VFX #2

This second effect was a lot easier as there was less movement and morphing taking place. It was a far simpler track and allowed me to experiment a little more with ideas. There was the same principle in place here that the mark was drawn in solid black and we needed to make it fade on when touched. I used the same principle I had experimented with last time and used a curves adjustment to hide the mark then I could control how visible it was.

The interesting part here though was with the addition of veins. In the storyline the female character already has the affliction the film is entered around. This presents itself by way of a mark on the wrist. She then gives the affliction unwittingly to the protagonist. And so when she touches him and sees the wrist a more elaborate effect takes place than when he touches the mark. To make this seem grounded and fitting Jamie came up with animating veins from the mark out into his arm and so that is what I did.

It was fairly simple as the track was straight forward but impressive nonetheless I feel.

This is the mark faded from curves:

And with the veins in full effect:

This effect works well as it is subtly out of focus helping to mould it into the world around it. A simple gaussian blue to imperfect what is being done really helps to blend the effect with what has come before it. The shot itself is also in slow-motion and so having the effect play out at a slow pace also helps to incorporate it into the scene. 

It is also slightly less noticeable and intense than the first effect I mentioned but that goes along with the story as when the mark is noticed in this scene it is meant to be more of a secret and confusing moment whereas later on it is meant to be a revelation and more clear to the audience. This really differentiates the effects and makes them work well together.