Check out our new language series. We are trying to get a series up on all the different languages. So far we have FrenchWithYou, TagalogWithYou, and SignLanguageWithYou. It's a lot of fun, very humorous, and contains various visual effects.
FrenchWithYou series is currently starring May from Sacramento State University
TagalogWithYou is currently starring Thomas
SignLanguageWith is covered by Erica for the left hand and Thomas for the right hand.
Subcribe and let us share languages with you!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
New Photo Gallery - Brian Mohr
So lately I've been staying over at my friend Brian's house, and he needed a new facebook profile picture. He asked me to take a photo of him outisde with his iPhone. What started off as a simple picture went to me getting my dslr and doing a whole photoshoot. Photo's turned out great and the gallery is now online.
http://www.tronixproductions.com/brianmohr.html
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Opening Graphic for Synergy Ballroom Dance Studio
Josh Maddox and Mirabel Miscala - Lindy Hop
So my friends Josh Maddox and Mirabel Miscala asked me to record and post a video of their performance at Synergy Ballroom dance studio's Halloween party in Fremont California. Synergy Ballroom dance studio's just changed their name from Premier Ballroom.
I developed the opening graphic with a possibility of doing more video work for them. The opening graphic was done in After Effects. The background's liquid type of effect was done using fractal noise with the evolution animated, and a vector blur. I got the technique from a video copilot training tutorial, but I can't remember which one. The graphic which the lights are the actual lights at the studio I got as B-roll. I ended up taking a still frame and overlaying it using a lighten blending mode.
I hope you guys like the dancing! ^_^
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. TheFilmNinja
http://www.TronixProductions.com/
So my friends Josh Maddox and Mirabel Miscala asked me to record and post a video of their performance at Synergy Ballroom dance studio's Halloween party in Fremont California. Synergy Ballroom dance studio's just changed their name from Premier Ballroom.
I developed the opening graphic with a possibility of doing more video work for them. The opening graphic was done in After Effects. The background's liquid type of effect was done using fractal noise with the evolution animated, and a vector blur. I got the technique from a video copilot training tutorial, but I can't remember which one. The graphic which the lights are the actual lights at the studio I got as B-roll. I ended up taking a still frame and overlaying it using a lighten blending mode.
I hope you guys like the dancing! ^_^
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. TheFilmNinja
http://www.TronixProductions.com/
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Multiply Effect - Vfx Shot of the week #4
The multiply effect. I shot the character several times in front of the blue screen, and composited them together. I used the burn film effect several times. This is a continuation to the blue screen test and glowing red eyes effects.
I did these in after effects. The dungeon set I made in a 3D program called Maya. If you want an After Effects or Maya tutorial let me know. If you think you could do better, do it a post it as a video response. =D
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. TheFilmNinja
http://www.TronixProductions.com/
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Re: How many 3D/Vfx artists do I need for my film?
I was asked by Jesse Pickett. How many 3D/Vfx artists would I recommend for their film? The caliber and workload of his film he decribes compares to the new Star Trek (2009) film.
My response was.
Well how many vfx/3D artists depends on your budget.
If you want it to be the same calibur as the movie star trek, and you had there budget. You could just do what Paramount Pictures did, hire Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain to do the effects for the movie. They had 430 effects artists work on that movie, and they had over a 1,000 effects shots to do for the movie.
If you want to get the same quality with a very low budget. There are many things we'd have to keep in mind.
1. Total number of effects shots.
2. How many shots are shot on location and how many of them is to be recreated in front of a green screen.
3. With the number of green screen shots how many need 2D tracking and how many need 3D tracking. (nodal pan vs freehand camera moves.)
4. How well is each shots info is recorded for example tracking could alot faster and easier if the fx artist knows the the camera height, the camera lense used at the time, the distances between the markers, the distances of the subject and camera in relation to the camera.
5. The quality of the camera used.
6. Total number of Cg Characters.
7. What are some special requirements of each character.
8. How detailed is each character.
9. Total seconds of Character animation.
10. What are the actions of each character
Run cycles cost more then a character just sitting down and looking around.
Also run cyles for a quadruped would cost more then a run cycle for a biped
11. How many explosions, ice shattering, avalanches, muzzle fires, blood spatter type effects will be needed for the movie.
12. We'd also need to know the abilities and cost of each artist.
And I'm sure there's a lot more the plays into it, but thats just what I could think of for now.
In order to help estimate an accurate budget for the film I'd need to see, review, and discuss every shot with you in pre-production the script and a very detailed storyboard. Even then it would be a pretty broad estimate.
During the production stage I'd be able to give you a better estimate for your film after reviewing the shots taken. Weather or not the the tracking markers are trackable or has too much motion blur that more work is needed to matchmove. Weather or not certain shots require alot of rotoscoping. Where the Cg character are and how much animation is required.
In post production I could help give you an even better estimate once I know what 3D artists you've found. What there abilities and skill levels are, and how much each one of them costs.
When you do look for 3D/Vfx artists be sure to be aware of not just what they can do be also what programs the use.
For example a general 3D App would be Maya and 3DS Max
This is usaully where everythings put together rigged, animated, and rendered. If you start looking for 3D artists most likely there gonna be using one of these two. I recommend if your choosing multiple 3D artists to make sure they all use Maya or All use 3DS Max so it'll easier for them to work together. I highly recommend Maya.
When going into very detailed realistic 3D models 3D artists use a digital sculpting program like ZBrush or Mudbox which they export displacement maps to Maya or 3DS Max. I highly recommend ZBrush.
For realistic particle effects like anything liquid, fire, sand, or snow, like the polar bear dissapating into snow. Your going to need someone who knows a program called Realflow, and you need to make sure that the guy doing the effects in Realflow tells the guy doing the character modeling if theres any requirements in the wireframe for the effect.
You need someone who could realistically composite everything together. There are many different compositing programs out there as well like After Effects, Shake, and Nuke. You need someone who knows compositing in depth, and he needs to know 2D and 3D tracking. He needs to communicate the different render passes from the 3D artists. A good compositer would want the passes like the specular and the shadows to be rendered separately. He need to know about depth passes for depth of field. He needs to know how to composite atmosphere and match film grain into the shot. He needs to sure the renders are rendered out with image based lighting, and ambient occulsion passes.
If I think of anything else that may help I'll let you know.
Thomas Ferrick
3D-Vfx Artist/Filmmaker
www.TronixProductions.com
My response was.
Well how many vfx/3D artists depends on your budget.
If you want it to be the same calibur as the movie star trek, and you had there budget. You could just do what Paramount Pictures did, hire Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain to do the effects for the movie. They had 430 effects artists work on that movie, and they had over a 1,000 effects shots to do for the movie.
If you want to get the same quality with a very low budget. There are many things we'd have to keep in mind.
1. Total number of effects shots.
2. How many shots are shot on location and how many of them is to be recreated in front of a green screen.
3. With the number of green screen shots how many need 2D tracking and how many need 3D tracking. (nodal pan vs freehand camera moves.)
4. How well is each shots info is recorded for example tracking could alot faster and easier if the fx artist knows the the camera height, the camera lense used at the time, the distances between the markers, the distances of the subject and camera in relation to the camera.
5. The quality of the camera used.
6. Total number of Cg Characters.
7. What are some special requirements of each character.
8. How detailed is each character.
9. Total seconds of Character animation.
10. What are the actions of each character
Run cycles cost more then a character just sitting down and looking around.
Also run cyles for a quadruped would cost more then a run cycle for a biped
11. How many explosions, ice shattering, avalanches, muzzle fires, blood spatter type effects will be needed for the movie.
12. We'd also need to know the abilities and cost of each artist.
And I'm sure there's a lot more the plays into it, but thats just what I could think of for now.
In order to help estimate an accurate budget for the film I'd need to see, review, and discuss every shot with you in pre-production the script and a very detailed storyboard. Even then it would be a pretty broad estimate.
During the production stage I'd be able to give you a better estimate for your film after reviewing the shots taken. Weather or not the the tracking markers are trackable or has too much motion blur that more work is needed to matchmove. Weather or not certain shots require alot of rotoscoping. Where the Cg character are and how much animation is required.
In post production I could help give you an even better estimate once I know what 3D artists you've found. What there abilities and skill levels are, and how much each one of them costs.
When you do look for 3D/Vfx artists be sure to be aware of not just what they can do be also what programs the use.
For example a general 3D App would be Maya and 3DS Max
This is usaully where everythings put together rigged, animated, and rendered. If you start looking for 3D artists most likely there gonna be using one of these two. I recommend if your choosing multiple 3D artists to make sure they all use Maya or All use 3DS Max so it'll easier for them to work together. I highly recommend Maya.
When going into very detailed realistic 3D models 3D artists use a digital sculpting program like ZBrush or Mudbox which they export displacement maps to Maya or 3DS Max. I highly recommend ZBrush.
For realistic particle effects like anything liquid, fire, sand, or snow, like the polar bear dissapating into snow. Your going to need someone who knows a program called Realflow, and you need to make sure that the guy doing the effects in Realflow tells the guy doing the character modeling if theres any requirements in the wireframe for the effect.
You need someone who could realistically composite everything together. There are many different compositing programs out there as well like After Effects, Shake, and Nuke. You need someone who knows compositing in depth, and he needs to know 2D and 3D tracking. He needs to communicate the different render passes from the 3D artists. A good compositer would want the passes like the specular and the shadows to be rendered separately. He need to know about depth passes for depth of field. He needs to know how to composite atmosphere and match film grain into the shot. He needs to sure the renders are rendered out with image based lighting, and ambient occulsion passes.
If I think of anything else that may help I'll let you know.
Thomas Ferrick
3D-Vfx Artist/Filmmaker
www.TronixProductions.com
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Glowing Red Eyes - Vfx Shot of the week #3
Glowing Red Eyes - Vfx Shot of the week #3
Put some more work onto the first two shots using a little bit on tint fom a hot spot from the wall.
The glowing red eyes didn't come out how I expected and at first felt like it was taking away from the shots. I actaully used an old lightsaber masking technique I knew. I thought I'd be able to get 2D tracking to do most of the work, but I I ended up need need to roto every point on every frame which was a pain, but it was only a 7 second clip so it wasn't too bad. Well I managed to roto the right eye before this weeks deadline the left eye needs alot more work.
If you subcribe by next week on vfx #4 I'll be continuing with these shoots with another effect and I'll have that left eye fixed. Also I noticed the light flickering only lasts a third of the extreme close up shot.
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. TheFilmNinja
http://www.TronixProductions.com
Put some more work onto the first two shots using a little bit on tint fom a hot spot from the wall.
The glowing red eyes didn't come out how I expected and at first felt like it was taking away from the shots. I actaully used an old lightsaber masking technique I knew. I thought I'd be able to get 2D tracking to do most of the work, but I I ended up need need to roto every point on every frame which was a pain, but it was only a 7 second clip so it wasn't too bad. Well I managed to roto the right eye before this weeks deadline the left eye needs alot more work.
If you subcribe by next week on vfx #4 I'll be continuing with these shoots with another effect and I'll have that left eye fixed. Also I noticed the light flickering only lasts a third of the extreme close up shot.
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. TheFilmNinja
http://www.TronixProductions.com
http://www.healthierhappierlife.com/
Today we celebrate the lauch of www.HealthierHappierLife.com This is a site built completely by Tronix Productions. The site was custom built using Joomla. HealthierHappierLife.com owned by a company called Pennie Sempell and company offers Cd's and Dvd's that teaches kids about health, happiness and relationships. There dvd set series soon to be launched combines award winning audio from The Best of Broadway and Beyond, and fun animation created by Tronix Productions.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A cool compositing reel I saw
Wow.. I found this compositing demo reel, and it's simply amazing..
http://vimeo.com/7145035
http://vimeo.com/7145035
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Blue Screen Digital Set Test - Vfx Shot of the week #2
Blue Screen Digital Set Test - Vfx Shot of the week #2
I shot the video using a Nikon D5000 Trying out my Blue Screen. I needed fire sound effects for the torches and lower and make noisier the specular map on the walls.
I included the light flickering on an adjustment layer so it effects both me and the enviroment.
Well not too bad for a first attempt on keying. The footage I was working with was pretty blown out and was a strech to composite into a dark environment. The room I set the lights in is really small so all the lights are really close. I plan to get some router speed control adapters so I could control the wattage and dim the lights. The 3D set also I didn't make to be photorealistic I just pulled it off of another 3D projects of mine. Also it's not done thats why I posted in work in progress I'll be building off this scene in my next post, but yea it isn't that great right now. What do you think it needs to be better? :=~ What can I do to make better? Anything constructive would be very much appreciated. :D
So far I tinted the fire more from a hot spot on the wall. Soften the keyed matte. And also pushed the light flicking adjustment layer that effects both me and the enviroment so it's more noticable in the next two scenes.
I'll be doing a breakdown episode of all the effects I did for the month so be sure to subcribe! =D
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. The Film Ninja
http://www.TronixProductions.com
I shot the video using a Nikon D5000 Trying out my Blue Screen. I needed fire sound effects for the torches and lower and make noisier the specular map on the walls.
I included the light flickering on an adjustment layer so it effects both me and the enviroment.
Well not too bad for a first attempt on keying. The footage I was working with was pretty blown out and was a strech to composite into a dark environment. The room I set the lights in is really small so all the lights are really close. I plan to get some router speed control adapters so I could control the wattage and dim the lights. The 3D set also I didn't make to be photorealistic I just pulled it off of another 3D projects of mine. Also it's not done thats why I posted in work in progress I'll be building off this scene in my next post, but yea it isn't that great right now. What do you think it needs to be better? :=~ What can I do to make better? Anything constructive would be very much appreciated. :D
So far I tinted the fire more from a hot spot on the wall. Soften the keyed matte. And also pushed the light flicking adjustment layer that effects both me and the enviroment so it's more noticable in the next two scenes.
I'll be doing a breakdown episode of all the effects I did for the month so be sure to subcribe! =D
-NinjaTronix a.k.a. The Film Ninja
http://www.TronixProductions.com
NinjaTronix Vs TheFilmNinja
On YouTube I have 3 channels
NinjaTronix is more for just posting my own stuff.
TheFilmNinja General stuff and Vlogs to the world
TronixProductions were I post finished Projects
I wanted to get BBoyTronix, but someone already took it. I've been posting my breaking dancing video for years on my NinjaTronix account before that guy took the BBoyTronix Channel..
NinjaTronix is more for just posting my own stuff.
TheFilmNinja General stuff and Vlogs to the world
TronixProductions were I post finished Projects
I wanted to get BBoyTronix, but someone already took it. I've been posting my breaking dancing video for years on my NinjaTronix account before that guy took the BBoyTronix Channel..
Dragonballs - Vfx shot of the week #1
Dragonballs - Vfx shot of the week #1
I thought I'd try making some Dragonballs =D
One of my new years resolution is to have a new vfx shot made and posted to Youtube every week. First one of this years I thought It'll be cool to use try using Andrews Glass orbs tutorial and making Dragonballs. My Dragonballs don't look very realistic maybe some of your guys critiques will help. Maybe i'll try compositing it into a live action shot with me in it just I'm curious on how it'll look.
"Eternal Dragon, by your name, I summon you forth, Shenron!" -NinjaTronix
-Thomas
http://www.TronixProductions.com
I thought I'd try making some Dragonballs =D
One of my new years resolution is to have a new vfx shot made and posted to Youtube every week. First one of this years I thought It'll be cool to use try using Andrews Glass orbs tutorial and making Dragonballs. My Dragonballs don't look very realistic maybe some of your guys critiques will help. Maybe i'll try compositing it into a live action shot with me in it just I'm curious on how it'll look.
"Eternal Dragon, by your name, I summon you forth, Shenron!" -NinjaTronix
-Thomas
http://www.TronixProductions.com
Monday, January 4, 2010
Mendocino Photos Are Now Up!
I took a trip to Mendocino last weekend and took some great Photo's. i just finished putting up a gallery so everyone could go ahead and check thoughs out.
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Mendocino.html
Also I updated the site so now there's a Photography page as well.
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Photography.html
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Mendocino.html
Also I updated the site so now there's a Photography page as well.
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Photography.html
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Christmas 2009 Photoshoot
The Christmas Photoshoot I did for my family is now up for viewing and downloading. I'd like to encourage everyone to check them out.
Here's The link!
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Christmas2009.html
My family loves them. First day playing Photographer with my new toys.
Here's The link!
http://www.tronixproductions.com/Christmas2009.html
My family loves them. First day playing Photographer with my new toys.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year, Big Goals and Vfx Training
It’s the first of January, and I’m setting my new years resolutions. I’m trying to set some high goals when it comes to film and visual effects. My goals are the following.
1. An hour of 3D and visaul effects training a day.
2. Visaul Fx shot a week
3. A music video a month
4. A short film every done every three months.
5. Blog often maybe twice a week
6. Add 10 and subcribe youtube friends a day
I’m going to start posting the Fx shot of the week. So you guys will help keep me on track. I’ll try talk a little about the effect, and I have to try and make it as if it were a scene in a movie or something I can’t be like. Fire (Fire effect), electricity (electric effect), teleport (teleport effect), reappear (Film Burn Effect in skeleton costume), Change clothes (with a snap of my fingers I’m back in Tronix clothing.) Blow my head off. (Head blowing up effect)
The Fx shot of the week has to be as if it was for a scene in a movie. It has to seem to have some kind of story behind it or I’m better just have a daily fx shot rather then a weekly Fx shot. Anyways be sure to check them out and comment give them your critique. The more constructive the better. If your think you could do better, do it and post it as a video response.
I am NinjaTronix a.k.a. The Film Ninja
Follow me here just click the subcribe button.
You could also check out my website at www.TronixProductions.com
My question here for you is. What are some of your goals for this year? Comment and let me know. Alright.. Later..
1. An hour of 3D and visaul effects training a day.
2. Visaul Fx shot a week
3. A music video a month
4. A short film every done every three months.
5. Blog often maybe twice a week
6. Add 10 and subcribe youtube friends a day
I’m going to start posting the Fx shot of the week. So you guys will help keep me on track. I’ll try talk a little about the effect, and I have to try and make it as if it were a scene in a movie or something I can’t be like. Fire (Fire effect), electricity (electric effect), teleport (teleport effect), reappear (Film Burn Effect in skeleton costume), Change clothes (with a snap of my fingers I’m back in Tronix clothing.) Blow my head off. (Head blowing up effect)
The Fx shot of the week has to be as if it was for a scene in a movie. It has to seem to have some kind of story behind it or I’m better just have a daily fx shot rather then a weekly Fx shot. Anyways be sure to check them out and comment give them your critique. The more constructive the better. If your think you could do better, do it and post it as a video response.
I am NinjaTronix a.k.a. The Film Ninja
Follow me here just click the subcribe button.
You could also check out my website at www.TronixProductions.com
My question here for you is. What are some of your goals for this year? Comment and let me know. Alright.. Later..
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Amazing display of Particle Effects
I found this link to this video online, and thought I'd share it with you guys. It's an incredible display of particle effects.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTIyODU1NzUy.html
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTIyODU1NzUy.html
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tube Tape - MxLight series review
For some professional equipment I'm surprised how poorly packaged it was delivered. Everything I ordered seemed to be shooved into one box as much as possible. One of corners one of the metal frames at the front of one of the lights was bent outwards because one of the screws didn't go all the way in. When you first order the lights you got to shave some plastcic off the inside of the socket in order for it to go into the stand, and one of the legs on one of my stands all already has a dent. I'm not sure if came like this or got it from the first time I used it the day after I got it. Either way thats pretty weak. It looks really nice when it's all set up. Performance wise I didn't get to fully try it out because plugging in two or three blows a fuse so I haven't got to work with all of the light at once. Considering it's my first Light kit I'm still excited to have it.
First Photoshoot
So the equipment I ordered came in on the 23rd. Then the 24th I brought it with me to a family Christmas Eve get together to shoot portraits for everyone. Haha, for my first shoot it didn't go too bad. They were blow away seeing all the equipment all set up. My light blew fuses like ten times, but they all had fun yelling out "Brown Out! Brown Out! Brown Out!" everytime that happened. We had alot fun.
Sana magustuhan ninyo ang pamasko ko.
Hope you like my Christmas gift.
Sana magustuhan ninyo ang pamasko ko.
Hope you like my Christmas gift.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Avatar (2009) Pro's, Con's, and Visaul Effects
I give Avatar a 9. 99999 / 10 It was a incredible movie. I knew it was going to a great movie when I hear Alex Alvarez, the director of Gnomon a vfx school in La was brought in to work on the creatures for the movie. The movie was intense I could tell just by watching that it had the most compositing work I've ever seen in one movie, and hearing the budget they had for the movie I could why. It brought me into a world I didn't want to end, and the movie being a 3D and visaul effects artist myself really intimediated for a while. It was fantastic and cutting edge. I loved the storyline. There were 2 scenes though that stick out in my head that make it so I can't give them the full 10. First hen the main guy escaped the burning helicopter in the mobile suit. The scene was really done, but after landing did he really have to take a few seconds to pose for the camera. Yea, it would've made a great poster, but it took me out of the movie for a little. Second, the scene where Jake Sully the main character was about to die because he couldn't breathe and the shot was when they did a close-up of his hand on Neytiri's face the main female chacacter. The shot didn't look like it was composited to the background very well. The camera shake felt really weird, and the Jake's human hand you could tell was Cg, but consider the amount of compositing that when into this 2hr 42min movie I'm surprised I didn't see more things like that. But this is one of my favorite movies, and hopefully see again this time in imax.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Blog Show and New Equipment
So the blog show "The Film Ninja" will be starting the first week of January. I'll be placing the order Saturday so hopefully everything goes well with that. I plan to get a 10x20 Greenscreen with stands and three piece MxLight light set both from a site called tubetape. I also plan to get worklights from walmart for extra light to light the green screen. I'm still trying pick out a great camera though.
Here are the links to the equipment I plan to order.
Green Screen and Support Stand
http://www.tubetape.net/servlet/the-15/Green-Screen-and-Support/Detail
MXLIGHT TWIN LAMP THREE SOFTBOX KIT WITH BOOM
http://www.tubetape.net/servlet/the-93/MXLIGHT-TWIN-LAMP-THREE/Detail
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Here are the links to the equipment I plan to order.
Green Screen and Support Stand
http://www.tubetape.net/servlet/the-15/Green-Screen-and-Support/Detail
MXLIGHT TWIN LAMP THREE SOFTBOX KIT WITH BOOM
http://www.tubetape.net/servlet/the-93/MXLIGHT-TWIN-LAMP-THREE/Detail
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Star Wars: The Force - Fan Film
So I've been working with a one of my best friends on a film idea for a Star Wars Fan Film. He's a big Star Wars Fan with some great ideas.
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