Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:33:56 -0500
From: Dirk J Bakker <dbakker-AT-mindspring.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Makin' my first puppet movie


Hi Mathieu,

I've been a lurker for some time but might be of help on this.

Mathieu René wrote:
> -building realistic miniature environments quickly
>   
in degree of realism:

crumpled craftpaper, tarp or cut outs
cardboard boxes glued together
use crayons
use shadows and creative lighting
popsicles made of dried moss dipped in paint or ping pong balls
posters or fish tank or similar backgrounds
rear projection

> -chroma key background (green screen) + free software
>   
http://www.filmtools.com/roschromkeyg.html

http://www.brothersoft.com/t-b-zs4-for-win32-38962.html
(no idea how well this proggy works or what OS you're using)
> -cheap light diffuser for a 60 W lightbulb in a desk lamp, and another for a 600W worklight.
>   
bamboo placemat or similar venetian blind material
rice paper or plastic
translucent white umbrella

(watch heat though)
> -how to use a real painted background (matte painting), without unsightly reflections or light bouncing (if filmed directly, not green screen)
>   
diffuse light hitting it or shade reflective areas
use a soft focus lens
or a polarized filter or light

> -how to make such background a bit fuzzy, to simulate distance...
here you are trying to control the depth of field:
use long focal lengths or the long side of zoom range,
and/or great separation between the background and plane focus is on,
and/or greater magnification of foreground subject

large diaphragm opening or lens speed (small number f/)
large picture format, both of which is may be outside your control.
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