Technicolor Explores the Significant Role of Roto in VFX
Rotoscoping has been widely used in animation for many years, but the technique is also being used extensively now for film and TV production visual effects (VFX), according to Raja Bhattacharjee, roto trainer at the Technicolor Creative Studios Academy.
On Aug. 22, during the 11th episode of the “Learn, Create & Grow” webinar series, on the “Art of Roto for VFX,” he explored roto concepts, the tools and techniques that can be used in roto projects, critical workflows for projects, practical tips, tricks and best practices that will enhance roto capabilities and optimise workflow.
Rotoscoping is not just useful for VFX production: It is now “required in the VFX industry,” he said at the start of his presentation, noting his focus would be on postproduction.
“Today, almost everything is possible thanks to amazing and seamless visual effects work,” he told viewers.
“Rotoscope is used to create an animated sequence by tracing over the live action footage, frame by frame, which produce a graphics asset for both animated and live action projects,” he said.
The creatives who are responsible for these effects are known as roto artists, he noted, adding it is “important to follow” some principles “to become a successful roto artist.”
He divided the process into two stages: the primary and advanced stages. The first part of the primary stage is “planning and analyzation,” he pointed out. “To begin, we need to analyse the work according to the reference or task, and plan according to the given time.”
Next up was tracking. “By tracking our footage accurately, we are able to significantly reduce our workload and complete the project more efficiently,” he told viewers.
Moving on to the advanced stage, he said the first step is “adding motion blur,” an effect that “simulates how motion appears in a moving object in a photograph.”
Next up was the defocus area. “In some cases, we find some element with lots of blur, while the other element is clear,” he said, adding the “blur mode is called defocus in technological terms” and, “if you have received this type of shot, you will only need to draw and maintain the shape at the middle of your image.”
He added that, “in some cases, we find some element with lots of blur, while the other element is clear; this blur mode is called defocus.”
Last up were quality checks, which he told viewers “play a critical role after you complete your work.”
The webinar followed an entry in the “Learn, Create & Grow” webinar series in July focused on layout and pre-visualisation (previs), which play a major role in creativity today in the world of film production. Viewers of that 10th webinar in the series were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of layout and previs concepts as Technicolor explored their definitions and their significance within various industries, including film, animation and game development, as well as their essential role in the production process.