How its done? Video effect done on American Idol

[Anonymous]

Hey guys!

 

So I noticed this cool video effect that was done on American Idol, where the singer was shot from 2 different angles and it turned out it be one whole shot. (@ Camera angles but overlapping to reveal the singer from 2 different angles) I was just wondering how they did it? I'm asking because I'm pretty sure it was done LIVE. As in during a Live Broadcast, using multiple cameras and a switcher. I figured its really easy to create that effect in post production, but since its a Live Broadcast, thats a totally different story

 

Here is the link to the Video: http://youtu.be/GEaz9NIdAUU?t=33s

 

This would help a lot! Thanks!

 

 

 

[rs170a]

If you know what you're doing, this is a very easy effect to do live. Video switchers used in the broadcast industry can handle something like this with the push of a few buttons. Here's an example of a very good one from a well-known company called Grasss Valley. Click on the Image Gallery button and be amazed at the complexity of what one person operates 🙂
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/kayenne

 

Mike

[Laguna Hiker]

It's handled by the board in the control room–goes way beyond the capabilities of most switchers. It's basically just an overlay; you have to shoot the talent on a black background. Camera 1 does the MCU on the talent, Camera 2 does the long shot. The Technical Director composites the two shots on the board, reducing the size of #2 to put it in the corner. Most boards will let the TD create a garbage matte around the #2 shot to isolate the portion that will be used for the overlay.

 

The shot is usually worked out in advance bbetween the director and the TD, and a lot of boards let the TD precompose the overlay and save it, so it can be punched up with the press of a button. During the show, the director cues the overlay, the camera people compose their shots (while #3 is live), and the TD punches up the overlay. The director calls a take on the overlay, and the TD sends it out live.

[rs170a]

Laguna, most switchers these days can do this effect easily, no garbage matte needed.

At the community college I work for, we have a very old Ross switcher (another good manufacturer) that can do this and it was built in 1979.

I can't get the video to play for me right now but, as I recall, it was a two camera shot of her dissolving into a third one, holding it and then losing the two camera shot. On my switcher (a 3 buss model), I would have camera 1 on buss 1 (Program buss), camera 2 on buss 2 and 3 on 3 (the FX buss). Camera 1 would be live with 2 and 3 setup for the effect. I dissolve from 1 to 2, fade in 3 1/2 way and hold it for a short time and then fade from the FX buss (2 and 3) to the program buss (camera 1). Switchers these days are capable of doing a LOT more than I just described.

 

Mike

[jaden]

how to use such swichers for these effects, can these switchers produce multiple effects?

[rs170a]

As long as you know how to use them, broadcast switchers can easily do these kinds of effects. For example, if you ever watch a pro sporting event, everything you see is coming from a pro video switcher. Some sequences are pre-packaged in other programs such as After Effects and titles are generally done using a tool called called a Chyron but it's all fed into the switcher and the operator controls what you see at home.

The following video might help explain things a bit better. The Technical Director position (the person who runs the video switcher) is briefly explained starting at the 4 min. mark.

http://www.wimp.com/controlroom/

 

Mike

[jaden]

Thanks for explanation, i will try to use them for produce multiple effects.

[Author]

Posts