First Ever VFX Shot

[greene_04]

As a hobbyist, this is my first ever VFX shot. I realize that there are things wrongs with the shot, but I am hoping that you friendly folk here can point out my mistakes and help me to improve my skills.

The original footage was shot using the video mode of a still camera. Tracking was done in PFTrack. CG was done in houdini. Composited in Fusion.

complete.mov

Edited March 2, 2009 by greene_04

[King Kirby]

Looks good for a first ever vfx shot. Here is one suggestion that should be simple to implement.

Consider the camera may be shaken by air or ground waves before getting destroyed by the oncoming debris. In this case either do this in camera with a shake before you do your tracking and time your digital effect accordingly, or do camera shake as a post process a few frames after impact. The camera shake not only makes it more realistic, but can hide other things like the grass not being affected, etc. (unless you want to do those too).

[greene_04]

Thanks. I forgot about acting with the camera to the effect. It would have made it seem as though someone were actually holding a camera and watching.

Are there any specific things or skills that require more attention from me? Tracking, compositing, cg elements? I realize the effect doesn't interact with the small bushes on the ground.

I knows this is a houdini forum and my questions may be irelevant to this site, so I apologize, but any suggestions that would help me become a better at doing effects would be much appreciated.