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Post #1169899

Author
Sir Ridley
Parent topic
Star Wars: Firestorm (The Last Jedi Fan Edit) (* unfinished project *)
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/1169899/action/topic#1169899
Date created
10-Feb-2018, 1:16 PM

So, about After Effects. For the Yoda scene (and this kind of work in general) the main things you need to learn are masking, tracking and keyframing. Here’s a good page for tutorials to get you started: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/

And here are some basics from Adobe:

Masking:
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/alpha-channels-masks-mattes.html

Tracking:
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/tracking-stabilizing-motion-cs5.html

Keyframes:
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/animation-basics.html

Here’s how I imagine you could do your ghost effects:

  • You start out with a layer of the original movie, naturally.

  • Based on what is behind Yoda in each shot you need to create a new layer of the things that should be seen through Yoda’s ghost. This can be an image (or several image layers, or a video, depending on the specifics of the shot) that you create in something like Photoshop.

  • You then need to place that layer on top of Yoda and have it follow the motion of the shot. You can move the layer around using keyframes, or track the motion of the original shot. If you go with tracking I suggest adding the tracking motion to a “null object” and then “parenting” the layer you want to move around to the “null”. You now have Yoda removed, basically.

  • Now you need to “mask” things. This is also known as rotoscoping. Mattes are a similar thing too. You need a mask in the shape of Yoda on the layer covering Yoda so you don’t cover up too much of the shot. When you’re done the mask should follow Yoda’s outline and stay with him as he moves. Adjust the feathering of the mask and keep the blue glow around Yoda but nothing else of him.

  • Copy the original movie layer and put it on top. Add the same mask around Yoda, but inverted so you only keep Yoda and not what’s around him. You can now adjust the transparency of this layer to change how transparent his ghost should appear. You can also adjust the color of this layer using something like a “tint” or “curves” effect to make him more blue.

  • Aaand that should do it, for the most part. I think. We’ll see what happens when we start working on it.