r/Filmmakers • u/b4rain • 20h ago
Question Trouble with my reflection on shortfilm
Hi! I’m making my first short film and I have this elevator shot I want to use. The problem is that at the end of it, you can see my reflection. I have almost no experience in VFX, so what would you suggest as the easiest fix? Thanks for any ideas or help!
171
u/TheStupendusMan 19h ago
You could comp that out. Thankfully, it's a pretty simple texture, but you'll want help if you're not a VFX guy.
Otherwise, I'd simply cut before you see your reflection. The audience will understand the door closed. Might even help pacing.
230
u/TheCrudMan Creative Director 19h ago
Fairly easy to comp. Harder to do with 0 experience. But it’s a very easy comp.
38
u/HeDoesLookLikeABitch 19h ago
Can you just do a TLDR on how you would do it?
139
u/composaurus 19h ago
I'm a comper. I would take the last frame, paint out the reflection. Mask the door and use it to put the clean frame over the footage.
72
u/TheCrudMan Creative Director 19h ago
Yup. Take a still of closed door, paint out person and camera. Doesn't need to look amazing it's a base plate. Then maybe take a location photo with some horizontal blur to match, color correct and blend it on. Then mask to the door. Maybe do a bit of hand animation for the slight camera movement in the reflection.
Could also create a fuzzy metal texture with some fractal noise and animate that to follow the door so you get a more realistic effect.
Honestly, you could do a pretty good one in less than an hour.
24
u/mcarterphoto 17h ago
Or grab a stock photo of a metal texture that's close. Even if you don't have a stock account, image search and size "large" and you'll usually find something for free. The tweak to match.
Jeez, I love easy fixes like this compared to some of the client nightmares I've fixed!
3
u/shrlytmpl 16h ago
Probably be able to just generative fill it out in photoshop
3
u/TheCrudMan Creative Director 16h ago
Still needs two layers.
You could use gen fill as part of the paint step if desired.
3
u/HeDoesLookLikeABitch 19h ago
Would you keyframe the clean frame mask with the sliding of the door?
5
u/Vases_LA 19h ago
You can track the motion of the door using the motion tracker in AE then apply that to a null and link the masked layer to it
3
2
u/TheCrudMan Creative Director 17h ago
Tracking not really needed it's only a few frames
2
u/405freeway 17h ago
I don't know the exact terms y'all are using so I'm just going to hopefully paraphrase:
Photoshop the door fully closed with camera girl removed, add it as an overlay, then crop reveal it frame by frame as the door closes from the end of the cut?
3
u/composaurus 18h ago
If you look at the reflection in the door, it's barely moving (the door is, but the actual reflection in it isn't). So I wouldn't need to apply any animation to the clean frame itself.
The mask would be animated to match the sliding door. I would just use the mask to apply our clean frame and presto, new reflection.
2
u/SpaceEchoGecko 19h ago
But the door is moving. Would your method work as the door is moving across your painted mask?
7
u/composaurus 18h ago
Yep. If you look at the reflection itself in the door, the door is moving but the reflection is pretty static. So a still frame of the end would be fine.
2
u/TheCrudMan Creative Director 17h ago
The part of the door that moves is just a bit of texture which you could recreate.
3
u/BrentonHenry2020 18h ago
For their skill level, it might be easier to go back and capture it opening and closing with a slim tripod then paint out the smaller profile.
140
u/tekmanfortune 19h ago
Have the next scene transition in aligned with the doors edge so we never see the reflection or door even
25
8
•
12
u/InitechSecurity 16h ago
Quick edit in After Effects using the Mask that tracks the movement of the elevator door. The background layer is a clean plate with the cameraman removed in photoshop. I wish you all the very best with your film!
41
u/RehydratedFruit 19h ago
Thankfully that should be fairly easy especially if you have Photoshop. Just export the last frame and edit the image in photoshop using their AI tool to remove your reflection. Then, back in your timeline, keyframe your new image to match the door closing.
4
1
u/dijenen27Gdj 4h ago
There are several frames that have his reflection on it, but only a single image. What to do?
2
u/RehydratedFruit 3h ago
You animate (using keyframes to move the new image) to cover the whole lift door as it enters frame. You can use a still image for as many frames as you want, you just add ‘noise’ on top to make it look like it video frames.
1
u/dijenen27Gdj 2h ago
Noise basically masks out the edges that may look contrasty (unreal), no?
2
u/RehydratedFruit 2h ago
No, ‘digital noise’ emulates camera noise/film grain so there isn’t an obvious still image composited onto the footage. When you record footage, every frame has moving pixels that subtly dance around the screen, you see this more in low light and the footage gets ‘noisy’.
So when you put a still image onto top of footage, it can look obvious that it’s a still image and not part of the original footage, so you add digital noise/film grain on top of the whole clip to make it all blend.
To not have hard edges, you would just use ‘feathering’ so the edges of the image are soft and so it blends.
1
-13
u/rogerblowme 19h ago
Oh no! Now it would be AI slop! Blasphemy! Boooooo Hisssssss. We should teach him how to be invisible.
15
u/highwater 18h ago
When you noticed the reflection on set (you did, right? Right?), did you shoot any coverage just in case you weren’t able to use this shot? Like from inside the elevator or a different angle on the door? Paying attention on set saves massive amounts of time in post (or having to do a reshoot).
4
1
5
u/2old2care editor 19h ago
I'd copy the footage beginning with the door closing, place it above on the timeline, expand it horizontally so that you only see the right hand 1/3 where the camera reflection doesn't show, then keyframe the crop to match the position of the moving edge. Should be a pretty easy fix.
4
u/Potential_Cat466 16h ago
Simple (inelegant) solution could be...
Make sure the shot is steady via warp stabilizer. Import the last frame in photoshop. Use AI to get rid of your reflection. Put the frame back in and crop, matching the elevator door.
Good luck 🤞👍
2
u/VisibleEvidence 14h ago
This is pretty much the answer. You can do it nicer in After Effects, but it’s the same concept. FWIW I had to paint myself out of a car door in my film. Shit happens on no-budgets.
4
u/TheSpottedBuffy 14h ago
Left part of this frame
Copy and repeat using Rotoscope and mask along each frame, you don’t have many to replace
4
u/Robocup1 14h ago
This is a super easy fix with very little experience required.
Take the selected part, use it to paste/mask over your body as the door slides. Track it, so it doesn’t read like and error. Soften the edges so it blends nicely.
3
u/LV_camera 19h ago
Super easy mask. Just get an image of a stainless steel anything and animate it along with the edge of the door. Just google "Stainless Steel Texture" hit Images > tools > size > large. You'll find something.
1
u/InsidiousVendetta 8h ago
Highly recommend this option. I've got a similar but different approach: film the elevator closing from a telephoto OR from a slightly askew perspective (instead of straight on, film it at 45 degrees or so). Then mask the door closing in over the actual door closing. Should give you a near indistinguishable transition, basically, and one that will be mostly in camera rather than VFX.
3
3
u/FREDDIT321 18h ago
Instead of trying to remove yourself, try seeing if you find any nice door elements and have fake doors slide past the camera instead. Remember to track it so you keep the shake etc on them.
3
u/eatTheRich711 18h ago
People telling you to cut before the elevator closes or morons and don't understand editing if your decision is to keep it closing then that's the decision. That being said this is a pretty easy comp think somebody already said added how to do it. Paint your image out of the last frame and then track it back over the door as it moves. Learn a little VFX as it sounds like you're really into shots that maybe difficult like this.
3
u/Haylyn221 15h ago
Maybe try getting a longer lens and a tripod to zoom in on the door closing from across the room so you're not getting a reflection? I know there's editing programs to help, but I'm not as familiar (I know DaVinci is free, but the tricks I'm not familiar with)
3
3
3
u/polyKiss 11h ago
I thought the film was called “Trouble with my reflection” a short film.
And I found it brilliant.
7
u/MikeWritesMovies 20h ago
You can have the actor hold, cut, then back up and shoot the door closing, and in the edit, crop it to the right size. Adding distance will take the reflection out because the door is more reflective up close than far away.
The other option is to not shoot straight on. I know it might be a stylistic choice to do so, but adding an angle removes the reflection and could add some depth and tension to the shot.
13
7
u/b4rain 19h ago
Oh yeah! Could have worked. The problem is that the scene is already shot and there’s no going back to reshoot, so I need to fix it in post. Not optimal, but that’s the situation.
3
u/lrodhubbard 19h ago
Super straightforward way would be to just find a texture of an elevator door stack it on top of your footage, animate it in with keyframes and mask it as best as you can.
3
u/RadicalHomosapien 19h ago
Nah it'd be super easy from the look of the last frame to just paint himself out and animate in a crop to reveal the reflection as the door closes. Track it or add in a slight jitter so it doesn't look like a still and you're golden
2
2
u/TheSpottedBuffy 19h ago
You simply need to repeat the pattern shown on frame left when door closes
Some basic rotoscoping and you’re done
2
2
u/FilmsOnPhone 18h ago
Just use Magic Mask in Resolve (or Magnetic Mask in fcpx) and remove the Cameraman. It's quick and easy to do, like 4 mins work.
2
2
u/Live-simp247 16h ago
I would just switch angles so it was an internal shot, or an off angle shot :-)
2
u/LloydLadera 12h ago
This is a 30 minute fix for an experienced vfx artist. There are several ways you can fix this. My approach would be to take a screenshot of your final shot, and open it in photoshop (or any photo editing software). In the photo editing software choose an area of the elevator door without your reflection, select that area and copy past that on top of the bits you want to remove. Patch it on top and clean it up. Then export the new image back into your video editor and do a feather mask and match it with the movement of the doors.
2
u/sebastianrichey 11h ago
Only a few frames. It’d be annoying but probably wouldnt take too horribly long to photoshop each frame.
Looks like you’re being taken care of tho. What a trip the comment section lol
2
u/cantwejustplaynice 10h ago
Also as someone with zero VFX skills I would just blur the door with a mask until I can't make out there's a person in the reflection.
2
u/SkoolieJay 6h ago
Instead of suggesting something crazy, why not film a transition that goes with the closing of the doors. That way when it fades in/out you won't even be seen. Will take a bit in editing but I would much that do that to advance or provide continuity.
2
2
u/Additional_Ad_8131 4h ago
just use some basic GCI. The elevator door seems really simple texture, like a blurry silver texture with slight white wall reflection. Just mask the door and replace the door texture with self made texture. This seems really basic and simple edit. Pretty sure you'll get a perfect result by watching like 1 youtube tutorial...
3
u/BadAtExisting key grip 19h ago
Honestly I would cut it before your reflection gets in there. Unless there’s an absolute need to stay on the shot long enough for the door to close all the way
2
u/Cinemaphreak 13h ago
It's called a cut.
At the moment it becomes clear what the reflection is, go back a few frames and end the shot. Easiest fix possible.
The 2nd easiest would be to use the edge of the elevator door to begin a wipe to paraphrase someone else's suggestion. Would take a little more editing skill.
3
u/smeggysoup84 18h ago
I would cut before the door closes. Don't worry we know how elevators work lol
2
2
u/Major-Debt-9139 18h ago
Take a picture of the door from far (when you cant see your reflection). Do a 3D track and animate over it. It is quite easy to do with fusion or AE.
I can't more recommend to all filmakers to have post production skills, even basic one.
2
u/Major-Debt-9139 18h ago
You can also export a still on Photoshop and paint it out to anime over it. Maybe AI can paint it out easely.
2
u/Silent_Confidence_39 12h ago
I could fix that in 15 minutes
1
u/Individual99991 10h ago
Great. Explain how.
3
u/Silent_Confidence_39 10h ago
Last frame -> generative fill in photoshop . Track in a new layer in resolve or after effect. Second layer with blur.
If needed can lower the contrast on the door to make it look less obvious as a first step
3
3
u/Hahaguymandude 19h ago
SUPER easy fix. Here’s what you do. Right when the door is closing. Hit the switch you’ve added which activates the bungee cords you have wrapped around your body that have been set to launch you through the roof at escape velocity. There. You’re welcome
1
1
u/mcarterphoto 17h ago
After effects and a clean Photoshop plate would fix this in a minute. Heck, you could easily do it in most NLEs.
1
u/valeriuss 17h ago
I like this shot, great colors and good choice to do handheld. Feels like Michael Haneke.
1
u/DoctorSuperFly 17h ago
Lots of post production ideas here.
I suggest you reshoot with an angled panel of similar material over the door so the reflection is not of you, but rather the spare to your left or right.
1
u/DanielBlancou 16h ago
It makes me think that in Jacques Tati's film Playtime, the metal parts are photos of metallic reflections stuck into the sets.
1
u/Cayotebongwater 15h ago
You could shoot it practically with a prismatic lens, but it would probably be impractical to get a prismatic lens lol
1
u/Both-Information3308 15h ago
I like the look tho. Reminds me of the work of Lubezki, cold lighting, wide angle lenses, nice!
1
u/LiterallyJesus- 15h ago
while i don’t like the audio in this, this shot looks hauntingly beautiful to me
1
u/bumblebeetown 15h ago
Back up a little, film just the door closing, but with enough distance to blur the reflection.
In post, add a transition screen wipe that follows the speed of the door, allowing the second layer transition to overlap with the exact speed of the door, blowing up the frame to match perspective and size.
1
u/blondie1024 14h ago
Use Davinci resolve and create a template for the door, then mask it on top. You might be able to get away with cloning parts next to your reflection, or smearing the side sections so you disappear.
1
u/Faber_Jos 14h ago
You can make the door a lot more blurry so you won't be able to see the reflection. Or just use a still picture to track the door. Or you can go the creative route and use the door to wipe to the next shot, hopefully to a new scene.
1
1
u/soulmagic123 13h ago
Wait for the door to close. Export a still, open in photoshop highlight the reflection, in the ai window type "remove cool guy" . Wait . Save. Bring to premiere. Put on top, key frame position and change overlay to "difference" and frame by frame track the shot back on top.
1
u/IsaacIzik 11h ago
Sometimes you just gotta cut what you love. It may even help the film by cutting it.
1
u/AntiRacismDoctor 8h ago edited 7h ago
Easy fix. Get a sleek metallic layer that matches the elevator's, alter the color in photoshop to match; in after effects, give it a gaussian blur that matches the elevator, and then keyframe it with the elevator moving across the screen. Cake made easy in like 5 minutes if you know what you're doing.
Edit: Oh, and add motion blur that dials down as the door stops.
1
1
u/Natural-Blackberry98 6h ago
Not a solution but with the sound it seems that the scene should be a very tense moment. I think it would look cool if you followed the guy into the elevator with camera handheld (a little bit of shake) and then go in for a close up shot of the side of the face to show some emotions like stress or fear. IDK if the scene is going for that, but just my two cents.
1
1
u/MannyArea503 5h ago
I think I'd just "cover" the door with an animated dull metal slide image that is color matched to the color grade.
Slide it in and keep the shot short so hopefully no-one notices.
Make sure you motion blur the slide element so it looks like it was shot in 24 and isnt CGI or use a 24 fps comp with motion blur in After Effects.
Good news: there are multiple ways to fix this and most are fairly inexpensive and easy so dont be discouraged.
Please keep us updated and show us what you come with for a fix.
Happy film making.
1
u/zed_lucas_it 4h ago
For similar situations in the future: use a black background behind you that you can buy on Amazon for cheap, and wear all black clothes. You'll be almost invisible
1
u/Candid-Travel-7167 4h ago
That looks so fing good the reveal of the camera man almost looks like a joke
1
u/vnnh_broll 19h ago
I would take this final take of the closed door and with generative fill I would copy the sides to cover its reflection. Then I would make a track and add the editing without reflection to follow the door closing.
1
u/Sea_Investigator4969 18h ago
Atleased disguise your body behind something, cut a hole in something similar color to the thing reflecting and stand behind it, atleased you will just see the camera and not you. Usually in film they use dulling spray on everything shiny that might reflect the camera, but i doubt you want to pray that whole elevator.
1
u/RedSunCinema 16h ago
The cheapest and easiest way to solve it is by filming through a one way mirror.
1
-7
2.3k
u/topheee 19h ago edited 15h ago
Drop me a DM, happy to have a look at doing some VFX to fix this for free
Edit: Not sure what’s got up your arses but maybe consider helping out fellow creatives rather than being a dick to those who want to help. I’ve encountered a lot of people working in this field over the years and almost everybody wants to help each other out, so perhaps it’s just a Reddit problem. In the time you’ve been arguing about it, I’ve edited and sent the video to OP with the After Effects file so that they can see exactly what I did