ANIMATION & VISUAL EFFECTS F I N I S H I N G S C H O O L P R O G R A M The Basics of Compositing for Production brought to you by
Rhythm & Hues is a multiple Academy Award winning film production studio specializing in visual effects and computer animation for feature films and television commercials. Founded in 1987, Rhythm & Hues continues to push the boundaries of the digital frontier and has been singled out as a leader by virtually all the major competitions that recognize excellence in computer graphics. Rhythm & Hues has a globally distributed production infrastructure with studios in Los Angeles, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Vancouver and Kuala Lumpur. At Rhythm & Hues we believe that the highest quality work is created in an environment where people enjoy working and where people are treated fairly, honestly, and respectfully. Our goal is to keep our employees happy and have them take pride in their work for Rhythm & Hues. 1
The MSC Malaysia Animation Creative Content Centre (MAC3), under MSC Malaysia Creative Content Initiatives, is the catalyst that enables first-stage technopreneurs to catapult their business to the next level. The mission is to empower local developers with the tools they need to grow their business to the international level and provide them with the skills to make themselves a better technopreneur and leader. MAC3 is established to help nurture and guide the process of content development by focusing the best resources and individuals aimed to make Malaysia a leader in content development internationally. The facilities are : 1. Content Accelerator Studio Where start-up companies create their own IP content with the latest content creation hardware and software in the studio. 2. Digital Content Technology Lab A training centre equipped with latest content creation software and High Definition video conferencing system for training purposes, like masterclass, train-the trainers and competency development. 3. Rendering Farm facility A high-end server nodes and storage solution to provide computing power for content creator to generate computer graphics and images. To enhance creative companies works by reducing the rendering in-house production time and to produce high quality image for CG content. 4. Post Production Facility To assist start-ups in the end to end post production solution. Objectives; MAC3 is the center for the development of digital content in Malaysia. As a central location for content developers to share ideas and experiment in the creation of content. An environment that supports start-up content developers for Animation & Games. Industry-specific guidance and support to oversee start-ups through the development cycle. Technology Lab to partner with companies to provide training and technology on game and animation. To facilitate and catalyst the creation of creative content by local creative content companies 2
Introduction Rhythm & Hues Malaysia and The MSC Malaysia Animation Creative Content Center (MAC3) are conducting Animation and Visual Effects Finishing Programs. These programs are intended for the goal of developing a pool of artists attuned to the needs of Malaysia s Visual Effects Industry. This program is designed to train students and professional in Malaysia to broaden their course specialities in the area of Visual Effects. The aim of the 12-week Animation and Visual Effects Finishing Program is to provide participants with a learning experience of various disciplines that form an integral part of an international Visual Effects & Animation studio. This program will provide essential information about the work flow of a successful production environment. The program is meant to compliment the formal education and bridge the gap towards the participants being industry-ready and is focused on sharing knowledge and expertise that will impart cutting-edge education and training to the participants when they apply for jobs at studios. The program also offers the opportunity to discuss effective demo reels for positions in the Visual Effects industry in Malaysia. 3
The Basics of Compositing for Production: Assembly of a scene in 2D requires a number of input plates that are then put together utilizing the compositing software. Creation of the input plates and management of that data are tied into the rest of the workflow including 3D scene assembly. Plates come from one of three sources: original camera plates (and/or portions thereof isolated by keying or roto shapes), 2D animation and matte paint layers, and from renders of 3D scene data... This module is as a primer for beginning compositors, and a knowledgeable reference for experienced compositors. Scheduled for : 6th February to 30th April, 2012 (12 weeks) The Incredible Hulk courtesy of Sony Pictures 4
The Basics of Compositing for Production COURSE OVERVIEW The module aim is to: Instill in participants a practical understanding of the building blocks of 2D VFX. Encourage students to dissect what makes a shot looks right and visually coherent. Explain different approaches to manipulating colour and light. Explain different approaches to creating masks and isolating groups of pixels. Explain VFX animation pipelines. WHO SHOULD ATTEND Malaysian Students or Professionals seeking to enhance their skills in Animation (CGI) & Visual/Special Effects. PRE-REQUISITES Participants must have access to a computer with Adobe After Effects (CS3 and above) & 3D Software Package (Preferably Maya) Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop Basic understanding of 3D Animation package Basic understanding of a Compositing software (i.e. Adobe After Effects) Understand the concept of Masking, Matte, Keying, Paint, Rotoscoping & Tracking FEE Supported by Rhythm & Hues Studios and The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) LEARNING OUTCOMES On completion participants will understand and be able to demonstrate: Proficient use of layering and combination of disparately created elements into a perceptually cohesive whole. The creation of seemingly photoreal or seamless images using a variety of methods. Elements made to match a background, using common compositing techniques such as edge quality, focus, colour, grain/noise structure etc. Combine different CGI passes appropriately (at least diffuse, colour, specular and shadow). DURATION 12 weeks TIME Monday ~ Friday, 9.00am ~ 5.00pm LOCATION MSC Malaysia Animation Creative Content Center (MAC3) B-1-2A, SME Technopreneur Centre 2, 2260 Jalan Usahawan 1, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia 5
Schedule for The Basics of Compositing for Production Program Course outline Workshop 1 (1 week) (Layer based approach) History of VFX Production Pipeline Overview Digital Images, Formats and Resolution Course outline Workshop 2 (1 week) (Layer based approach) Introduction to Keying Key light and Despill Pre and Post Processing - refining the Key Course outline Workshop 3 (1 week) (Node based approach) Node based vs Layer based Compositing Node based Paint process Node based Rotoscoping process Film properties, Log vs Linear The key to Compositing Garbage Matte Painting for generating Clean Plates Dust Bust Assignments (3 weeks) Color theory Matching Film grain Grading & Color Correction Exposure, Gamma & Curves Density and Color matching Assignments (3 weeks) Node based Tracking Node based Keying Multipass Compositing Compositing Live Action and CGI Wire/Rig removal Introduction to Rotoscoping Single point Tracking Multiple point Tracking Multipass Rendering Multipass Compositing Compositing Live Action and CGI Assignments (3 weeks) 6
Upcoming Finishing School Programs for 2012 Character Modeling & Sculpting for Production (March 2012) In this module students will extend and advance their skills in modelling. Having learnt the fundamentals of building a hard surface form as well as the basic workflow of CGI production for VFX, here there is further opportunity to learn about creating form and surface for an organic form which needs to be posed, re-posed. CGI Lighting for VFX (May 2012) This module explores the skills that constitute and surround the role of the lighting TD. Lighting is also a fundamental skill required by generalists who cover more than one role when working on smaller projects. CGI Animation for VFX (July 2012) This module examines animation as part of a VFX pipeline, rather than as an isolated discipline. Whilst elements of the module may well pertain to a certain style of CGI animation, it is examined here as part of a process initiated by, and then complementing, a live action shoot. Matchmoving Production Techniques (September 2012) This module concentrates on the process of achieving an accurate camera solve or matched object geometry from plates shot with moving film cameras. *Dates are subject to change without prior notice 7
For further information please contact: Idarahayu Ayob Senior Executive MSC Malaysia Animation Creative Content Center +603 8320 2331 E-mail: idarahayu@mdec.com.my Sarini Bujang Junior Assistant Manager Rhythm & Hues Malaysia +603 8320 2201 ext: 4431 E-mail: fsp-kl@rhythm.com 8
Rhythm & Hues Studios Sdn Bhd, Unit F1/F2, Level 1, Block 2300 Century Square, Jalan Usahawan 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia Website: www.rhythm.com MSC Malaysia Animation Creative Content Center (MAC3) B-1-2A, SME Technopreneur Centre 2, 2260, Jalan Usahawan 1, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia Website: www.mscmalaysia.my/topic/mac3 Copyright 2012, All rights reserved.