How do Sky makes those still pics appear to be moving?

Tobers

Tobers

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You know those shots that Sky have on their trailers. They'll have a still pic but it appears to be made of 2 or 3 layers which are set to move and give depth to the image.

For example, you'll have a shot of a footballers who appears to be moving in relation to the ball and the background, although they are all still shots (or appear to be).

How do they do that then? Is it a matter of cutting layers out and superimposing them with some fancy software so they move relative to each other? Or taking 3 separate shots and fiddling with them in some other way?
 
I've seen that done on crime documentaries and stuff too, so i dont think it is multiple shots, not in most instances anyway.

I think they cut elements out of the background, put them on a 'new layer', enlarge them, and then move them as you see on TV.

Thats my off the top of my head guess anyway.

Adey
 
After Effects do beautiful works.
 
Is it not just a high speed video camera being moved at high speed?

I'm pretty sure that's all it is.

Certainly would be the simplest way. Would require a very high speed camera and for it to be moving very fast too.
 
Well ok i thought the OP was talking about still images, but yes high speed video will give a similar effect, but im not so sure the OP is talking about video.

Edit - Literally just seen it done on ci channel (like i said earlier...spooky), definatley not video in that instance, so i know there is a least a none video version.
 
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Yep - pretty sure they are stills not video. Very cool. I'd like to know if it can be done with a decent pc or if it needs a few racks of processing power, and what software is used.
 
Do you mean these sort of advert?
[YOUTUBE]A283ThlHPjU[/YOUTUBE]
 
iancandler said:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=269698

Watch the video, all is explained
Click to expand...

This isnt really relevant to what he originally asked, this is a technique to do "bullet time", which you would setup specifically to shoot somthing in that way - which does produce a 3d feel.

What hes asking is how to produce shots similar to Sky's series of adverts. Which those were produced by editing existing HD footage in movies and sports that they have in the libary - dramatic images. This is achieved in post in programs like after effects , and it also achieveable in 3dsmax/Maya/XSI etc, programs that have a camera that moves on all axis. Using a series of layers like he had already worked out.

It involves alot of masking and can be quite time consuming but its really nice effect. Company i used to work for used to use them in their lobby to bring normal slideshows alive.

Checkout those Video Copilot tutorials

Also there was a discussion on Avid community i just come across
http://community.avid.com/forums/p/66978/375108.aspx
 
There's a brilliant section in the pub scene of 'The Other Guys' that uses this to really good effect! :o)
 
A freind of mine recently had a photo of his used on a TV program. I noticed the background moving in relation to the foreground. It was a still picture so I too was baffled by how they achieved the effect.:shrug:
 
Thanks for the replies. I dont think the Sky stuff is "bullet time". I've had a close look at the clip Jimmy Lemon posted up and it's very curious. There appear to be some still elements and some moving elements, and it's all from a single vantage point rather than the moving vantage point that bullet time has.

Just watched that video copilot example and it looks indeed like thats how they do it. Adobe After Effects is the key.
 
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Actually, not After Effects, but some very expensive software/hardware and work by graphic artists, taking existing footage then cutting out the relevant details, making some to fill in the background, then putting it all back together again in layers. You need software with a Z axis alignment to bring it all together and add the depth.
 
adenphoto said:
Its done in after effects. Video Copilot has gone over it in a tutorial before. Its quite simple when you know how.

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/animating_a_still/
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/virtual_3d_photos/
Click to expand...

I watched the video in the first link above all the way through. It's using After Effects and it is just amazing. I never knew you could manipulate a still photo in as comprehensive a way as that (it's got Z-axis alignment too). Absolutely gob-smacking, especially the way he makes the cloud billow out of the volcano which is what I couldn't work out.

It's really worth 30 mins to watch it.
 
Byker28i said:
Actually, not After Effects, but some very expensive software/hardware and work by graphic artists, taking existing footage then cutting out the relevant details, making some to fill in the background, then putting it all back together again in layers. You need software with a Z axis alignment to bring it all together and add the depth.
Click to expand...

After effects has Z axis alignment and has for a while.

Dont know were your getting the idea After Effects isnt used, worked in the industry for a few years and have hands on experience in studios and experienced used on alot of tv stuff. For Post stuff its mainly After Effects or Combustion thats used.

Recently since AE has gone 64 bit support and i know a few studios i used to work in have gone completely After Effects now.

But your correct on the construction details - thats exactly how its done.

Tobers said:
I watched the video in the first link above all the way through. It's using After Effects and it is just amazing. I never knew you could manipulate a still photo in as comprehensive a way as that (it's got Z-axis alignment too). Absolutely gob-smacking, especially the way he makes the cloud billow out of the volcano which is what I couldn't work out.

It's really worth 30 mins to watch it.
Click to expand...


Glad you enjoyed it buddy, Andrew Kramer is a very very intelligent guy and has some kickass after effects stuff. Look forward to seeing your results if your giving it a shot!
 
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adenphoto said:
After effects has Z axis alignment and has for a while.

Dont know were your getting the idea After Effects isnt used, worked in the industry for a few years and have hands on experience in studios and experienced used on alot of tv stuff. For Post stuff its mainly After Effects or Combustion thats used.

Recently since AE has gone 64 bit support and i know a few studios i used to work in have gone completely After Effects now.

But your correct on the construction details - thats exactly how its done.
Click to expand...

Was confused about this too, I've never actually used After Effects but I was sure it had z axis, not sure where byker got the idea it didn't have it, maybe on an old version it didnt
 
There's two different techniques here, the one posted above in the video with Wayne Rooney sliding at the end is high speed video (sometimes shot from a moving camera). Or a simulation thereof done in PP.

The other kind is a series of cameras each taking one picture in quick succession (or simultaneously).

The primary difference is the former involves video footage and the later still cameras. The former is generally more compelling IMO, the frozen-object-from-all-angles spinny thing was cool in The Matrix but then got boring.
 
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