Doppelganger Edit

Using the layer mode 'Subtract' with a lowered opacity on the mask.

Using the layer mode 'Add' with a lowered opacity on the mask.

The 'Add' layer mode has more of a ghostly aura about it than the 'Subtract' model, I do like it but it needs cleaning up and the lighting in general does not help convey the mood. This has got me thinking about how I am going to light my scene, I want to make the lighting dark with sharp shadows, edge lighting.

In the image above I was experimenting with the 'Strobe Light' effect and realised I didn't really need to use it if I wanted a flickering type effect. I could just use the 'opacity' tool and keyframe it to create the action I wanted. So I will be keeping in mind the use of the strobe light effect but try to keep it simple and effective with simpler alternatives.
I even made the mistake of duplicating the ghost layer in my clip when adding the strobe light effect which caused it not too work properly, I duplicated it because I thought I could get rid of the opaque white layer that appeared over my mask, so when played the effect was not clear enough to see.






Doppelganger Experiment 1 from Munirat Plummer on Vimeo.
The first video is just experimenting mainly with where the ghost is positioned. This time when I shot my scenes I did not shoot a plain plate, I instead made sure I did not move any objects in the scene and had my subject enter from different directions.


The second video is similar to the first except that it shows how using the opaque tool helped to create the flicker effect I wanted.


Doppelganger Experiment 2 from Munirat Plummer on Vimeo.

What I learned from these experiments were:

• lighting is not good and therefore does not help to convey the mood, this is going to be my next step, the colours are flat with no distintive shadows therefore it is not conveying suspense
• think more carefully about I shoot the scenes and have more backup shots in case the first choice does not fit when it comes to editing
• now need to work on sound because that will help emphasise the effects in the video such as the flickering and other diagetic sounds
• thinking more about the position of the subject and its ghostly double will help to make the mood more scary and also maybe I do not need to show much of the ghostly figure, like small body parts that emphasise its presence should help alot.