How to Best Use Twixtor for Extreme Slow Motion _ Philip Bloom
-
Upload
f-exequiel-montanez -
Category
Documents
-
view
80 -
download
4
Transcript of How to Best Use Twixtor for Extreme Slow Motion _ Philip Bloom
Written by Philip BloomWritten by Philip Bloom 29 responses29 responses Posted in: Posted in: EditingEditing, , Guest blogGuest blog, , Post tutorialsPost tutorials
How to best use twixtor for extreme slow motionHow to best use twixtor for extreme slow motion 1313S E PS E P2 0 1 12 0 1 1
I have used twixtor myself for a few projects but I have never had terrific success with it. One of the
best filmmakers I know who uses Twixtor really well is my friend Salomon Ligthelm, whom I met when
he lived in Dubai back in January last year. He put up a new video a couple of days ago, Gravity, and
he was kind enough to write this guest blog post on how to get the best out of it.
Twixtor will not give you as good results as a dedicated high speed camera of course. They do that job
incredibly well. You need to light a lot to make them work but as you will read below you need to do
the same with twixtor to get the high shutter speeds needed. But for those whose budget means renting
a Phantom Flex or something similar is out of the question Salomon guides you through the best ways
to make the most out this powerful, but tricky plug-in.
Gravity – Director’s Cut from Salomon on Vimeo.
Let me quickly explain how Twixtor works: It takes your footage [generally your transcoded 50fps, or 60fps
footage and "guesses/interpolates" your missing/in-between frames
I guess with every project the approach is somewhat different. When Twixtor becomes a part of my workflow I
need to become increasingly more aware of the way I am shooting so that I have workable footage in post.
I wanted to shoot something different to all the other Twixtor stuff I've been seeing - which have all been shot
outside. I wanted to try shooting super slomo using the Canon 7D and Twixtor in interiors.
Here are a few key things to consider when working with Twixtor:
Shooting Workflow:
1. Shoot at a fast shutter: anything 1/2000 - 1/4000s. [so your lighting needs to be good]
search for... SearchSearch
Top PostsTop Posts
1. The elusive work/ life
balance....can you achieve
success AND have a life?
2. 10+ steps to becoming mega
successful in video
production and probably
winning many awards whilst
becoming super rich!!
3. The camera conundrum:
which one to buy?
4. Video review of the
BlackMagic Cinema
Camera!!
5. Review of the Canon
5DmkIII now with full video
review and footage
6. Review of Sony FS700! Both
parts now live!!
7. Final short film for Sony
using the FS100 "Portrait of
a boxer"
8. Full Frame Shootout:
Review of Nikon D800, D4
and Canon 5DmkIII
9. The tale of Lucasfilm,
Skywalker Ranch, Star Wars
and Canon DSLRs on a 40
foot screen!
10. Part 1 and 2 now live!! The
Christmas mini shootout
with the C300 (pre-
production), F3, FS100,
hacked GH2 and more!!
11. Which...lenses to buy?
12. Canon DSLRs: some of the
best picture profiles out
there
13. Lucasfilm's "RED TAILS"
that I helped shoot on
Canon DSLRS open's 20th
January in the US! Go see it!
14. NAB 4: New Zacuto products
including innovative follow
focus on hand grip the
2. Shoot against a plain/solid colored background – sky/wall etc etc.
3. Shoot at the highest point of action. The law of nature is that what must goes up, must come down. Its the
movement at the top of an arc/trajectory that works best for Twixtor because that’s when things generally move
the slowest, more frames of the relevant action for Twixtor to work with.
4. When you shoot really close/tight, slow the action down manually ie – move slower and fake slow motion [all
the tight sequences in 'Gravity' was done this way and then slowed down a little more with the tools]. Its easier to
get good results with Twixtor when the action is shot from a distance, because of the fact that the action will
happen across more frames – ie – Imagine moving your arms up and down – a distance 50 centimeters right in
front of the camera – the camera will only catch SOME of that action as your arms pass by the front of the lens,
for maybe 1-3 frames. However if you move away from the camera and shoot say 10-15 meters away from the
lens, you would catch the ENTIRE action across say 7-10 frames – giving Twixtor more information to work with
5. Shoot at 50 or 60fps. When you shoot high-speed you give Twixtor more info to work with – it is a shame that
you have to forgo resolution
6. Shoot as much as you can – try to get the action from different angles – reshoot stuff if wasn’t working, or if
your settings weren’t correct. SHOOT MUCH!
Post Workflow:
1. Use Twixtor in After Effects – for some reason Twixtor works best in After Effects – for me at least. Probably
because After Effects’ ability to manipulate time is so effective.
So here’s what I do in a typical scenario.
- Edit the entire piece in an NLE [Non-linear Editor - like Final Cut] and then I’d
leave sections in the timeline open, or maybe reference clips that I want to
work with eventually in After Effects using Twixtor – you can’t do too much in
FCP at this stage because we’re going to be playing with time-changes – which
can screw up things if you don’t work carefully]
- Move the whole piece over to After Effects via an XML script called Popcorn
Island FCPtoAE. You need to export an XML from FCP by going to File >
Export > XML [ for FORMAT click Apple XML Interchange Format, Version 5]
- Open AE and go to scripts – look for FCPtoAE and then pull up the exported
XML
- Now click on the clip you want to use Twixtor on: from the MENU go to LAYER
> TIME > ENABLE TIME REMAPPING. This allows you to extend a clip our for
longer – because when you start slowing stuff down, the clip needs to become
longer, which you can now easily do by enabling time remapping – just pull out
the edges using the drag function on the clip
2. Check that your Twixtor settings match your footage ie – Make sure your frame rate is correct when you set up
Twixtor’s settings. If its not correct then Twixtor will stutter across your footage
- I typically shoot and edit in 23.976fps because I like the film aesthetic.
- I generally find that manipulating the image to a slower speed – say anything
between 2-5% yields better results than trying to get something workable at
30%. I don’t know why that is, but I reckon it has something to do with the fact
that with many more frames created it uses those created frames to reference
about 4 hours ago from Tweetbot for Mac
about 4 hours ago from Vimeo
about 4 hours ago from Vimeo
about 4 hours ago from Vimeo
"Tornado"
15. "How to start a revolution"
wins Best Documentary at
Raindance and Boston Film
Festival!
16. Which lenses for your GH1/
GH2/ AF100/ AF101 etc...?
17. Canon C300 review and
short film "Le Mont, La Pluie
et La Nuit"
18. To buy a Scarlet or not to
buy, that is the question...
Twitter FeedTwitter Feed
Cracking little piece made at my
vancouver 2 day workshop!
https://t.co/QXf49wc3yw
I just liked "Team Operation-Vancouver
Philip Bloom Workshop" on Vimeo:
http://t.co/iLu4j1Obao
I just added "Just Another Brick" to
Canada Philip Bloom 2013 Workshop
Tour: http://t.co/gNpwIyXOEZ
I just added "10 Minute Challenge
(Inspired by Philip Bloom)" to Canada
Philip Bloom 20...
http://t.co/BiGYaWneAO
http://t.co/BiGYaWneAO
Follow Follow @PhilipBloom@PhilipBloom 62K follow ers
Facebook Page: Latest News!Facebook Page: Latest News!
BlogrollBlogroll
B&H Photo Video
DSLR News Shooter Dan Chung
Kessler Crane
Park Cameras
The Lens Doctor
Tom Guilmette
Micro-blog
Ethics Statement
Rates, bio & kit
Other Stuff
Amazon Gear Store
CVP Store
B & H Photo Store
Booking Enquiries
Log in
Register
BLOG FILMS DSLR EDUCATION REVIEWS EVENTS FORUM
from in order to create more ‘interpolated/guessed’ frames.
3. Consider using an aspect matte to hide warping. I often use an aspect ratio of 2.4:1 in my work as a lot of my
warping happens at the edges of my shots, thus a matte will hide the really bad sections. One instance of this
was a shot in the short of mine called [Fo'tis'ma], where my good friend Franzwa is taking off from a ledge [Its the
tight - slightly angled down shot at 34s]. The warping on his hand was REALLY bad – especially because the
shot was rather tight and he was coming down at such a pace. It was because of that shot not working at 16:9
that I decided to make the whole piece 2.4:1 [IMAGE 1 & 2]
4. Avoid warping by editing well. Many times Twixtor works for only a few frames – if that’s the case I’ll only use it
for a few frames and will cut to the next image – to avoid things looking crappy [obviously this must be done
tastefully]. Don’t hang on too long on a shot that was good to start with but warped into mush at the end – EDIT
WELL.
I trust this helps some of you out.
For more info on other parts of the creative process [color, editing, sound design] check out my blog
www.salomonligthelm.blogspot.com
Be Sociable, Share!
Zacuto
TweetTweet 113 Like 236 20StumbleUpon
« Moire and Aliasing no more?! A solution for the« Moire and Aliasing no more?! A solution for the
5DmkII. Full review now up!5DmkII. Full review now up!
IBC 2011: Fun video coverage of the highlights of theIBC 2011: Fun video coverage of the highlights of the
show for CVP TV »show for CVP TV »
ShareShare 8
Leave a reply
You must be logged into post a comment.
Comments
ELLIOTT.G.MONTELLO 2 YEARS AGO
Thats a cool vid, My friend Danny and I attempted to twixtor fire and water for a challenge, as its
difficult to predict, I don’t think its been done in the same video before – so its worth a look:
http://www.vimeo.com/21919856 – I also posted up a tutorial here: http://vimeo.com/23151793
Log in to Reply
PAUL WOOD 2 YEARS AGO
Philip, thanks for posting this. I am currently in the process of learning twixtor, so this is great
information. nice one. And thanks to Salomon too or course.
Log in to Reply
CLINT 2 YEARS AGO
This is a great guest blog post, the video is great too.
I love when you post tutorial stuff up here it is awesome to see something done but even more
awesome to see how.
Thank yous all around.
Log in to Reply
CLINT 2 YEARS AGO
I would also love to hear about the color grading you did on this project and the other one those
are also very very nice.
Log in to Reply
PETTER MISJE 2 YEARS AGO
I’m gonna learn how to use Twixtor!
On a different note – I have some footage shot indoors in the wrong shutter speed. The result;
wavy lines moving across the picture.
Does anybody know if there is a fix for this???
Log in to Reply
PRESTON KANAK 2 YEARS AGO
Are they rolling bands? If so, here is one video tutorial on how to make it less
noticeable. http://vimeo.com/13717050
Log in to Reply
PETTER MISJE 2 YEARS AGO
Gonna check this out straight away – thank you so much!
Log in to Reply
TIMOTHY BATES 2 YEARS AGO
Looks great. With slo-mo in mind, not sure whether to buy the Canon XF105 or the Sony NX70.
The Canon can’t do slow-mo like the Sony and 200 fps looks pretty good even without Twixtor.
http://vimeo.com/26495111
Log in to Reply
TREVOR MACDONALD 2 YEARS AGO
I’ve had luck using the “Time Warp” feature in After Effects in place of Twixtor. I don’t have the
cash for Twixtor, and Time Warp is already part of AE. It delivers decent results, as well! Check it
out:
Log in to Reply
QUIM BEL 2 YEARS AGO
All of your post are helpful, but this one it’s really helpful to me! I’ve been playing around with
optical flow and Twixtor a lot with different results. I’ll try this tips for sure next time!
Log in to Reply
DOWIE 2 YEARS AGO
Salomon you are a guru. If anyone has Apple Motion, you can use Optical Flow to get the same
results as Twixtor. Check this super slow longboard sliding vid out..
http://www.vimeo.com/13359521 it’s all done with Optical Flow.
Log in to Reply
CONRAD 2 YEARS AGO
thank you both for that post, was very helpful. and salomon’s vids are great
Log in to Reply
DEREK HILLIER 2 YEARS AGO
I agree the new Motion or FCPX has the optical flow that shake had very cheap and easier way to
do it, at AE hates you making clips longer so you have to do a bit of a work around
Log in to Reply
ARON ANDERSON 2 YEARS AGO
I like you Philip never got the best results. I am so glad you posted this It helps out a lot. Thank
you.
Log in to Reply
MIKE 2 YEARS AGO
Hi, I used twixtor with FCP and I think it worked just fine, you really need solid background as it
was said before, fast shutter of course helps as well. Check this out: http://vimeo.com/21024158
Log in to Reply
AMILA C KUMARASINGHE 2 YEARS AGO
Log in to Reply
BERNARD 2 YEARS AGO
Amazing film and a great write up. I hope to be able to test twixtor myself one day… Just need to
get more lights…
Log in to Reply
ART BELL 2 YEARS AGO
This is so interesting. We go back and forth between Twixtor and Optical image flow in Motion a
lot and i have learned similar – and a few different things – coming from DSLR in my case.
Love the ‘highest point of action’ thought thats brilliant – as the slo mo just increases the tension
already here. Thanks.
1.Most importantly as Salomon infers ‘jello happens’. To minimize it – high contrast, simple
backgrounds and get close.
2. In our tests i have found no algorithmic difference between the two – jello in one – jello in the
other – its how you shot not the math that is doing you in.
3. for the 7D – any shutter over 800 seems to degrade the quality of the image. Don’t ask me why
but there just seems to be less info there. If its a good hi con, close shot – let the math do the
work – take it to 1% as above – it will hold.
4. We found the roundtripping in FCP and Motion to be easier ( less tech) so thats where we have
ended up.
We have our workflow here http://vimeo.com/22811341 if you want to see the Apple centric step
by step workflow.
Thanks, LOVE slo mo’s!
Log in to Reply
DRAZEN 2 YEARS AGO
love this video and I cant wait to apply some of this twixtor wisdom to one of my next projects
Log in to Reply
ROB KACZMARK 2 YEARS AGO
Wow, this is a great tutorial. Thx so much Phillip
Log in to Reply
PHILIP BLOOM 2 YEARS AGO
thanks Salomon. Not me!
Log in to Reply
KYM FIELKE 2 YEARS AGO
This incredible BASE jumping piece has gone viral in the past several days – good Twixtoring and
colour grading of GoPro-only footage: http://vimeo.com/29017795
Log in to Reply
MATT POPAY 2 YEARS AGO
Salomons work is incredible.
I’ve already played around with Twixtor ( http://www.vimeo.com/17811423 ) but can never get the
same results.
Will be following these tips to the letter!
Log in to Reply
LANCE 2 YEARS AGO
Can someone please explain to me why one needs to have Twixtor for super slo-mo as a plug in
to Adobe After Effects when said effect already exists in Adobe After Effects?
Macdonald’s video proves the point to me. After Effects alone is pretty good and I can see just as
many artifacts in AE as I do in Twixtor vids.
Also – if I MUST get Twixtor (and I’m not yet convinced) do I need to have AE or will it work as a
plug-in for CS5.5 alone?
Twixtor’s website is not very helpful for these questions.
Log in to Reply
BERNHARD B. 2 YEARS AGO
Philip,
I’m struggling to get decent lighting indoors when using such shutter speeds, may I ask what you
used?
I’m trying to capture some scenes shot at night time with no outloor light pouring in, so it’s all
some 500W lights filling the room. Even though I have to compensate by boosting the ISO a lot
the images are still too dark at say anything faster than 1/800
CONTACT MECONTACT ME
Strictly work enquiries:
help and advice:
COPYRIGHT NOTICECOPYRIGHT NOTICE
All work within this site: written, images
or video are copyright of Philip Bloom
unless noted otherwise and cannot be
reproduced without the express
permission of the owner.
Design / coding by OddWebThings
Linkdeck icons courtesy of
www.danieleckermann.com
Log in to Reply
PHILIP BLOOM 2 YEARS AGO
Am afraid for shutter speeds that high you need big strong lights. 1kw and upwards!
Log in to Reply
BERNHARD B. 2 YEARS AGO
Figured you’d say that, ah well, obvious I guess
Cheers!
Log in to Reply
PARIS 2 YEARS AGO
Philip,
“Shoot at a fast shutter: anything 1/2000 – 1/4000s”
how about GoPro?
I’ve been shooting a lot of videos by using 60D/550D/GoPro & im trying to use Twixtor..its work
but my video still have a “smart blur/melt blur”(i dont know how to called it,sorry)…Can you help
me how to clean the “smart blur/melt blur” after using Twixtor..
Thank you
Sorry for my english….
Log in to Reply
ALEXEY PRAPRIN 2 YEARS AGO
So, guys, if i use 5DmkII with native full HD + 24 fps, if i use good settings for shutter speed
(1/1000 – 1/4000) and ISO…can i reach good results using Twixtor or not? Because till this
moment i only had weird results with many many big blending ghosts…it looks like kinda
morphing)) but not a slowmo)
thanx
Log in to Reply