VSFX 130 - Visual Effects-based Cinematogtaphy

2D Motion Tracking in Shake

Project Summary:
Experiment with compositing software and techniques in order to create a short film with an added element that tracks within the background footage. Green screen techniques can be used but are not required.

Results:
Click on the image to the right to see the final movie.

The image at left to shows the Shake node tree for this movie. Group 1 contains the thought balloon text, it's scrolling movement, and the mask for both. Group 2 contains the balloon itself and the nodes controlling it's movement, one tracking my ear and the other making corrective adjustments to the track. Group 3 is a duplicate of Group 2 but adjusted to create the balloon's shadow on the back wall. Group 4 is the background footage including a series of nodes used to help correct for the inherent low-fidelity in the MiniDV format's color space.