15:57 and 16:13 in post production in order to transform Benedict Cumberbatch into a dragon for the film, The Hobbit. This is done in order to make the scene and character look believable and overwhelming as a practical effect would be made into that size and realism. This adds to the scene and to the audience experience as it makes it more threatening and exciting for the audience.
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Mattes
Matte painting are flat paintings which are either painted by traditional paint or pencil or by digital painting. It is then used as a background against real actors. In turn it results with a believable background which may not have otherwise been achieved with a real location. You can see it all throughout the clip such as between 1:29 and 1:33 which shows a scene from The Hobbit where the background is painting and the only real thing are the actors, the path they're walking on and a tree in front of them to the left side of the path. This makes the scene more overwhelming for the audience as any background can be painted. It also looks realistic and believable to the audience.
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Morphing
Morphing is the process of transforming one element into another during post-production without any cuts, leaving a smooth transition into the other form. You can see this done in the clip to the right from 0:11 to 0:56 where the people are morphed into one another and so on. This is done in order to prevent the cuts from looking like they're cut together as it would reduce the flow of the dance that each actor is performing and wouldn't go well with the music. Over all it enhances audience viewing by increasing quality and excitement of the sequence through keeping it's flow intact.
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Rotoscoping
Rotoscoping is the process of adding elements into the video by hand and frame by frame. This is usually done when the scene requires a moving object which couldn't otherwise we done well enough through CGI or any other process. This is done during the clip listed to the right through out the whole video where each frame is drawn by hand that includes the drawn on character and background.
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3D Graphics
3D Graphics is the process of adding realistic 3D elements using CGI. They're used when the desired effect is too expensive to be done practically or in any other way or if the desired effect would simply be impossible to create. You can see it being used in the clip to the right from 2:22 onwards where the bike object is created from air which wouldn't be able to be practically. This enhances the audiences experience of the scene as it looks realistic and impressive. It makes the scene more immersive.
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P1: Explain how special effects are used to enhance audio-visual content
Mechanised Props
Mechanised props are practical effects which include robotics and animatronics. They are used to create realistic and believable characters or props without using CGI which can be less convincing at times. In the clip on the right during 38:30 to 40:00 you can see a mechanised prop being created and used for the character of Jubba the Hutt in the film, Star Wars. Due to the props actually being there the actors around it can act more realistically as they have something to interact with and the prop doesn't look computer generated so in turn the audience get a more immersive and gripping to watch.
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Stunt Props
Stunt props are props which are used to replicate a real element but in a safe way as the real element could pose danger is used in the scene. This could range from using sugar glass to replicated bottles or windows being smashed to fake guns in order to minimise danger. An example of this can be seen in the included clip where, between 0:50 and 1:50, the character uses a fake rubber axe in order to strike toward the actors hand so that if she'd strike him she wouldn't injure his hand. This adds to the excitement of the scene as the audience is put in a sense of danger and chance towards the character being hit by the axe.
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Scale Models
A scale model is a physical manifest of an object, which still has the accurate relationship between all vital aspects of the model, although most values of the original properties don't need to be the same. The clip included shows this take place, the scale model being created is of Hogwarts from Harry Potter. It can be seen from 0:08 till the end of the video. They probably used a scale model as the location was very specific and couldn't be found in real life. On the other hand they couldn't use CGI and 3D graphics as it may not have looked as realistic. Overall it enhances the audience's experience by making the scene more immersive.
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