How Hard Is It?

Abraxas Studios · May 25, 2012

Hello,

I've got a series that I'm just starting, there will be some effects in it that I need some help with. I am currently on a search for a VFX artist (If you can do this please PM me)

I was just wondering how hard it is to do things such as realistic magic, I've seen a lot of attempts on the youtube, and to be quite honest, 90% are terrible.

How hard is it to create realistic magic? Is this something that a fairly new VFX artist could do or should I look for someone with a lot of experience?

Sorry that this is a bit of a vague question.

Spencer

bird · May 25, 2012

There are a few VFX artist members, here, who are soliciting for jobs. Hopefully they will see this thread. Perhaps you can describe what effects you need? Georges Melies was able to construct rudimentary, yet convincing *magic* shots with a simple straight cut, so I'm sure whatever you need done, one of the artists here can help with a solution, they just need more info.

Abraxas Studios · May 25, 2012

bird said:
There are a few VFX artist members, here, who are soliciting for jobs. Hopefully they will see this thread. Perhaps you can describe what effects you need? Georges Melies was able to construct rudimentary, yet convincing *magic* shots with a simple straight cut, so I'm sure whatever you need done, one of the artists here can help with a solution, they just need more info.

That's good to hear. So here's some more info:

I need the "Fus Roh Dah" (This would need to be shown from the side and from in front, it looks a bit like a distortion of the air, slightly blue), things such as fireballs (close ups of them forming and then firing) possibly some sky and background replacement, Lightening bolts, magic shields, time slowing down (Leaves paused in mid-air etc)

EDIT: also there is one scene where someones eyes and mouth widen and turn black, then black smoke pours out of their mouth, followed by them bursting in to black flames

I hope that's enough detail, if anyone wants to know any more then please just ask away

Ewan · May 25, 2012

I've been studying VFX for the past year and a half and I'm ok at it. I don't know if I could do all that but I'm sure it's not too hard to conjur up some of the effects in After Effects then composite it onto the footage you shot.

WalterB · May 25, 2012

Magic is never realistic

The trick is to make it part of the shot, instead of layered on top of the shot.
I guess that involves ray-tracing and algorythms to make it flow 'naturally' (like water, wind, fire or electricity). A lot can be done with plugins, just using the plugin is rarely enough.

Abraxas Studios · May 25, 2012

WalterB said:
Magic is never realistic

The trick is to make it part of the shot, instead of layered on top of the shot.
I guess that involves ray-tracing and algorythms to make it flow 'naturally' (like water, wind, fire or electricity). A lot can be done with plugins, just using the plugin is rarely enough.

Well that sounds nice and complicated lol, do you think this is something you could do? And would you be interested in helping out if you can?

Abraxas Studios · May 25, 2012

EDIT: for some reason my iPod posted twice, sorry about that.

WalterB · May 25, 2012

@Abraxas:

I've never been a wizard before

My SFX-experience goes as far as lightsabers or fireworks, so I was talking about theory. (I don't know how raytracing works: that's 3D-theory

)

If the magic is light: you need the see it (or at least the hue) reflecting it.
If it's dark it probably casts shadows.

And extra trick to make it part of the image is to put an object on top of the FX: this way it's inside the image.

(Like I said before: the first mistake it to not make it part of the '3D-image' on the screen. FX pasted on top fail most of the time.)

As much as I'd like to help you out: I already have tons of work to do and adding you to the queue would be unfair (especiall since I dare not garantuee great results).

BTW:
what are you making?
and what system and NLE are you using? (Do you have AE CS5.5 for windows?)

In your wish list I see certain things (like leaves in the air) that would require 3D-software (Maya, 3D studio, Cinema 4D) and some colorsampling would be nice (4:2:2 or better if possible)

Sulaco · May 30, 2012

It is only as hard as the skill of the artist doing it

Abraxas Studios · Jun 1, 2012

WalterB said:
@Abraxas:

I've never been a wizard before
My SFX-experience goes as far as lightsabers or fireworks, so I was talking about theory. (I don't know how raytracing works: that's 3D-theory )

If the magic is light: you need the see it (or at least the hue) reflecting it.
If it's dark it probably casts shadows.

And extra trick to make it part of the image is to put an object on top of the FX: this way it's inside the image.

(Like I said before: the first mistake it to not make it part of the '3D-image' on the screen. FX pasted on top fail most of the time.)

As much as I'd like to help you out: I already have tons of work to do and adding you to the queue would be unfair (especiall since I dare not garantuee great results).

BTW:
what are you making?
and what system and NLE are you using? (Do you have AE CS5.5 for windows?)

In your wish list I see certain things (like leaves in the air) that would require 3D-software (Maya, 3D studio, Cinema 4D) and some colorsampling would be nice (4:2:2 or better if possible)

No problem, I only have motion, so I'm looking for a VFX artist with all the tools etc.

The project that I need the VFX artist for is my Elder Scrolls Series

Aegis · Jun 7, 2012

It's a hard as you want to make it

There's a lot of different disciplines that make up 'VFX' - there's 2D work (After Effects, particle stuff) and full-on 3D - digital sets, characters, objects and visual FX.

There's no quick and simple way to do good VFX - sure, you can watch a few tutorials about adding muzzle flashes, blood splats, smoke and dust but if you're looking to do Hollywood-style CGI then there's a lot of work that goes into those shots:

Concept Art
Pre-Viz
Modelling
Sculpting
Surfacing
Rigging
Animation
Lighting
Rendering
Compositing
Grading

Each is a different specialized skill - some people (like myself) are generalists and can do several (or all) of the above, but usually not to the standard of a specialist.

Like any craft, it's relatively easy to get started (doing simple things) but you can spend a lifetime mastering it