First 3D Music Video

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Delivers 3D Effects for Ching-A-Ling

 

Elicit Effects, the VFX arm of West Post Digital, was the sole provider of visual effects for the stereoscopic 3D music video “Ching-A-Ling;” the most recent collaboration between Missy Elliott and director Dave Meyers and the first single from the upcoming Step Up 2 the Streets from Touchstone Pictures.

 

The 3D project provided an exacting challenge and first foray into stereoscopic imagery for creative director and senior Flame Artist Les Umberger and the team at Elicit. As the first ever 3D Music Video, “Ching-A-Ling” was also the first music video to employ the HD stereoscopic camera developed by director James Cameron for Pace Technologies. “Because stereoscopic shoots two simultaneous video streams, each VFX shot has to be doubled and each has to be executed with extraordinary precision,” says Umberger. “The slightest variance will create a glaring anomaly on the screen so it was an intense learning experience but also very fun.”

 

Umberger was tapped early in the production process to ensure a smooth flow from shoot to finish. Working with director Dave Meyers and production company @Radical.Media, Umberger supervised a two-day shoot before heading into the effects suite to create CG set-ups (environments) to house the practical elements for the 3D effects. A series of graphic backgrounds were needed beginning with close ups that required development of a three-dimensional particle system for left eye/right eye. Next came 3D matte painting to incorporate a practically shot green screen tree into a surreal scene with mountains, sky, clouds and 3D leaves swirling around Elliott on a tree swing.

 

Other shots include Elliott and her dancers in a 3D extrusion that pops the gold coin-suited dancers out of a gold coin background. There is also a dance platform comprised of metal blocks that send 3D letters spelling “Ching-A-Ling” flying and a CG façade for a house party complete with realistic exteriors and silhouetted dancers in windows.

 

“We were very fortunate to work with Elicit FX on our project, Missy Elliott "Ching A Ling" 3D,” says Derek Roberto, head of production, music video @Radical.Media. “It was a very challenging job given very demanding creative, technical and budgetary requirements. Elicit did a superb job in delivering all of this on a very tight schedule. We look forward to future collaborations with them.”

 

Elicit Effects www.elicitfx.com