In this module, I was tasked with creating a minute long Visual FX sequence for either a TV commercial, a video game cutscene, opening, intro or other action sequence, an opening or ending of a Film or TV Show, a particular sequence in a Film or TV Show, a Music Video or any other sequence as agreed with the coordinator. In my case, I initially wanted to make a walking sequence but then I ruled it out and decided to go for a video game opening instead.
Research
Like mentioned earlier, I originally decided to make a walking sequence where a character would follow a bright yellow path to the shack, but I scrapped that idea after I made the storyboard for it as I did not have any inspiration at all when making it, and without a clear goal in mind. This is when I came up with the idea of creating a video game opening, with the main inspiration behind this choice being the Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate opening that I happened to stumble across whilst trying to think of some ideas. I wanted to make the video a showcase of the environment I created for a level that I was supposed to make, where the video shows some important locations that are present in the environment itself.
Alongside inspirations, I also researched some effects that I might implement in my video production, such as portal effects, fireflies, fire effects, sparks and blowing leaves.
Storyboards
Old/Scrapped Storyboard
As seen below, this was the old storyboard that I might have been referencing if I have not changed my mind about it along the way. In this storyboard I did not explain the camera movements and did not provide many details as to what I was supposed to do, hence why I decided to restart by making a fresh new storyboard that I can follow efficiently whilst producing the final product.
Improved Storyboard
As you can see below, this is the storyboard that I ended up referencing when making my video sequence, it describes what I will be including in the scene, as well as any sounds that I might include. I have tried to keep to professional standards whilst doing this, but I forgot to mention some visual effects and transitions that I will be using. In shots 2 and 3, there will be leaves falling on the ground and in shot 11 there will be fireflies flying around the area. All shots will have a fade to black transition between them, with extra effects to enhance the overall feel of the piece (like a vignette during some of the shots). For the visual effects, I mostly want them to be believable in the environment that I decided to make them in (a forest), hence why I will not be adding many elements of magic in this production whilst keeping a component of mystery (this is why I decided to add a portal effect in this video sequence).
