Pandemic Film: Landscape Masks

This shot is using Volumax Pro Landscape to set up depth maps in three successive layers. The yellow mask is closest to the camera. The orange layer is the mid ground and the red layer is the furthest away. Anything beyond the red layer is even further still.

The parallax effect is most noticeable when the camera trucks from side to side. I wanted to zoom in slightly on the two men in the hazmat suits so I zoomed in and trucked a bit at the same time. The landscape mode has an advantage over using AI which automatically generated a depth map in Photoshop. The Photoshop generated depth maps often have strange distortions. This technique of drawing the depth maps using a pen tool offers more control and this less distortions. I am learning as I go which technique works best for each shot.

Sometimes I will try doing a shot several different ways to see which technique works best. The pace is picking up as I am refining my use of the programs. The film has been accepted to be shown at this year’s Fringe on May 19th in the courtyard at the Orlando Shakes. I need to finish the film by May 11, so I have my work cut out for me.