Compositing

What is compositing?

Compositing is the combining various 2d images and effects into a single image.The goal
of 2d work is that the viewer should be unaware that anything has been done to modify
the image. The results of this work should be seamless when projected on a big screen

Another way to think of compositing would be as the process of combining multiple

footage layers or elements to make them appear as if they were shot with the same
camera, at the same time. All the elements together should look like that they belong to
the same environment .The environment in compositing terms is considerd the
background or BG plate and is typically live action footage. Examples of image elements
that can go into a composite are BG plate(live action photography),Blue/Green screens,
CGI characters and objects, practiclas, miniature models,matte paintings,text etc.

What elements does compositor start with?

• Working with Lighters
• Character elements from the lighter
• FG/green screens
• Rotoscoping works
• FX elements
• Stages of approval

What is expected from a compositor?

1. Compositing experience
2. Node based compositing software like shake, fusion
3. Lighting experience
4. Good all around knowledge of CGI
5. An eye for detail(So much of what we perceive as real is in the small
things – the kind of things that a compositor needs ti think about to make
a shot look like it was actually shot)
6. Technical ability
7. Skill sets
A compositor needs a good sense of compositing, Lighting, color, perspective and finally
sharp eyes
Apart from these he must be good at adapting to new technologies must be good learner,
must work under pressure must be innovative and finally he must be ready for worst case
scenarios(DEADLINE) always.
8. Become a problem solver
Probably the most important skill you can possess and I cant emphasize this enough is the
ability to problem solve and be resourceful. Often times on a project, image elements are
assigned to you that don’t fit together at all and it’s the compositors responsibility to
make them seamless and believable when they are composited. Elements might come to
you in a different color space resolution or format than what you are presently working in
and you have to make adjustments as needed. Objects may need to be rotoscoped or
painted out of a shot which in a smaller facility where you are more of a generalist, oyu
would be responsible for doing this>Ina larger facility the roles are more specialized and
you mould most likely be compositing only.
With no green screen we were forced to use other keying methods including difference
matting and luma keying to provide enough separation to give us the matte we were
looking for. Even though a minor problem that is one example of the types of issues a
compositor faces on a daily basis. Where a supervisor or director just tells you to fix it
and its up to you to figure it how.

9. Train your Eye:

If you are the type of person that has a knack and a passion for painting, photography and
other 2D fine arts the you will probably make a good compositor. Like a painter painting
a landscape a compositor typically works from the back and then forward. He/she also
has to be familiar with things like camera movement (matching it or stabilizing it), depth
of fields, lighting, shadows ,keying,color grading and matching, contrast, atmosphere
perspective(objects closer ot camera have more contrast than objects in the distance,
where black appears more gray),composition, key-framing and animation. motion blur,
grain etc.
Compositors are experts at mimicking the world around us. Casually take a moment to
observe your environment, for example how transparent a reflection is on a car shield or
how a sun casts a warm orangey how on everything as it sets or how the trees that whiz
by you while driving in your cab are motion blurred but the car beside you going at the
same rate of speed as you ins not motion blurred.

The demo reel

The contributions you make on your class projects can be used to create your first demo
reel. Dont you think it is waste of time if you only have a few shots at students level.You
have to start somewhere and recruiters know this,so don’t be afraid to puta reeltogether.
And always remember to submit a demoreel break downwith your showreel that explains
the work you did on each shot, preferably with thumbnail stills to make it easy for people
to understand.
The compositing beginners’ showreel must have the shots with the use of following
techniques

1.Keying
2.Rotoscoping
3.Wire removal
4.2D tracking
5.Sketches
6.Pantings , photography