February 2014 Demo Reel Version 01

FEBRUARY 2014 REEL, ON VIMEO:

SANDRA HERMAN | SHOT BREAKDOWN

Introduction, 9 seconds | After Effects
o Compositing effects: cement floor overlay, colour solids, glow, reflection, animation keying by Sandra Herman

VFX Muzzle Flash, “Kingston Paradise,” 13 seconds | After Effects
o Footage courtesy of director Mary Wells and Autonomous Entertainment
o Two shots, compositing: muzzle flash, glow effect, and smoke integration by Sandra Herman

Dropship, “One’s Own Body,” 12 seconds | Maya, Photoshop, After Effects
o Footage courtesy of Conor Loftus and CWPL Films
o Metal textures, lighting, metal shaders, rendering by Sandra Herman

Neon and Chrome, 27 seconds | Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects
o Model by Christopher Desse and Matthew Thain
o Camera, vehicle rig, textures, interior/exterior lighting, rendering by Sandra Herman

Under the Dock, 20 seconds | Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects
o Model by Serguei Kalentchouck
o Textures, lighting, dynamic water/fog, 3D camera, lens bulge, effects, rendering, dock board texture photos by Sandra Herman

Captain’s Log: Stormy Pursuit, 13 seconds | Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects
o Model by Giorgio Luciano
o Textures, lighting, 2D matte keying, dynamic water, rendering by Sandra Herman

Fruit Bowl, 9 seconds | Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects
o Model by Jeremy Birn
o Textures, lighting, colour/light render passes, banana texture photos by Sandra Herman

December 2013 Demo Reel Version 02

DEMO REEL VERSION DECEMBER 2013, VERSION 02:

Some minor edits of titles and scene transitions. I am working on the dropship rendering with a new light set-up, for early January 2014.

Reel Breakdown, May 2013

1. Introduction, 9 seconds   |   After Effects

• Compositing: cement floor overlay, colour solids, neon glow, reflection layer, animation keying by Sandra Herman

2. Neon and Chrome, 27 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Model by Christopher Desse and Matthew Thain
• Camera, vehicle rig, textures, interior/exterior lighting, render passes by Sandra Herman

3. Under the Dock, 20 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Model by Serguei Kalentchouck
• Textures, lighting, dynamic water/fog, 3D camera, lens bulge, effects, render passes, dock board texture photos by Sandra Herman

4. Bedroom Time Lapse, 24 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Bedroom model by David Vacek, design by David Tousek
• Rat models by Dan Konieczka and Giorgio Luciano
• Textures, lighting, time of day conversion, render passes, animated light, book texture photos by Sandra Herman

5. Captain’s Log: Stormy Pursuit, 13 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Model by Giorgio Luciano
• Textures, lighting, 2D matte keying (scale, direction, twirl), dynamic water, render passes by Sandra Herman

6. Captain’s Log: Sunset, 10 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Model by Giorgio Luciano
• Textures, lighting, sky and ocean glow mattes, dynamic water, render passes by Sandra Herman.

7. Fruit Bowl, 9 seconds   |   Maya, Mental Ray, Photoshop, After Effects

• Model by Jeremy Birn
• Textures, lighting, colour/light render passes, banana texture photos by Sandra Herman

  

2D Smoke Comp

In this exercise I have animated a still image so that it looks like real video footage. To do this, I have added a moving video, blurred the first second for a handheld camera feel, smudged the lens with fingerprints, and animated plumes of smoke.

The original still is found in this article from Macleans Magazine: http://www2.macleans.ca/tag/icelandic-volcano/. (AP Photo/Jon Gustafsson)

January 2013 Edits

A new edit is underway for early February. Now that my current fixed-term contract is finished, I have more time to commit to it. I am also working as a texturing intern on a sci-fi short.



Below, is a beauty pass of the bedroom scene with new books, an overturned chair and a toppled plant, plus a revised ceiling stain and comforter. I have made a new plywood base texture for the Ikea-styled desk, with a more realistic look of dirt collecting between the tabletop and cupboards. I have revisited the light set-up to add a rim to the fallen chair and edited the shadows cast by the bed, radiator, closet, and chair. The floor has a layer of dynamic dust.

Bedroom set was modelled by David Vacek, design by David Tousek.
Rats were modelled by Dan Konieczka and Giorgio Luciano

Neon and Chrome Texture Edits

Modelled by Christophe Desse and Matthew Thain.
A simple bump pass adds a realistic feel to the painted cement wall.

Smoke VFX

Modelled by Giorgio Luciano
Much closer to the look of a fire below deck. The smoke is dark to match the look of a raging fire versus the white smoke from a cannon firing in the distance. I think the yellow hot spot in the black smoke should be red.

Battleship Edit Continues

Modelled by Giorgio Luciano
I realized that the background ship was tilted too much, even for a menacing pose, so I made an edit. This is more dynamic I think. I've finished the foreground boat in terms of lighting: a soft glow in the cabin windows, a spec highlight on the chain, and a hint of blur overall, justified by the misty weather. I hope to achieve some effects here too, with a jet of smoke/ a hint of fire to show that the foreground ship is sinking. Also, I've added froth to the ocean, for a realistic stormy look. The background boat light setup needs much more work, including the sails and a cannon firing.

Battleship Edit

I am working on this idea that the distant ship has fired cannons at the foreground ship. I want to use dynamics to create a fog. I am also starting to light the far off ship so that it is back-lit and mysterious looking. I have not gotten very far into lighting the distant ship, but I think that the glow in the front boat windows is working nicely so far.

This is a screenshot from the movie, Master and Commander. I want to establish a similar mood and imitate the misty atmosphere.

Modelled by Giorgio Luciano