Contemporary Techniques for Digital Compositing in Motion Pictures

In this paper, I will discuss my experiences as Digital Composite Supervisor for Digital Domain on the motion picture, Apollo 13. During the production of Apollo 13, it was my responsibility to maintain the look of the principal photography, practical effects elements, and computer generated (CG) elements throughout the digital process. Much of our work involved studying all available NASA footage. Everything was re-created from scratch. Not a single frame of NASA motion picture footage was used in our composites. We analyzed various phenomena that occurred in the NASA films, and made our work match it as closely as possible. Motion controlled model photography of the spacecraft was integrated with live action photography, digital paintings, and practical effects. Computer generated elements such as ice, condensation gas, vapor, engine blast, explosions and debris were synthetically created to complete the illusion. Camera shake was added to the shots using a special program that maintained natural motion blur between frames. The resulting composites had the look and feel of the NASA documentary films that we all remember. Yet, the superior image quality, unique camera angles, and continuity of lighting gave our footage the added drama necessary to re-create some of the most exciting and harrowing moments of the flight of Apollo 13.

Published

1996-10

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/M00135

ISBN

978-1-61482-925-6