Extra Credit @ CTNX 2014

Here is my Paypal payment for CTN 2014! I misplaced my badge and could not find any confirmation Emails so this is the best proof I had!

I had a blast, learned a lot met a lot of people and hung out with good friends :D

Recreating Cameras and Lights in Maya

Original

Render

three-quarter

Lighting a Scene in Maya

1 point

 2 point

 3 point

Outline of the Third Term Paper

Special effects in Animation and Live Action

1. For this paper, I will be comparing the visual effects of fire from two different titles, Uncharted 3, Drake’s Deception and Fantistic 4
1. Thesis: Both titles achieved realistic fire in verry different ways since one is a video game and one is a live action movie
1. they both however, have thier flaws.

2. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
1. Briefly discuss the background and story of the game
2. Describe the scene in which the fire takes place
3. Discuss the techniques used to create the special effect
1. Was it sucessful or uncessful?
1. explain arguments for both sides.

3. Fantastic 4
1. Briefly discuss the background and story of the movie
2. Describe the scene in which the fire takes place
3. Discuss the techniques used to create the special effect
1. Was it sucessful or uncessful?
1. explain arguments for both sides.

Character Animation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKnSUT4yOhU

Here is our final animation. Natalia and I animated and Michelle edited!

Here's Natalia animating  and our animation rig.

And here is our set up!

Term Paper # 2: Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction?

Newton’s third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Is probably THE most purposely ignored, pushed, exaggerated and abused physics law in cinema, television and game’s history. With modern computer graphics, animation and film making techniques directors manipulate physics with more freedom than ever. And with this great power comes great responsibility (to the viewer and loyan consumer). lets take a look at 3 very different genres and titles who take advantage and play god with the physics universe and analyze what works and what doesnt? Specifically we’ll take a look at X-Men: Days of Future Past, the 2014 Film directed by Brian Singer, Shadow of Mordor, the 2014 action RPG developed by Monolith Productions. And finally Family Guy, the Fox TV show.

The Physics of X-Men: Days of Future past - This first example is, in my opinion an example of how physics is pushed to motivate the story and immerse the viewer. The sequence we’ll be taking a look at is the opening fight between the Sentinels and the Mutants. This is a to-scale comparison between Sentinels and Mutants. (Mutant on the right). 

And in the movie the scale comparisons are even greatly exaggerated with clever camera use. By even suggesting that these two could go toe to toe throws all reality out of the window and a new set of rules can come in to play and boy does Singer take advantage of the absurdity of the match up. As the fight unfolds, the sentinals are in a constat position of dominance but you never feel as if the Mutants had no shot to begin with. They are tiny in comparison, but formidable in physical prowess. In one scene, Colossus battles a sentinel. The Sentinel winds back and punch and throws his whole 2 story body into it. The force collides with the open palm of Colossus and is stopped dead. Clearly, Newton’s third law was completely ignored for drama’s sake. Colossus appears to have superhuman strength and is able to absorb the impact without so much as a broken sweat. If Physics had acted properly and accurately, The sentinels hand would have smashed Colossus’ entire body into the ground while breaking every bone, and that would have been that. End of movie.

Next we look at the physics of Shadow of Mordor. In this game you play a human named Talon. You have a couple objectives and purposes in this game. 1) kill orcs 2) kill orcs. 3)Kill more orcs. 4) Repeat steps 1 through 3. this repetitive nature of the game is precisely why the pushed physics does not work.

The reckless nature at which Talon massacres orcs indiscriminately actually weakens his sense of power. Instead of a mortal with superhuman strength, the becomes a superhuman god of sorts with unstoppable power. Because He is SO far removed from reality it is hard to sympathize with him and his non existant weaknesses. An example of how the third rule of newton was repeatedly broken would be when And or 3 times his size would bring a mace crashing down on him and he’d simply reflect it with a parry of his one handed dagger. Clearly, there was no equal and opposite reaction to the 100lb weapon swung at his face. Similarly, you have the ability to dodge in this game by tucking down and rolling out of harms way. The problem is that the reaction does not fit the action. With almost no anticipation or beginning momentum, Talon is able to get across the screen from idle stand still to full on sprinting. in less than a second. It’s just not believable.

And finally, We will analyze a fight scene in Family Guy between Peter, an overweight middle aged man from Nantucket MA. and a human sized, anthropomorphic chicken. Clearly this fight will be the most physically accurate of the three! Only kidding… 

The absolute absurdity of it all throws all rules once again out of the window and physics is used to comical effect. At one point, the two, fighting inside of a moving ice cream truck (of course) and come flying into a telephone pole at what must have been 50 miles an hour. The 50 MPH collision did not fit the reaction which was the pole bending about 35 degrees stopping the truck completely. The fight continues and they find themselves in space. (don't ask) and for some reason the fight becomes slow motion. (zero gravity equals slow motion?) Due to the absence of gravity in space the third law should be extremely apparent. As peter punches the chicken they should both propell in opposite directions. Instead, peter stays still in position and the chicken is sent flying (in slow motion). The hilarity and absolute absurdity of it all was just funny and I really never did mind that they broke just about every physics law.

In the end, what’s most important is that, however you decide to breatk the laws of physics, it is important you do it in the right context and for the sake of the story and for the entertainment of your viewers. Xmen: Days of Future Past and Family realized what the peramiters of their universe were and the physics reflected them accordingly and to sucessful effect. Shadow of Mordor pushed physics beyond the breaking point and the result was repetitive uneventful and unmemorable.

2nd Term Paper Outline

Jonathan Chu

Term Paper 2 Outline

Outline of the second Term Paper

1. Introduction -  Three films chosen to analyze Newton’s 3rd Law.
1. Describe Newton’s Third Law
2. Indroduce Examples
1. X-Men First Class (movie)
2. Shadow of Mordor (video game)
3. Family Guy (Tv Show)
2. The Physics of X-Men First Class
1. A Short Synopsis of the film
2. First Fight between the Mutants and the Sentinels.
1. The fight scene between Colosus and Sentinel.
2. The difference in Size and weight between the two should have a much different effect out the outcome of the fight.
3. Example of how the shot would have been different with correct physics.
4. The reasoning for breaking the law.
1. To create a sense of heroism and superhuman strength.
3. The Physics of Shadow of Mordor
1. A short Synopsis of the Game
2. Talon is a small human and he fights off hordes orcs with ease while constatnly breaking Newton’s 3rd law.
1. Massive forces like 6 feet swords wielded by giants collide with him and he shrugs them off with a small dagger.
2. Example of how the gameplay would be different with correct physics
3. The reason for breaking the law,
4. The Physics of Family Guy
1. A short Synopsis of the Game
1. A fight scene between Peter and a human sized anthropromophic chicken.
1. On many ocasions both peter and the chicken puch with almost no secondary body movment indicating the punch did not create much force but the target goes flying off screen as if hit by a wrecking ball.
2. Example of how the shot would have been different with correct physics
3. The reason for breaking the law.
1. For comedic and dramatic effect.
5. Conclusion
1. Summation of points
2. Restate thesis.