Suggestions for iris-like effect? at DVinfo.net

Craig Irving · April 4th, 2007, 07:19 PM

I shot a short film recently and I made quite a few amateurish mistakes I'm trying my best to fix in post.

In one scene, there's something in the frame that I really want to try to hide. It runs from near the top-left of the frame down to the bottom left of the frame. The action I need to save is pretty much dead center...so I'm thinking about adding an iris-like effect where a circle of black would surround the image and rounding it off (silent-era film style).

What's the best way to do this in Premiere? Perhaps putting a black matte behind it and using opacity keyframes? Which video effect would you use?

I hope I'm being clear in what I'm trying to do because I'd love some advice from the experts here.

Andrew J Morin · April 5th, 2007, 02:46 PM

...I'm not. Here ends your disclaimer.

Sounds like you want an 8-point garbage matte (a 'keying' effect) in the simplest case. A step-up would be creating a mask with a paint program.

I'd say you're right about keyframing the opacity, and I'd have to think about how best to feather the edges of your mask(s). I've been very happy using the more advanced masks in aftereffects, if you have that at your disposal.

edited to add:
I just tried this in Premiere 2.0, ymmv. ;-p
Insert->New->ColorMatte (choose the color, etc)
add into the timeline, and apply these effects to the 'effects control' of the matte:
Effects->Keying->8ptGrbgeMatte, adjust the control pts to shape the boundary
(this will appear to cover your action, and leave the 'artifact' uncovered, then you invert it in the next step)
Effects->Channel->Invert, set it to invert the alpha channel only
Effects->Blur&Sharpen->RadialBlur, not gaussian because that effects the frame edge as well as the 'iris' shape.

Craig Irving · April 5th, 2007, 03:30 PM

Looks like I wasn't wrong about the experts here at all.

Thanks for those very useful tips/steps! I will try it as soon as I get home.

I really appreciate your help!

Andrew J Morin · April 5th, 2007, 03:36 PM

yw

here's a screen cap, just because I wanted to try an attachment...

Craig Irving · April 5th, 2007, 03:56 PM

Wow. Even better. Thanks :)

You've just done all my work for me... heh

April 4th, 2007, 07:19 PM	#1
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Suggestions for iris-like effect? I shot a short film recently and I made quite a few amateurish mistakes I'm trying my best to fix in post. In one scene, there's something in the frame that I really want to try to hide. It runs from near the top-left of the frame down to the bottom left of the frame. The action I need to save is pretty much dead center...so I'm thinking about adding an iris-like effect where a circle of black would surround the image and rounding it off (silent-era film style). What's the best way to do this in Premiere? Perhaps putting a black matte behind it and using opacity keyframes? Which video effect would you use? I hope I'm being clear in what I'm trying to do because I'd love some advice from the experts here.

April 5th, 2007, 02:46 PM	#2
Andrew J Morin Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 140	an expert... ...I'm not. Here ends your disclaimer. Sounds like you want an 8-point garbage matte (a 'keying' effect) in the simplest case. A step-up would be creating a mask with a paint program. I'd say you're right about keyframing the opacity, and I'd have to think about how best to feather the edges of your mask(s). I've been very happy using the more advanced masks in aftereffects, if you have that at your disposal. edited to add: I just tried this in Premiere 2.0, ymmv. ;-p Insert->New->ColorMatte (choose the color, etc) add into the timeline, and apply these effects to the 'effects control' of the matte: Effects->Keying->8ptGrbgeMatte, adjust the control pts to shape the boundary (this will appear to cover your action, and leave the 'artifact' uncovered, then you invert it in the next step) Effects->Channel->Invert, set it to invert the alpha channel only Effects->Blur&Sharpen->RadialBlur, not gaussian because that effects the frame edge as well as the 'iris' shape. Last edited by Andrew J Morin; April 5th, 2007 at 03:29 PM.

April 5th, 2007, 03:36 PM	#4
Andrew J Morin Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 140	np yw here's a screen cap, just because I wanted to try an attachment... Attached Thumbnails

April 5th, 2007, 03:30 PM	#3
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Looks like I wasn't wrong about the experts here at all. Thanks for those very useful tips/steps! I will try it as soon as I get home. I really appreciate your help!

April 5th, 2007, 03:56 PM	#5
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Wow. Even better. Thanks :) You've just done all my work for me... heh