Creating Stereoscopic 3D Images

All images utilize the Red/Cyan Glasses


SJSU University of construction

 Halls

 My Coffee!

Recreating Cameras and Lights in Maya

Original Image

 My Image

 Second Angle

Lighting A Scene In Maya

1 point

2 point

 3 point

Building A Scene In Maya

This is just to show how the set looked:

Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction?

Science fiction films have filled the minds of their viewers and creators with the endless possibilities of space since the early days of filmmaking. Some may think that space is this mystical place where anything is possible and the laws of physics do not apply, but they do. Many film directors have fallen subject to making their films too based on Earth physics and ignore what, even if not as visually stunning, would occur in space. Science fiction films often times break the rules of physics in space to make the film more entertaining, while in a few major science fiction films the rules of physics are obeyed. Films have been successful with sticking to the rules and by breaking them. It’s the choices of when, how often, and how severe a film breaks the laws of physics that makes it work or leaves it feeling strange to the audience.

In science fiction films based in space there is usually a space ship or some mode of transportation for the main characters. In space, objects will be moving in a constant straight line unless disturbed by outside forces. This disturbance may be a gravitational pull from a planet or its moons. This disturbance may also come from when an energy beam or rocket hits the ship which would make its trajectory change. Many space battles take place with the opposing forces battling near a planet or some other point of reference so that the audience doesn’t get lost. This gravitational pull would vary from planet to planet, but in most films the planets feel more like a backdrop and not as much of a gravitational object that the characters spacecrafts are orbiting. In these space battles ships are constantly being hit by the opponents weaponry. In this case there would be shrapnel flying all over the place. The pieces would break off and fly off into space causing havoc to any and all space craft in the area. If this was dose correctly in a science fiction film it could make the battles even more intense. The movement of objects in space is often times kept relevant more towards earth bound physics than space physics in a vacuum. In the famous Star Wars dogfights you have the fighters banking on turns. In space there is no gravity so banking on turns to gather momentum is pointless. In this clip there are many turns and banking maneuvers done by the fighter pilots of the Battlestar Galactica that in actual space are not necessary.

It may feel more realistic for the audience because they are used to seeing vehicles adhering to gravity do this, but in space, depending on your ship, you could just quickly turn around and the propulsion system you are using should send you directly to where you want to go. These ships are using engines to move forward and air pressured systems to do quick maneuvers. I air pressure visually makes many of there turns look more believable. On the topic of movement in space, I have noticed that the majority of spacecrafts in science fiction films have a distinct front and back. In battles on a place like earth where there is a limited amount of angles your enemy can approach you, it would make since to have a front and back to your ship. In space, having a ship that is a spherical shape is the best way to go. There is no wind resistance to worry about and your enemy can come at you from any number of angles. The Death Star in Star Wars is the best example of such a design. Shown below is a comparison of the Death Star design next to the design of the Battlestar Galactica. Both are for battle, but the Death Star can attack or defend from any surface area wide the Battlestar Galactica must defend from its sides like a classic pirate ship.

I agree with the majority of filmmakers where they make the movement in space based on earth physics and vehicles. This helps keep the audience in the film and doesn’t throw off the natural subconscious movement that a viewer would think a vehicle should move in.

Films held in space also tend to have sound. There is no sound in space, but then would an action packed space film keep the attention of the audience if there weren’t even the faint whimper of an engine zipping by when engaging an enemy ship? Sound travels through vibrations whether it is through a solid, liquid, or gas. In the vacuum of space sound cannot travel. So in space no one can hear you scream or talk. The unique sounds used in space scenes give a great feel to science fiction films. Many series such as Star Wars and Battle Star Galactica are known for their unique sound design. Below is a great example of the sound of space ships in Star Wars, the later clips are within a planets atmosphere and are not to be considered.

Science fiction films also have the light of an explosion and the sound happen at the same time. These two things happen at two very different speeds. Light travels much faster. You would see an explosion and then you would here the sound. The film 2001: A Space Odyssey had no sound in space and this made the film feel authentic. When people watch this film it doesn’t seem out dated because the realism makes the viewer feel like this is what is it actually like while other films sound effects with the imagery may come to look outdated. Films that have, and have not used sound effects in space have been both critically acclaimed and ridiculed so it comes down to the viewer and the film it is being done in to see whether or not the sound is aiding in the films story and or entertainment value.

With entertainment in mind, the majority of action movies done in space have explosions. Star Wars, Enemy Mine, Armageddon among dozens of others all have fires and or explosions in space. There is no oxygen in space, so there is no oxidation, therefore making no combustion. But how boring would it be if a huge space battle was being waged and all you saw where holes opening up from the weaponry of opposing spacecrafts? In a franchise like Star Wars there are tons of explosions. In the introduction scene to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the film breaks every physics rule discussed in this paper, and then some.

Fiery explosions in space are what have made many of the top space based films memorable. The Death Star exploding or having a dogfight in space that ends in one of the swift ships blowing up is what a lot of people want to see. In a fast paced action film the audience has become accustomed to explosions and they feel natural to see occurring in space although it is not actually possible. Films are in the business of entertainment, and if people are not being entertained than the film will most likely not do well.

Films like Star Wars and Enemy Mine broke many rules of physics in space while movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Apollo 13 adhered to the majority of the rules of physics in space. The films success didn’t depend as largely on whether the laws of physics where followed or how well their special effects where. The story will always make or brake the success of a film and these choices by the filmmaker are just tools to aid in the story telling. The majority of people watching these films know that explosions do not occur in space and that sound doesn’t carry, but that is what the movies are for. Movies are a way to have your imagination go wild and they do not always have to be grounded in actuality to be enjoyable and memorable.

Outline for Research Paper

Introduction

- Science fiction films often times break the rules of physics in space. In a few science fiction films the rules of physics are obeyed. Films have been successful with sticking to the rules and by breaking them. what is right and what is wrong as far as physics goes?

Three films discussed

- Star Wars (episode 3 Intro)

- Apollo 13

- Enemy Mine

Paragraph 1

- Objects moving through Space, reality

- Battle scene from Star Wars (episode 3 intro) not realistic

- Apollo 13 movement in space, realistic

Paragraph 2

- Sound in space, reality

- Space ships (Enemy Mine and Star Wars), not realistic

- Apollo 13, realistic

Paragraph 3

- Explosions in Space, reality

- Star Wars, not realistic

Conclusion

- Why do films break the rules?

Character Animation

I wanted to create a fun and fast paced stop motion animation. I chose the wooden mannequin figure because it has a relatively good range of motion. The figures hands and feet hand magnets built in, so it helped in the run cycle. I wanted to create a little story so I brought in my John McCain action figure and a robot. Several of the frames hand to have my hand in them so I took a picture of the original back ground and then in photoshop painted my hand out. On the run cycle I put a piece of tape under the character to track the center of gravity. There are some process images below.

thank you