G7-C1
Zooming Effect
atlantaZoomIn.mpeg
Plot
The video starts from a large picture of Earth and zooms all the way into a shot of the State Capital building in Atlanta.
Effect
The effect is a "zooming in" effect. The video begins with a shot of Earth centered on Atlanta, and zooms in over 30 seconds to a shot of the capital building. Here are some still showing some different levels of zoom.
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How we thought it was done
We believe they took around 30 still images from the exact same satellite position (centered on Atlanta) all at different zooms. They then interpolated between these images to create the other frames of the video.
How the effect was actually done
The zooming effect is a compilation of many photographs taken from cameras mounted on orbiting satellites. Every frame of the animation is a separate photograph, taken at different times. Because the camera is not stationary, the images must be collected over a long period of time. When the satellite is in the appropriate position during its orbit, a new picture is taken (at a different level of zoom than before). There are actually multiple satellites (at different distances from the Earth) taking images for the single zoom effect. The camera furthest from the surface takes the more zoomed out shots, etc. until the closest camera gets the most zoomed-in shot. The data from these cameras are compiled in order of largest to smallest to complete the effect.
Alternate Ways of Doing the Effect
Discuss alternative means of doing this effect, if any. Has new technology made this easier? Discuss if this effect has some bearing on/inspiration for the effect you're planning to do.
One alternative, although not quite practical, mean to achieve this effect would be to actually use a camera and film going from space down to a fixed object on Earth. Newer technology is less expensive, more advanced, and makes this more feasible than say, 20 years ago, however, it would still be very very difficult to launch a spacecraft into space for the sole purpose of filming a short 30 second clip. It would also be rather hard to control the actual motion of the camera and to actually get an accurate "landing zone" of where the final destination will be.
How is this related to our effect
This has a possibility of relating to our project as one of our group members has come up with an idea of using multiple subjects and zooming in real close on one and have another subject sitting on the other (like a flea) and then continuing to zoom in on the second subject in a cyclic fashion. If this didnt make any sense, stay tuned for storyboards if we decide on doing this implementation.
Link to this Page
- DVFX 2005 Groups last edited on 7 August 2005 at 11:52 am by pcp08664669pcs.500ash01.tn.comcast.net