Mechanism Digital has just completed heavy visual effects on a music video for U Suck, a song by hot new recording artist, Just Kait. Just Kait – so named because she plays all the instruments on the record – is poised to be the latest teen-rock sensation. She got her first big break when MTV decided to use her version of the theme song for the show, Parental Control. In fact, when the producers met her and saw her play, they made the decision to film her performance and include it in the show’s opening credits.
The creative concept of the U Suck video focused on showcasing Just Kait’s many different musical and performing talents. So with a bit of digital trickery provided by Mechanism, Kait rocks out on every instrument at once for U Suck, simultaneously singing and playing guitars, bass, and drums!
Producer/Directors Sebastian Basco and Genzo of 2N2 Productions called on Lucien Harriot, VFX Supervisor and owner of Mechanism Digital, for double duty. Because Lucien would be heading up the visual effects at Mechanism Digital, he was the ideal candidate to serve as VFX Supervisor on set. He and 2N2 worked closely with DP Hermes Marco in pre-production and throughout production, shooting in 4K with the Red One camera, to insure that everything would fall into place for the digital magic in post-production. On set, Lucien oversaw the use of green screen, lighting and other elements that would affect the process in post. He also noted, “Thoroughly photographing the set and location is critical to digitally rebuilding parts of the scene behind the duplicated Kaits.” Lucien knew exactly what would be needed in post and, on location, resulting in a huge savings of time and money.
There is a tremendous benefit to hiring a Visual Effects Supervisor like Lucien, who is integrally involved with the post-production effects house. Not only does he understand all of the elements necessary to providing a seamless workflow from the set and into post production, (eliminating the need to download every little detail to another post supervisor), but he also possesses an intimate knowledge of how the post budget will be used and will flag any last minute decisions on set which might drive post costs up. “A good VFX Supervisor will work toward reducing costs in post without compromising the creative impact. My job is to also make sure that we capture exactly what is needed on the first go-around without the need to backtrack or “pick up” additional shots during another expensive day of shooting.” As an example on this shoot, a simple two-minute fix on set — moving a c-stand and adding a bit of green screen — saved many hours and possibly thousands of dollars in post.”
After the shoot, 2N2 and Marco edited the raw material using rough green keys in Final Cut. About half the video’s shots were handed over to Mechanism’s in-house effects team, which used Digital Fusion for tracking, seamless compositing and color matching of several layers.
Upon screening the finished edit MTV was so impressed they decided to include U Suck in the videogame, Rock Band which will be available by mid summer, while the video is expected to be in heavy rotation on MTV and other music starting mid May.
About Mechanism Digital:
Established in 1996, Mechanism Digital is an award winning digital production studio and a leading provider of visual effects for feature film, commercials and episodic television in New York City. The studio’s team of directors, artists and producers specialize in 3D animation, compositing, conceptual design, animated characters, digital environments and on-set VFX supervision. Mechanism’s creative vision, decades of experience and structured process guarantee highest quality visual effects, making the most of your budget and deadline. Simply put; we do all the stuff you can’t shoot.
Other notable credits include VFX for feature films Notorious and Soul Men, 3D graphics for History Channel’s Last Stand of the 300 and Engineering an Empire, design and production of spots for Prudential and Mudd Jeans.
Contact:
Deborah Roth
Mechanism Digital
514 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
(646) 230-0230
debbie@mechanismdigital.com
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