Yep, it's time for some green screen tests. In case you haven't heard, this movie is a little on the ambitious side when it comes to special effects. We've got people jumping onto dragon's backs, dodging around dragon feet, falling off dragons, being carried off by dragons. And of course none of these dragons are real so that means we've got to do some serious tests before game day.
Matthew (Stoic) rigged the green screen between two poles outside the back patio (a feat in of itself) and we planted a table on one side with the dragon stand Mason made on top, draped in green screen.
The mighty dragon stand!
We strung an extension cord from the house and set up the fan so it would blow in the rider's faces. I needed to test if I my editing software would pick up Hiccup's and Astrid's hair as it moved in the wind.
The green screen kept pretty tight in the wind, but--as it likes to do--it popped off the pole mid shoot and Carter, our hero of the hour, sat on the patio and held it in place. Thank you Carter!
And there's me filming in my crocks.
Mounting the Dragon . . . and meditating.
Matthew manned the tilt, raising and lowering the pole as I gave commands. He had the hard job, listening to me shouting directions, keeping the stand smooth and steady, AND staying out of my shot. It's a lot to think about.
Riding Tandem
My favorite shots were the ones with Hiccup and Astrid on there. the wind was blowing and they were laughing, trying not to topple off. It's going to look amazing once we add the background and the dragon. .
I couldn't wait to get it into my editor. Here's just a little sneak peak. This isn't out CG Toothless. We'll pretend it's his stunt double.
Wow, I am so excited to get filming. It feels like we're getting so close.
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