modelling a VFX mask for a portrait video of my tragic hero on me.

Render

Reflection

in this project I experimented with creating a virtual effect mask form a video footage using Nuke. the mas was created according to the theme of a Tragic Hero.
A tragic hero suggest characters with heroic virtues with an unfortunate fate, usually in a play to reflect upon human nature. My idea for this tragic hero character is set in the 17th century during Witch trails. She was a doctor that was accused for witch craft and was sentenced to death through burning. In her character design, I experimented in using silhouette to exaggerate the outlines, later fill in the details with elements gathered form the mood board. As I didn’t want to create a grotesque character, bloody images was replaced with textures such as burning wood, lava rocks and flames. I experimented using silhouettes such as smoke and crosses to appeal to the religious social background at the time, creating a demonic character that rises through the ashes with spite. However in relation to the personality of the gentle, introverted character the final idea included elements of knights armors to suggest her loyal, quiet and strong character.
This idea was soon encountered with the limitations of Nuke Facebuilder. The tool only allows the texture to render according to the adjusted model of human face, which means that the texture cannot extend beyond the structure of the face model, sharp corners or my design that defaces the character cannot be fully rendered. Furthermore, my design was complicated as the armor has detailed sculptures on all sides and sharp edges. Luckily the shine of the armor still can render effectively, although the face model cannot show edges that are too sharp, it can still be stretched to a rough outline. Therefore I erased the extrusions on the armor texture and remolded the face to fit the armor. Later I used Roto painting to add shadow and highlights. I also used colour correction to make the fire more vivid and highlighting the shine.
this experience with Nuke was full of challenge. I was afraid of doing anything with a lack of knowledge of the software, and didn’t try to plan anything too crazy. Although the result was pleasing, next time I would like to experiment more with colour and face painting. Now reflecting back to the process, it seems that my approach was focused on the wrong field. It would have been more beneficial to focus on colours and anatomy/ make up instead of silhouette character design due to the primitive stage we are learning at this software. this could have been avoided by carefully reading and analyzing the project brief. Secondly, through later research, I fund that it is possible to import the face model into 3D software such as Maya to enhance; which means that I could build a armor according to design in Maya that can be imported and tracked.
Aside from the difficulties I faced, visually this project was quite successful. After alternating the face model and painted on top, the texture makes clear communication of the character trait. At the planning stage I was concerned that the makes might make the character appear evil or unpalatable, but the fact that the texturing was stuck to the face made the character less scary
this project has been quite challenging due to my lack of experience in 3D animation and Nuke software.