This tutorial was requested on another thread, hope you find it useful in a future project. =)
Freeze Frame Titling Tutorial
Our final result will look similar to:
http://www.fallofautumn.com/nate-title-test.mov
(don't try to stream, control-click and "Save Target As...")
I've seen variations of this effect used at the beginning of TV shows, to introduce all the characters, usually mid sentence. I’m not sure how it’s done in Hollywood, but here’s how I accomplished it:
First, in your video editing software (I use an older version of Sony Vegas) find the frame you’d like to pause on. Be sure your subject doesn’t have a goofy half-open mouth look in the frame (unless you’re out to make them look bad, of course). You should also not cut in the middle of a word or sentence, again, unless it’s for effect.
Take that freeze frame, and "split" your video and audio file at that point. Your editing software should allow you to export a still frame picture (.jpg, .gif, .png, etc) of the spot at which you split. Your exported picture will look like:
Then, open that still frame picture file in your photo editing software of choice. I use Macromedia’s Fireworks MX. Using the lasso tool, or scissors tool, remove the background around your subject. Be careful to not give them a haircut in the process, with frizzy hair it might be tempting to cut away some of the frizz, but it will leave your subject looking unnatural.
Export the image from your photo editing software as a 32-bit .png to ensure the background remains transparent. (TIP: If your video editing software does not support transparency, you can make a solid blue or green background around your subject, and then chroma-key it out.)
If you’re going to be making a title for the shot as well, make that while your photo editing software is loaded, and again, export as a 32-bit .png to ensure transparency.
Freeze Frame Titling Tutorial
Our final result will look similar to:
http://www.fallofautumn.com/nate-title-test.mov
(don't try to stream, control-click and "Save Target As...")
I've seen variations of this effect used at the beginning of TV shows, to introduce all the characters, usually mid sentence. I’m not sure how it’s done in Hollywood, but here’s how I accomplished it:
First, in your video editing software (I use an older version of Sony Vegas) find the frame you’d like to pause on. Be sure your subject doesn’t have a goofy half-open mouth look in the frame (unless you’re out to make them look bad, of course). You should also not cut in the middle of a word or sentence, again, unless it’s for effect.
Take that freeze frame, and "split" your video and audio file at that point. Your editing software should allow you to export a still frame picture (.jpg, .gif, .png, etc) of the spot at which you split. Your exported picture will look like:
Then, open that still frame picture file in your photo editing software of choice. I use Macromedia’s Fireworks MX. Using the lasso tool, or scissors tool, remove the background around your subject. Be careful to not give them a haircut in the process, with frizzy hair it might be tempting to cut away some of the frizz, but it will leave your subject looking unnatural.
Export the image from your photo editing software as a 32-bit .png to ensure the background remains transparent. (TIP: If your video editing software does not support transparency, you can make a solid blue or green background around your subject, and then chroma-key it out.)
If you’re going to be making a title for the shot as well, make that while your photo editing software is loaded, and again, export as a 32-bit .png to ensure transparency.
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