Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
Exercise 6
3, 2, 1—Countdown
This next exercise takes inspiration from frame-by-frame artists like PES. We
use objects to visually create an opening countdown for your films and other
visual mediums. Traditionally, these countdowns were used to help sync up
a sound track and picture but they have become part of the filmic language
that we know. Each number on a countdown (which can start at 10) should
represent a full second including any movement and the number itself. In our
countdown, we go with the NTSC video frame count of 30 frames per second.
This gives us enough frames to animate any object we choose on single-frame
shots and enough time to see the actual number on a hold of 10 frames (or a
third of a second). For the sake of ease and simplicity, we start our countdown
at 3. You certainly can expand on this exercise, as with all of these exercises,
and start at 10 with various objects or even people. You might consider using
one person for each second of a countdown and have them swing their
arm around in a large circle like the second hand on a clock frame by frame,
changing the person every 30 frames. That is another exercise and requires
many people and a lot of coordination.
I decided to execute this 3, 2, 1—countdown with some everyday objects
around the house. I dug into my childhood trunk and resurrected my old bag
of marbles. I also collect coins from various countries, so some of those Polish
and British coins were pulled into service. Finally, I got hungry while searching
for the first objects, so I made a bag of popcorn. Eureka—there was my final
choice for an interesting object or objects to animate in the countdown.
I decided to shoot these objects on a table. You need a dslr camera on a
taped-down tripod and any lens that gives you enough range or tabletop area
in which to work. I used a 24 mm lens. I also added a very simple direct light
ExErcisE Fig 6.A
The camera,
light, and object setup for the
3, 2, 1—countdown.
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