How to Split Video/Pictures as seen on TV

[HoosierGuy]

I was watching a commercial for the nightly program Entertainment Tonight. I never watch that program but they did something during their
commercial that I would like to try and do. They showed people who were supposedly dating, on screen, in a still image, and then they split the image in two, ripping the image apart in the center. That was in show the couple has broken up and is not dating anymore.

Anyway, is there anyway I can do that in Sony Vegas Studio or another plug-in? I don't want to show the split image but I want to show the intact image together and then show it being split/torn down the center.

Thanks

[poisondeathray]

they showed people who were supposedly dating, on screen, in a still image, and then they split the image in two, ripping the image apart in the center. That was in show the couple has broken up and is not dating anymore.

I don't want to show the split image but I want to show the intact image together and then show it being split/torn down the center.

it depends how fancy you want it

probably the simplest way to do it, is an animated mask reveal

use 2 photos , (1 with the rip, 1 without) place them on separate tracks, animate the mask over the rip, revealing the rip as it goes along

[budwzr]

Describe it more better, Hoose.

[HoosierGuy]

Well, it's like having a photo with two people in it - say a boyfriend and girlfriend. And you take that photo and tear it down the center and show it being torn (the ripping part). I was wondering if I could do that somehow in Vegas Studio.

[budwzr]

Yes, you can do it easily, PDR gave you an example. The tear reveals while the mask slides out of the way. You have to start using a graphics editor like PhoShop or something similar to create the edge, that's how the pros would do it.

There's no NLE in the world that you can just click and paste something like that.

Do you need a visual example? I can cook that up real quick, unless PDR beats me to it, in that case I'll have to improve mine over his, so I'd rather he get his out here, but since I mentioned it, he'll probably sandbag me.

[budwzr]

Here's a VERY rough idea of what to do to the pictures:



Disclaimer: I was in a rush to go Xmas shopping.

[HoosierGuy]

Here's a VERY rough idea of what to do to the pictures:



Disclaimer: I was in a rush to go Xmas shopping.

Yep, that is exactly what I would like to do. Can I do it with Sony Vegas Studio or another program?

[budwzr]

Yes, you can do it in Vegas, but you need to make the torn edges in PhoSho first.

[HoosierGuy]

Yes, you can do it in Vegas, but you need to make the torn edges in PhoSho first.

I'm been thinking about getting Photoshop Elements soon.

[budwzr]

Or you can use ANY other graphics software. Myself, I use Microsoft Digital Image Pro 9 and CorelDraw X4. MDIP9 is discontinued, but what's so great about it is that you can work in Vector and raster at the same time.

Unfortunately, you're getting into video at a time when Motion Graphics and FX determines whether your work is old skool, or nu skool.

The cutting edge of MotionGraphics is in Las Vegas, on the strip. The signs are getting HUGE! and engage you immediately. And they know they only have a few seconds to convey a "feel" to you while you're stopped at a red light or passing by. And there's no dead space, no "Have a nice day", no "The time is...", nothing but nonstop pump, pump, pump.

This is what people want, a visual information flow that transcends language, culture, education level, socio-economics, etc. It works on the 8 to 80, crippled, and crazy (not the blind though).

In the next 10 years you're going to see flat panel displays EVERYWHERE. And all these displays are going to need compelling content. And if you can make original compelling content, you're IN.

So stopping now to learn more fundamentals is well worth it.

[budwzr]

I'll add one more thing.

DON'T get yourself bogged down doing simple projects that eat up your time and brain. When you add something to your repertoire, move on. Your brain will not forget it, it's in there forever.

The human brain can only operate on what's stored in it. If you feed your brain with different techniques and understandings, it will offer you better insights.

DO train your eyes to SEE, not just to LOOK. Don't "consume" what you see, "observe" it.

When you see some graphics element, ask your brain WHY? did they do it this way, WHAT? does it accomplish, HOW? can I accomplish this in MY art.

WHY? does Geico have an annoying lizard, WHY? does Aflac have a quacking duck? WHY? doesn't Allstate have an animal mascot. WHY? do some ads seem similar to others. WHY? do some ads make me laugh, while others are annoying.

And WHY? do some ads seem to have a universal appeal that spreads across all demographics? Aha! that's the holy grail. You've got to be able to hit that holy grail consistently when you make art. That's what Jackson Pollock did. His art stimulated every brain in a different way. That's what ALL modernist art seeks to do, including motion graphics.

[budwzr]

Whew, I drank too much coffee

Anyway, what you want to learn first in PhoSho is the concept of layers in a graphic. And how that corresponds directly to vertical tracks in Vegas.

Then you want to learn how to "extract" single elements from a "flattened" image. Everything you learn in PhoSho translates directly into video editing (Vegas).

The only difference between Vegas and PhoSho is Vegas operates on multiple sequential images over "time". In Vegas, the "layers" are the vertical tracks.

EXAMPLE: You have a graphic of a duck, and you want to animate it to flap it's wings and talk.

So in PhoSho, you cut out each wing and the bottom half of the beak. You save these cutouts as PNG files with transparent backgrounds.

In Vegas, each cutout goes on a separate vertical track in a straight line above and below each other, and for the same length of time.

Then you go to each track and crop, rotate, stretch, whatever using the keyframes to make the movements you want.

And then it gets REALLY complicated and creative to advance from there, but that's the same basic starting procedure that every pro knows and uses.

As you work in Vegas, you will start to look for different ways to more finely tune the duck. This will make you explore the toolset and look for a way to do it. THEN you will discover that the tool you need is right there waiting for you. This is the beauty of Vegas. And you will think "Aha!" THAT'S what this tool is useful for, how did they know I would need a tool like that? And you will know you're on the right learning path.

And then you will see that sometimes more than one tool is needed and you'll learn to use the FX chain. And it just keeps getting better and better. Vegas is unlimited, except for your imagination. Once Vegas gets fitted into your brain, like an old glove, you'll transcend into a whole new level of understanding.

No other piece of software morphs into your brain like Vegas, and gives you an exact fit for whatever your level and understanding is. It's so scalable, it's magical. And all the while, Vegas remains the humble servant, never taking charge, never forcing you into a corner, never guiding or pushing, never bothering you with chatter from dialog boxes or stupid warnings. You can change gears and never step on the clutch.

Give it a try! You'll be glad you did.

[TreeTops]

Well said Bud!

[HoosierGuy]

Thanks Professor budwzr! Nice words.