Matte Painting/Projection WIP

Hey guys, here's a mate painting/projection I'm working on for a short film we are shooting (mostly shot on greenscreen) at work on the RED. I still have a lot of work to do but here's an early look. This is my second matte painting so I'm pretty new at this. Any comments, critiques, tips or thoughts are very appreciated.



Cheers,
Josh

cool look!
it would help more to see where the actual matte begins. what part real shoot is and what part cg.

Thanks diemacht, I'll post some before pictures this week.

-Josh

So here is a before image. Just the raw greenscreen shot.



Cheers,
Josh

Hi Josh,

Looks like a good start, I immediately recognized the footage from the tutorial on your Vimeo page. Anyway, I know it's early and I'm not sure where you're heading (what's the general story of the short?), but here are my thoughts so far:

1) Light direction doesn't seem to match up between the different layers, e.g., the actor's back appears to be well lit, while portions of the environment facing this direction are shaded.
2) Regarding depth, the shot feels "layered". One gets the impression of discrete levels of z-space rather than a continuous progression.
3) From a compositional standpoint, the value structure and "balance" could be refined to make for a more compelling shot IMO. If you're still in the earlier stages, it might be worthwhile to experiment and draw some quick, low-res color roughs. That way decisions about layout, value structure, and color palette can be made early on and you end up with a solid blueprint for your final shot. In any case, I think the composition could be changed to emphasize (and maybe draw viewers' eyes towards) either the character/prop or the vastness/mood of the environment (or whatever you want to emphasize). Changing the value structure should help, as the vast majority of the frame values seem to be confined to a small range between say 30-70%.

Anyway, hope none of the above crits come off as harsh or unfounded. I'm interested to see where you'll go with this and look forward to seeing some updates!

-Kieran

Thanks for the comment, Kieran. Very insightful. I'm working on some of the issues your brought up as well as other things as I'm brand new to matte painting . I think I'll be able to get a way with more once I have it in motion. I attached my fastest update. Glad you found my tutorials.



As for what's the short about here you go.

Synopsis and Details:

the short

Lightning In The Bottle is a satirical science fiction docu-narrative that captures the fantastical conjunction of science and nature in which a lowly strikehand is catapulted to upper management above the clouds.

the long

Nikola Tesla once said, “More than 35 years ago, I undertook the production of these phenomena (of lightning) and, in 1899 I actually succeeded, using a generator of 2,000 horsepower, in obtaining discharges of 18,000,000 volts carrying currents of 1,200 amperes, which were of such power as to be audible at a distance of 13 miles. I also learned how to produce such lightnings as occur in Nature, and mastered all the technical difficulties in this connection. But I found that even in the small and comparatively negligible trigger work called for the employment of thousands of horsepower; and this is the great obstacle now in the way of this supreme accomplishment.” Lightning In the Bottle asks what if that obstacle were removed? Funded by a series of barons, including J.P. Morgan, Tesla’s Wardenclyffe tower became the staple of wireless energy for the world and sadly the cause for “The Great War.” Soon after the war, Tesla’s concept of free energy existed for only a brief time before a process was found to capitalize on the wireless energy. A systematic procedure and workforce was created to capture lightning into containment units (similar to oversized Leyden Jars). These measurable units became known as bottles and the persons responsible for their capture became known as Strikehands. Utilizing technology based on designs of both Tesla and his understudy, Thomas Edison, MorganClyffe Utility built an energy empire, but at the price of a peaceful society. A caste system, based on corporate hierarchy, was born. Lightning In The Bottle is a satirical docu-narrative that chronicles the life of the Strikehand and in particular a third generation one named Francis Benson. On a routine visit from the Vice Chancellor of Propaganda and Development, Francis acting upon instinct, saves the VC of P&D’s life. He is rewarded with a raise, thus allowing him to climb up the rungs of the caste. He can now work on the 59th floor.

Also, this is an excerpt from the script. This scene is for the matte painting I'm working on now. Thus far we won for our screenplay at Yosemite Film Festival 2010 and was a official screenplay finalist at Shriekfest 2010.

Story sounds pretty intense, you're in for lots of work no doubt. Hopefully the final can pick up a few awards to sit with the screenplay ones (congrats).

Any developments with the matte painting?

Thanks man for the interest. Sadly, this project has stopped. My co-worker that was working on this got fired and turns out he wasn't the person I thought he was so I'll no longer be spending my time on this film but I may finish a few shots for my reel.

Cheers,
Josh

that sucks :S