Mocha: Untrackable shot? [LINK]
by Jason Armstrong
on
Oct 31, 2009 at 6:07:29 pm
Ok, I have a part of a long steadicam shot in which I need to track a television and replace the screen. I've tried everything I can think of to no avail to get the track close.
If anyone has suggestions or is interested in taking a crack, let me know.
Re: Mocha: Untrackable shot? [LINK] by Ben Heusner Brownlee on Nov 2, 2009 at 6:55:41 am
Hi Jason,
This isn't the simplest screen replace but it's far from untrackable. Got a workable result in about 6 minutes :o)
Tracking the screen itself is probably not the best idea here. There's not a great deal of information there, the screen's sticking out from the wall so the wall detail isn't giving coplanar motion. My first track on the TV was OK, but inaccurate enough that I knew it would be a pain to bring back in the Adjust Track. Not worth it. Better to retrack.
So, it's time to think laterally. The beauty of the planar tracker is that you're looking for planar motion. So why not track something coplanar? Check out the white aircon(?) thingy to the left of the screen. It's got good detail, and tracks well. The only issue there is the waitress's head pops into shot for a few frames. What to do, what to do? Add a simple track matte over the top. Problem solved.
Finally, to the adjust. The data from the aircon is obviously not going to match our screen 100%. So, pop into the Adjust Track tab and finesse the data - adding as few keyframes as possible. The bottom right corner was the biggest pain with 7 minor adjustments. Bottom left needed only 2.
Here's a screenshot of the UI and despite what it says, I used Small Motion for the majority of the track.
Hope this stream of consciousness post has helped a bit.
Cheers,
Ben
Curious Turtle Pro Video Training | Editing | Support
Out Now - Film Wash Color Effects Vol. 3
& Mocha training for AE & FCP
Re: Mocha: Untrackable shot? [LINK] by Ross Shain on Nov 3, 2009 at 9:49:56 pm
I am looking at the shot and my initial thought is to track the restroom sign and the objects on the wall near that as they are pretty relative to the plane of the TV. Will try this and let you know, but I don't think this is untrackable.
-R
Ross Shain
Imagineer Systems
www.imagineersystems.com