Visual Visual EffectsEffects

You can’t believeYou can’t believeeverything you see!everything you see!

Visual effects are special Visual effects are special effects the audience sees effects the audience sees that were NOT really there that were NOT really there when the footage was when the footage was shot.shot.

Visual effects can be done Visual effects can be done live, during production, or live, during production, or edited in during edited in during postproduction.postproduction.

Visual Effects Visual Effects EquipmentEquipmentSome cameras have visual Some cameras have visual effects options.effects options.

Video mixers create a wide Video mixers create a wide variety of effects & can be variety of effects & can be used for live or taped used for live or taped shows.shows.

Visual Effects Visual Effects EquipmentEquipment

Character generators Character generators create type on screen.create type on screen.

Graphics generators Graphics generators create logos, graphics, create logos, graphics, maps, etc. on screen.maps, etc. on screen.

Digital editing Digital editing systems (using systems (using computers) offer computers) offer nearly endless visual nearly endless visual effects options.effects options.

Examples of Visual Examples of Visual EffectsEffects

Visual effects are used in live Visual effects are used in live broadcasts (such as sports, broadcasts (such as sports, election results, etc.)election results, etc.)

They’re also found in local & They’re also found in local & national newscasts.national newscasts.

They’re used in nearly every They’re used in nearly every film & ad campaign produced.film & ad campaign produced.

TransitionsTransitionsVisual effects placed between two Visual effects placed between two clips.clips.

Can be used to make footage flow Can be used to make footage flow smoother or to add visual impact.smoother or to add visual impact.

Transitions take footage from each Transitions take footage from each clip, so leave cushion footage at the clip, so leave cushion footage at the start & end of each clip.start & end of each clip.

Be sure to check audio levels once Be sure to check audio levels once transitions are placed!transitions are placed!

Matte KeyMatte KeySimultaneous overlay of two Simultaneous overlay of two pictures on the same screenpictures on the same screen

Can be used for fantasy, dream Can be used for fantasy, dream or memory scenes or to add or memory scenes or to add titles or graphics.titles or graphics.

Split ScreenSplit ScreenTwo different video feeds are Two different video feeds are shown at the same time on the shown at the same time on the screen.screen.

Usually used for live news, when Usually used for live news, when covering a story outside of the covering a story outside of the studio (the anchor talks with studio (the anchor talks with reporter or does an interview with reporter or does an interview with someone at a different location)someone at a different location)

ChromakeyChromakeyReplaces a base picture with a different Replaces a base picture with a different source image, by selecting one color to source image, by selecting one color to remove from the footage.remove from the footage.

Usually use bright green or blue, as they Usually use bright green or blue, as they aren’t naturally found in human skin or aren’t naturally found in human skin or hair.hair.

Can be used for backgrounds or other Can be used for backgrounds or other special effects (examples: Lt. Dan’s legs special effects (examples: Lt. Dan’s legs or Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak)or Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak)

RemindersRemindersVisual effects are now easy to do Visual effects are now easy to do & so many people overuse them.& so many people overuse them.

Visual effects should improve your Visual effects should improve your footage, not distract from it.footage, not distract from it.

Visual effects CAN’T save Visual effects CAN’T save a bad script!a bad script!