Rotoscope / Demoreel

[dave.ladner]

So I've been lurking the forums for a while and finally signed up a few days ago. I've had a few projects for fun, watched more tutorials than TV in my entire life, and have a degree in New Media (B.FA). So I'm not a complete idiot at least...

I had a recent project I was using the CS4 AE - Mocha plugin to try and rotoscope a complex object in a fairly long scene, using the Mocha Tracking, and then export that into AE as a Mask/Matte. Unfortunately, due to having only CS4 apparently (and the Mocha plugin, not full) what I was trying to accomplish was not possible.

So I figured since I was only learning fundamentals in AE (which I basically already knew, due to my Uni Degree), I would give Nuke a shot in terms of Rotoscoping. Ultimate goal here: Get a rotoscope artist job sometime in the next year.

I'm still getting familiar with Nuke and node-based compositing, but was wondering if it works more as a whole package, rather than a "plugin" for basic rotoscoping. For instance, instead of rotoscoping in Mocha and importing to AE... do I just rotoscope in Nuke, and save file? heh.

Sorry, lengthy thread but... my last question is a quick one about creating a Rotoscoping Demoreel. Is it okay to use feature film footage just to demonstrate rotoscoping ability? For instance, grab a scene from a movie, rotoscope, show alpha, Rinse-repeat x3, Tada Demoreel? (In short...)

I know obviously to avoid light sabers, spaceships, and all that cliche nonsense... but I've also read to avoid "stock footage". What consists of "stock footage"?

Thanks (especially if you read that entire thread. wow. sorry.)
-Dave

[Gravy]

As I mentioned in the other thread. Get Silhouette, it's what all roto'ing professionals use freelance and in house. It's worth knowing Nuke though as it's definitely a great tool for roto artists, even if mainly used for compositing. digital Projections been the main one you'll hear about.

Using footage would be fine to get you the first few jobs. Then you can obviously start replacing those shots with professional ones pretty quickly. When making a reel show your shape breakdowns and over grey too. But, don't make it too lengthy. On a long shot you could just wipe between them in the one shot for example.

I recommend signing up for fxphd to learn basics in Nuke. They're also doing an Silhouette roto course this term, so could be good.
http://www.fxphd.com/