The last steps in the production phase
In our previous “Behind the scenes” we spoke about Rigging, Animatic, and Animation, which are the first steps in the production phase of a movie. This time we want to tell you what happens after the animation, when we already have a draft copy of what the movie will look like.Stereoscopy
When the draft we have created earlier passes the check, if needed, we start working on stereoscopy. With multi-sensory movies, we set up stereo cameras to shoot proper 3D footage. On the other hand, when we produce VR movies we use two 360-degree cameras. Stereoscopy is very important in multi-sensory films because it’s what gives our brain the illusion of depth. Thanks to stereoscopy you can see the images actually popping out the screen. It’s a delicate process: if you mess up the stereoscopy in an immersive film, you feel the movie as nauseating or uninteresting. So, we can all agree on the fact that in multi-sensory films stereoscopy plays a huge role. This is why we make multiple tests, in order to deliver you the most immersive and spectacular tridimensional illusions!
The stereoscopy phase, which confers the illusion of depth, from our immersive movie "Peter Pan - Saving Tinkerbell".
Shading and lighting
This part is very fascinating - shading and lighting are what make immersive films even more photorealistic and akin to the world that surrounds us. Metal and wood are different in real life and they don’t behave in the same way when dealing with other objects. Skin, plastic, glass, concrete, fur: every surface has its specific features. This is when shading comes into play. When creating a computer graphics film, producers assign physical data to every surface inside the movie. This data tells the software how surfaces should behave in the digital world. All the materials inside the movie are “tagged” by shaders, which transmit to the software every information about it. It’s easy to understand what the lighting is about, the name says it all. During the lighting process, all the lights inside the movie are put into place. The way a certain environment is lighted is very important in order to create a realistic virtual world and to replicate the atmosphere imagined by the authors of the movie.
The process of lighting and shading in a frame from "Peter Pan - Saving Tinkerbell"
Special effects
Do you like special effects? This is the point when we create them! Special effects heavily contribute to immersive films as they create a unique atmosphere inside the movie. Water, smoke, explosions and much more: these are the things that make virtual reality and multi-sensory movies so engaging. Your audience wants to experience an exciting adventure in person: that’s why special effects are so important for your spectators. And, let’s be honest, making them is great fun as well!
An example of a special effect applied to the fairy's magic dust.
Rendering
This is the last production step. Basically, the rendering is performed by the computer, which has to interpret all the data provided by the modelers, animators, and artists. This stage is very important since it’s the final outcome of all the previous steps. The rendering “freezes” the models and the animations inside a final file. This file will become the basis for the professionals that are in charge of the post-production phase. At the end of this stage, the film can be considered almost done, it will only need the final touches that will be added during the post-production phase.
The rendering process of the main character of the movie, Peter Pan.
