Archives for October 2021

Project Title: Little Heros

Author: Tina (Tianyu Zhang)

Date Updated: Oct.19th, 2021

Course and Semester: VFX Production in the Virtual World FA21

Project Statement / Purpose: 

The basic idea of this project is to explore a new way of integrating virtual effects into our daily lives outside of film, mainly through the implementation of live action. In this project, I will also try to use the power of technology to think about and explore an innovative approach to Chinese reality TV/variety shows, in order to bring more original variety shows to China.

Proposal Update:

• Selected Techniques / Styles: 

One thing that I need to correct, from the last video that I showed in my last presentation, the opening of an existing Chinese variety show is mainly using the technology, Motion Graphics, which is slightly a different concept from what we are learning from this course. Therefore, I re-clarify the difference between motion graphics and digital composition, and I will try a new way of integrating digital composition into my opening of the variety show. 

Difference : (Motion Graphics V.S. Visual Effects) 

Motion Graphics equals animated graphic design. Common uses include title sequences, lower third graphics for interviews and informational art cards.

Visual Effects combines existing footage with computer generated imagery to create realistic scenes. Common uses include sky replacements, logo removal and including environmental effects, such as snow, fire, smoke and lightning.

Digital Compositing: 

In this project, I want to make the normal person have some special and supernatural skills, making the participant a hero digitally. 

Would better to shoot the scenes in a green screen studio, or at least have one green screen behind. 

If not feasible, then would refer to the “jump and the building falling down” example shown in class. Make some small tricks to the background. 

Probably will also add some contents related to Motion Graphics: 

In order to make the scene prettier or cuter. 

• Research of the selected topic: 

In recent years, China copying Korean’s original variety shows has become a prevailing practice. The number of original works in China accounts for a small part in comparison with copied works. As an original variety show, Kitchen in the Wild is questioned to be a copy of Back to Field. Hence, Kitchen in the Wild will be the object of this study in order to find out if it is original and innovative, and its merits and demerits. These results will reflect the problems facing the whole Chinese variety show, followed by solutions. Firstly, the content of Kitchen in the Wild and Back to Field Season One will be compared for proving that the former is not copied from the other. Then, analyze the features of reference and innovation. Next, text comments of the program on Douban.com will be divided into two parts, the reasons of its popularity and its problems, which would be analyzed with specific examples. At last, give recommendations to the program and Chinese variety show, combined with policies and current situation of variety shows in China.

• Project Progress: 

• Executive Plan: 

1. 1. 1. 1. Week 7-8: make more storyboards and polish them. 
         2. Week 9-10: decide the special skills every character has, record some short videos, and try to make a sample composition.
         3. Week 11: record the videos.
         4. Week 12: figure out the detailed instructions or ways to fulfill every scene. 
         5. Week 13: make final composition
         6. Week 14: Polish the project!

• Reflection: 

1. 1. 1. Should be time-sensitive, strictly follow the schedule
      2. Make more detailed research on the techniques

Context and Significance: 

As the pace of our life gets faster and faster, there is an increasing number of people who choose to watch variety shows in their spare time. The reason for this phenomenon is that the variety show itself has the characteristic of fragmented and funny, less serious than films, and can be spent much less time on than both films and TV series. 

However, most Chinese variety shows that are existing on the market are copied or imported from other countries, especially from Korea, as mentioned in the research. Therefore, I feel like there is a necessity to make some original ones. Also, I want to make the variety show not a competition based, but more like a documentary. Furthermore, I want the participants not have to be celebrities, instead, producing a variety show that everyone can join. Therefore, to make the audience quickly get the meaning and feel interested in this, a pretty and fancy opening would be needed. 

Citation: 

SunAt, Ruoning. “The Innovation of Chinese Variety Show under the Impact of …” Atlantis Press, https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125909103.pdf.