Two of myself in the same frame....?

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 3:22 am

Could anybody hear explain to me how, if possible, to have two of myself interacting with each other in the same shot without the use of a green/bluescreen?? If I were to shoot one side of the conversation and then, with timing in mind, shoot the other side without affecting camera position, can I composite the two "me's" into one final shot?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

poonhead · Post by **poonhead** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 3:23 am

As long as the camera doesn't move, and the focus and exposure is locked, then you can easily hide a split screen.

Carnage7p · Post by **Carnage7p** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 3:34 am

well yes and no. you wouldnt be able to actually interacty by shaking hands with yourself. but otherwise you could have a conversation with yourself. it is best if you create your own alpha map. go to Ornsack's site here and it should explain it better. i did a scene where i shot myself. it turned out great.

[Edited on 10-9-2003 by Carnage7p]

John Groshko · Post by **John Groshko** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:42 am

You could also use a "animated mask" for your shots. Although they take a long time, they would allow you to walk in-front of your-self and vice-versa. Animated masks would allow more interation between...yourself.
After Effects and other compositing programs can do this.

bangoker · Post by **bangoker** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:12 am

yeah, if you have after effects you can shoot the background and then, (with moving the camra) shot yourself, you use a "difference matte" to key yourself out and make an alfa of every you, then you combine all of you with their respecitve alfas and it should be ok

just remember not to move the camar or anything int he background (dont shoot in front of trees or cars or something that moves)

i havent actually tried this, but in theory it should work.

[Edited on 10-9-2003 by bangoker]

HetH · Post by **HetH** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 7:10 am

There is also a possibility to use panning in a clone shot. If you shoot both versions of yourself doing something from different angles without moving the camera (tripooood) you can use After EffectÃ‚Â´s 3D Layer capabilities to still match both shots and use a virtual 3D camera to do the pan. That way you get the natural lens distortion and the pan looks much more realistic then just scrolling from one side to the other.

So you shoot the first scene of you standing somewhere, doing something. Now stop the recording, turn the camera letÃ‚Â´s say about 20 degrees to the right. Be careful to still have some of the picture elements from the first shot visible after turning the camera. Now shoot the actions of your second self. When done import both movies into AE. Place them both on the timeline and and activate the 3D layer function for both.

Now turn one of them on the y-axis to match it with the second one, so you get the perspective right. ItÃ‚Â´s a good idea to match both videos by using some kind of reference point which is visible in both videos.
Use a very softened mask to get the transition between both videos as invisible as possible. Now add a virtual 3D camera to your composition and animate it like it is panning from one side to the other and with some testing and teawking you should a have a very widescreen video of you interacting with... you, incl. a moving camera!

insert_coin · Post by **insert_coin** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 7:07 pm

uhh animated mask would be best... extra work but it looks pretty damn good... heres one i did a while back

Lots of Sean

Carnage7p · Post by **Carnage7p** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 9:15 pm

could i do the animated mask with premiere 6.0

HetH · Post by **HetH** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:39 pm

I donÃ‚Â´t think so. Premiere is not exactly an special effects program of that kind. So to speak it does not have the ability to use masks at all. You will need a compositing package mentioned like after effects or one of the other ones (combustion should be mentioned I think, though I never used it, nor had it).

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 7:18 pm

Wow... its great that you guys are so willing to provide help, but the thing is I'm not a very technical person and I can hardly comprehend some of this stuff! lol The "animated mask" thing would probably work, but I have no idea how to do that!

If you have the time, please make a short tutorial or something... you would be my hero!!!

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:11 pm

Okay, this probably won't help, but it's the best I can come up with considering that my mouse is really annoying me, and that my internet connection is slower than snail's pace:

Use a mirror!

That's all! I'll go now!

HetH · Post by **HetH** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:47 pm

Actually I donÃ‚Â´t have the time right now to explain it here in-depth, but hereÃ‚Â´s a tutorial for cloning in after effects, maybe itÃ‚Â´s of help to you:

http://www.durbnpoisn.com/films/clonetut/index.asp

You definitely need a program like After Effects or similar to work with animated masks. Premiere is not able for such effect work.

insert_coin · Post by **insert_coin** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 5:17 pm

uhh ill try and knock up a tutorial for you real quick tomorrow... i have to sleep right now...