VFX
Michael Shorb
Video Portfolio
Journey through different types of video work I have done over the years including visual effects done with Adobe After Effects, editing done on Final Cut Pro X/Premiere Pro, and Motion Graphics done in After Effects. Easily navigate by using the buttons below.
VFX Samples
I love visual effects. Visual effects are the tool that allows the bounds of the real world to stretch and with my experience with Adobe After Effects there are no limits on what can be done. Check out different type of VFX I have the privilege to work on and see the step by step process on how these effects were made.
Following The Process
Climbing Through a Wall
In my latest short film Trip, I wanted to bend reality by having the main character see a picture start to move, and then climb inside of it into what can be described as a different reality. In order to do this we had to use a mix of practical and visual effects. Follow along to see how we did it! We started by building a wall and color matching it to the original filming location so that the actor would be able to physically climb through it.
1. Raw Footage
We started by building a wall and color matching it to the original filming location so that the actor would be able to physically climb through it. We then purchased a matching picture frame, mounted it to the fake wall, and filmed the actor climbing through it.
2. Green Screen
Using Adobe Keylight 1.2 and Key Cleaner, the green screen behind the picture frame was removed, allowing for a black, solid background to shine through. Fractal noise was later added and keyframed in order to make the background look more mystical.
3. Turbulent
Turbulent displace was then utilized in order to create an otherworldly portal that our character climbs through. This turbulent displace effect was then linked to the tracking of the picture frame during the next step.
4. Tacking
Once in Adobe After Effects, four tracking points were made. Using tracking dots that were placed during filming on the wall, and the corners of the picture frames, four null objects were made that tracked the camera movement. Four were used because no two points were visible throughout the whole clip.
5. Wall too Small
The physical wall made to match the rooms wall was too small and so you could see the garage this shot was filmed in. Using Adobe photoshop, the wall was duplicated and flipped on each side to match the existing wall. This new section of wall was then brought into After effects, linked to the tracking nulls, and noise was added to look natural.
6. Pictures
The original room this scene was filmed in had two hanging pictures on each side of the middle frame. These pictures were scanned, and the same fractal noise background was masked and keyframed to look like the other dimension was leaking into this world.
7. Added Pics
Both of these hanging pictures that were now digitally recreated were added and connected to the tracking nulls. This made them look like they were hanging on the wall.
8. Rotoscoping
The main actor was rotoscoped out using After effects to make the pictures go behind the actor. Then the effect was done!
Before VFX
After VFX
A Mirror Image
Trip is all about questioning what is real and what is fake, and one thing that was crucial to this was having one character see herself in a picture frame, and then after the camera cuts behind her, we see the main character reflected as what she's seeing. Follow along below on how this effect was carried out.
1. Raw Footage
At the filming location we taped down green pieces of cardboard paper on top of one of the picture frames that was hung up in order to make creating the effect easier in post.
2. Green Screen
Using Adobe Keylight 1.2 and Key Cleaner, the green screen behind the picture frame was removed. Behind the picture frame was transparent in order to allow for reflection videos to be added over the next few steps.
3. Tracking
Since the camera passes behind our actress, no tracking dot was able to be used throughout the whole shot. Two tracking nulls were created on each corner which correlate to each separate reflection. Each reflection uses a different tracking null which corresponds to before and after the camera passes behind our actress.
4. Reflections
From the point of view of the picture frame, two shots were taken. The mirror image of what our actress is doing, as well as our main actor standing there. These shots were then connected to our original tracking nulls as seen to the left.
5. See No Evil
The tracked reflection videos were added under the top picture frame video, allowing for the reflection effect to be in full force.
EDITING
Editing Samples
Video editing is where singular shots become a story. Editing allows for stories to come together and a point of view to be created. I have had the privilege of working in multiple editing platforms such as Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro. Scroll below to see some of my editing samples such as trailers for my short films, musical promos from my high school, TikTok Edits, and More.
TRAILERS
I love making short films, and with these short films, I make trailers for them. I truly believe in the beauty of music when creating a trailer and have opted to keep sound on for my portfolio website. This also means that to play the trailers, you will need to click the play button. Check out some of the trailers for my short films below as an example of how even in about a minute, you can draw an audience in.
TIKTOKS
Short form video is where I shine. I love the idea of only having 15 to 60 seconds in order to tell a story. Below you will find some examples of edits of short films I have made, some VFX I have done, and random edits I've made that fit into the short form format.
Two Years of Trip
To commemorate the two-year anniversary of the short film Trip, I took on a special project to celebrate this milestone. This teaser is not just a simple edit, but a heartfelt tribute to the creativity and hard work that went into making Trip such a unique story.
The teaser is set to the evocative track "Crush," a song that originally featured in the movie Babygirl. The choice of this song was deliberate, as its emotive lyrics and melody perfectly complement the themes and emotions portrayed in Trip. As the teaser unfolds, viewers revisit the memorable scenes that make up TRIP.
Transitions...
When you have Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro X at your disposal, there is no transition video too small.
In order to create this transition video, I utilized After Effects and Final Cut Pro X. I cut together multiple videos and used masks with multiple keyframes in order to make the transitions as seamless as possible.
TikTok Graphics
As a part of a competition that an account I follow on Twitter started, I made this video for their AI product.
I made this for myself in order to see what I can do when using motion graphics. Utilizing Adobe After Effects, I created cool shapes and patterns and utilized keyframes in order to make a smooth-moving camera.
Many Hands
In this VFX video project, I explored layering and rotoscoping to create a surreal visual experience. The concept was to depict multiple hands emerging from behind me, creating an illusion of a supernatural presence. By meticulously layering video frames and employing precise rotoscoping, I was able to seamlessly integrate these additional limbs into the scene, enhancing the overall dynamic and eerie effect.
Mirror Image
In this VFX video project, I utilized Adobe After Effects. The primary focus was to simulate the look of a handheld camera movement. Also, I incorporated masking techniques to manipulate a mirror reflection, making it move independently from the actual object. This project not only highlights my proficiency with Adobe After Effects but also demonstrates creative problem-solving and technical prowess in visual storytelling.
Clowning Around
If you couldn't tell from my short films, I am very attuned to the horror genre of films.
When I heard this audio on TikTok, I wanted to make a video that combines both digital and practical effects to make it look like there is a creepy clown in a dark room.
The makeup you see when the light flashes white is always there; the red light just hides it. Then, using Final Cut Pro X and masking, I added multiple different heads floating around during the light flashes.
MISCELLANEOUS
Throughout the years, I have had the honor of working on multiple different film projects that don't fit into the category of my TikToks or short film trailers. Check some out below!
The Making of The Eyes
In my latest short film Trip, I wanted to give the audience a sense of confusion over what is real and what is not, while also showing that the character herself was having an out-of-body viewing experience. In order to do this, I wanted to make her eyes morph into different colors.
1. Raw Footage
The first step of this effect is to film the raw footage. Thankfully all of the effect is done in post and no pre-planning in the filming stage was needed
2. Tracking
Once the footage was open in Adobe After Effects, Mocha AE was utilized in order to track the eyes. Each red circle represents the connected tracking null that was created.
3. Alpha Matte
Next, a shape layer was created, connected to the tracked null objects, and a mask was created that follows the curvature of her eyes. This layer will serve as the boundary for the effect.
4. Colorful Eyes
An adjustment layer was created where the effects tint, turbulent displace, and glow were utilized and keyframes in order to create the color-changing eye look. This adjustment layer was attached to the previous alpha matte so it only affected the eye.
5. Left and Done.
The same process listed above was then done on the left eye finishing off the effect as you see in the final film.
TSC Final Video
As part of my class Public Relations campaigns at UNC-CH, my group was tasked with making a public relations campaign for the Wyndham Championship. I had the honor of using Final Cut Pro X and After Effects to make this end-of-semester video for my group!
My Trailer
In Advertising Creative, my professor asked us to make any sort of advertising about ourselves that shows who we are. I chose to use After Effects and a lot of green screen footage to create this whimsical and comedic little short.
Ptolomea Video
During my digital storytelling class at UNC-CH, our professor gave us stock footage and tasked us with editing it to any song that we wanted. I chose Ptolomea by Ethel Cain in order to make a somewhat eerie video.
UNC Invite
I was the graphic designer for the UNC Smash Ultimate Esports club and one of the fun things I was able to do during it was make this cool promo video for one of our events.
MOTION
GRAPHICS
While I love editing short films, and I have done some really cool VFX, I have also had the opportunity to create multiple motion graphics over the years. Most of these videos utilize motion graphics in some way during their creation. Take a look below!
MOTION GRAPHICS
Mo-Town Throwdown Promo
Art Therapy Night Promo
Mo-Town Throwdown Intro
Bright Star Title Card
Carolina Cup Announcement
TRIP Title Card
