Super8mm Projection Effect - Likeness

The most interesting and successful part of the Likeness shoot has definitely been the chroma keying with the super 8mm projection effect placed behind each character. In order to achieve this we considered two options; we conducted several tests with a video projector in EMB, but found that it lacked definition and clarity, while limiting our post-production choices in terms of which moments of the film were projected behind the characters. In addition, the proximity of the projector to the screen was very limiting in terms of our specific camera angle, and so we felt that the use of greenscreen was a preferable option.

Fortunately, we were able during our time in SIF to utilise their greenscreen; I was very pleased with the end result. The lighting provided at SIF allowed for a consistent exposure on the screen while the space available to us allowed separate lighting on the actors. The process was very efficient as the shots were easy to obtain, and the shoot fit in nicely with the sequence we were shooting against SIF's black walls.

The projection effect itself used a layer of super 8mm-style footage over the top of our 7D video; we then colour graded it to give a vintage film aesthetic. This was completed in Adobe AfterEffects, using mostly shots that didn't make it into the final cut of the other parts of our film.