Jeff Foster - the PixelPainter » Featured

3D Stereo Workflow with the GoPro Hero2

Jeff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:58:58 +0000

Whether you love it or hate it, 3D Stereography is here for awhile. And if you’re totally into it like I am, you quickly realize that there are few turnkey workflows out there to capture and process 3D Stereo video that’s easy to setup, shoot and edit Stereo pairs. Sure, there are a lot of high-end (expensive to rent) systems for two cameras to shoot, software to sync/mux the footage and rigs you can build to edit it, but GoPro has brought it together with a fun and easy-to-use system that anyone can use.

Read the entire article and watch videos here…

NOTE: This is the 3rd in a series of articles/reviews on the GoPro Hero2 cameras for the ProVideo Coalition. There are links to the others at the end of each article.

“The DSLR Filmmaker’s Handbook” – Book Review

Jeff — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:18:25 +0000

There’s little more popular these days than being a budding Indie filmmaker slinging a 5D MkII over your shoulder and firing off hours of footage that you can then spend months editing to make your masterpiece come alive! The biggest problem is that MOST folks entering this endeavor are totally clueless about the process or where to even start – thus making every mistake in the book in the process. The DSLR Filmmaker’s Handbook: Real World Production Techniques (Sybex ISBN 978-0-470-87660-2) aims to help you get started with not only the basics of using the gear, but also the film-making production process in a visual overview – PLUS some very cool tips & tricks.

Click Here to read the entire review:

Digieffects v2.5 Damage & Delirium

Jeff — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:05:15 +0000

Digieffects has updated and optimized their plugin effects to be Adobe CS5/64-bit compatible and have added some great new tools to their suite of tools! Both Damage v2.5 and Delirium v2.5 are fully compatible with the latest versions of After Effects, Premiere Pro, FCP and Edius. Even better news, this is a free upgrade for registered v2.0 owners!

CLICK HERE to read the entire review and see examples on the ProVideo Coalition problog:

Slo-Mo with the GoPro!

Jeff — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:27:54 +0000

I’ve published another post in my GoPro HD Hero2 series on the ProVideo Coalition problog, including several examples of using the GoPro shooting high-speed (120fps) for a smooth and clear Slo-Mo playback. This little camera is amazing and more than just something you’ll strap to your sports gear and jump off a cliff to record your impending death with!

Check out my article and the video results HERE on the ProVideo Coalition site.

NEW! Green Screen Production Workshops!

Jeff — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:52:56 +0000

Online Video Training Series

Just released – my two-part video training series of the Green Screen Workshop. It includes a lot of live video, examples, and screencast tutorials to show you how to plan, set, light and shoot the best possible green screen shots for the best results in compositing!

Green Screen Workshop:
The Setup

Plan and Set Up for the Best Results

In the first course in his two-part series on green-screen (and blue-screen) tools and techniques, author, producer, and VFX Artist Jeff Foster covers the often-overlooked steps that lead up to shooting. The training covers every aspect of planning and setting up properly for best post-production results, from choosing the right keying process for your project to creating storyboards and pre-visualization comps prior to shooting. You’ll also learn when to use green screen or blue screen, how to light that screen, and how to measure light and set up your camera properly. Whether you’re planning to work with virtual sets or live backgrounds, this workshop will get you ready to shoot.

Here’s a direct link to the online portal to check out this title and see the free demo movies.

Green Screen Workshop: The Shoot

Light, Shoot, and Composite

In the second course in his two-part series on green-screen (and blue-screen) tools and techniques, author, producer, and VFX Artist Jeff Foster covers the nitty-gritty of production and post-production. On the production side, you’ll learn how to build your own portable lights, create professional lighting setups, and shoot with a green or blue screen outdoors. You’ll also get tips on choosing keying software and working with virtual sets. All this will help you get the best footage possible; however, there will always be things you need to “fix in post,” so this course will also help you fix problem shots.

Here’s a direct link to the online portal to check out this title and see the free demo movies.

Review GoPro HD Hero2

Jeff — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:42:18 +0000

I posted a real-world review of the new GoPro HD Hero2 in the ProVideo Coalition problog. In this review address the claims of the higher resolution, better performance and professional aspects of this micro sports camera.

See how well the HD Hero2 does in the mud with Slo Mo (sot at 120fps)

I’ll go through the different types of shots you can get with the HD Hero2 and some creative uses for this great little camera!

Click Here to read the full review and see video clips from the various tests.

Motion Tracking Tutorial – FREE on PVC

Jeff — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:52:25 +0000

Just published a step-by-step tutorial complete with a downloadable project file and preview video for a highly-requested technique using Mocha AE with After Effects in the Motion Graphics and VFX channels on the PVC (ProVideo Coalition) problog.

Click here to see the tutorial and the demo video

This tutorial is the first in a series of free tutorials, tips and tricks I plan to publish and provide for free through the PVC feed. Please let me know what other techniques you’d like to learn about by responding to this post below!

Cheers,
Jeff

Featured on Adobe’s Web Site

Jeff — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:13:07 +0000

Featured on Adobe’s web site as a Customer Showcase SuccessStory, with some samples of recent VFX work done in a couple feature films for ProductionStudio, FILMS IN MOTION

Click here to read the entire article.
Here’s a couple before & after shots from one of the projects:

Click here to read the entire article.

Featured Speaker at Adobe MAX 2011

Jeff — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:44:18 +0000

I will be doing a 2-part Hands-On Lab workshop, featuring techniques I’ve used for feature films VFX and TV production, at Adobe MAX this year in Los Angeles, Oct. 3-5

Click Here to see the Featured Speaker List

Rotoscoping and Compositing Workflows in After Effects CS5.5 – Parts 1 & 2

In this two-part series, learn how to set up your tablet with hot keys, eliminating the need for a keyboard, and quickly complete roto matting & painting work using Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, and mocha for After Effects. Through hands-on practice projects using real-world examples, you’ll work through the worst-case scenarios you may encounter, including poor green screen, motion blur, complex background removal, and background plate painting. You’ll leave the session with more confidence and with downloadable sessions so you can continue to sharpen your skills on your own.
Track: Design
Audience: Creative Designer
Skill Level: Advanced
Products: After Effects, Photoshop
Speaker: Jeff Foster
Platform: Mac
Times: Tuesday, October 4, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hope to see you at MAX!
Jeff

REVIEW: Adobe After Effects CS5.5

Jeff — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:21:07 +0000

Adobe After Effects CS5.5 mid-cycle update rivals full-scale release

by Jeff Foster, Macworld.com Aug 1, 2011

Check out the link above in the title to see my most recent review for Macworld Magazine of the new features of Adobe After Effects CS5.5.

Hint: the Warp Stabilizer alone is worth the price of the upgrade, but it doesn’t stop there!

Let me know what YOU think about this latest upgrade from Adobe!