Team Member: Anas Raza, Chitra Chugh, Ellie Huang, Ricardo Quiza Suarez

Project Description:

This project is an exciting exploration of the intersection of robotics and film-making, where we aim to push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking techniques. Our goal is to use a robotic arm camera to assist in film shooting and recreate classical film themes using non-traditional theatrical objects. The use of vegetables as our primary material adds a unique artistic element to the project, allowing us to create an organic and textured landscape.

As enthusiasts of Game of Thrones, we were inspired by the iconic opening sequence to create our interpretation of the scene using a robotic arm and a landscape built with vegetables. Our project involves building the terrain and forest structure with broccoli and using carrots to build a statue that represents the Tree of Life. Through the circular path of the robotic arm camera, we capture the statue’s height and majesty, creating a sense of scale and continuity.

This project explores and highlights the potential of incorporating technology and unconventional materials in art projects. By using a robotic arm camera, we were able to move the camera in a smooth and uninterrupted motion, providing viewers with a bird’s-eye view of the scene and creating a unique visual experience. The project demonstrates how the creative use of technology can enhance traditional artistic practices, making it an innovative and exciting art project.

Our Process:

Our project followed a comprehensive process that started with ideation, where we brainstormed creative ideas for our unique interpretation of the Game of Thrones opening sequence using vegetables. We then moved onto creating low fidelity prototypes, using paper sketches to visualize and refine our ideas. The design and shooting phase followed, where we created our set using vegetables and the robotic arm camera to capture the shots. We also utilized digital tools to experiment with different layouts and textures to bring our vision to life. The post-production stage allowed us to refine the final product further, where we edited and added sound effects and music to our project. Finally, we reflected on the project, highlighting our successes and areas for improvement, and how we could further develop the intersection of robotics and film-making using unconventional materials.

Sketching the idea:

We began our creative process by exploring how vegetables could be shaped to resemble structures or graphics featured in the Game of Thrones opening sequence. Through doodling and using our imagination skills, we envisioned dried lemon or orange slices as gears, random falling vegetables as protagonists and other side characters, and radish or carrots as swords. Lemon grass represented open fields, while cauliflower or broccoli served as trees, and sliced tomatoes symbolized blood baths or assassination. To refine our ideas and give our vision clarity, we used digital tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This process allowed us to experiment with different layouts, colors, and textures, giving us a better understanding of how to accurately represent our interpretation of the original sequence using vegetables.

Design Decisions:

To ensure that each camera shot was mapped into distinctive robot movements, we first explored various types of shots we wanted to capture. These included bird’s eye views, close-up shots, extreme close-up shots, high and low-angle shots, and Dutch angles. By studying the effects of each shot, we were able to determine how the robot arm camera should move to achieve the desired shot.

We also focused on quick transitions and cuts to showcase the landscapes we created using vegetables. By cutting and composing these landscapes in unique ways, we were able to achieve unexpected visual effects that added to the overall aesthetic of the project. Additionally, we experimented with different lighting and angles to add an extra twist to the scenes.

To proceed with our exploration, we focused on using vegetables as props and studying the opening sequence to get the shots we wanted to recreate. By carefully studying the original sequence, we were able to identify the camera movements and angles needed to achieve the desired shots using the robotic arm camera.

Shooting Day – Behind the Scene:

During the shooting day, we experimented with several techniques to bring our vision to life. We started with an overview of the set, moving from replicating a scene in a game to a recognizable scene from a movie or series. We chose the iconic Game of Thrones intro as our inspiration, and we worked on replicating the shot in a unique and creative way.

We used several camera movements that would simulate those found in the series, with the camera traversing through vegetables that imitated buildings in the show. We experimented with zooming out to get a top view of the intro shot before performing a close-up view of a central structure made of a tomato. From there, we moved onto the main camera action movements.

We also captured a side view of the main set, showcasing the intricate details of the vegetable buildings we created. Throughout the shooting day, we used the robotic arm camera to capture shots from unique angles and movements, creating a visually stunning and engaging final product.

.                                              .    

Post-production:

In post-production, our goal was to enhance the camera shots, create smoother transitions, and improve the storytelling aspect of our project. To achieve this, we utilized various techniques and tools.

One of the primary goals of post-production was to create smoother transitions between shots. We accomplished this by adding fade-in and fade-out effects to shots and using cross-dissolves between scenes. This helped to create a seamless flow between different shots and added to the overall professional quality of the project.

Another aspect of post-production was to enhance the camera shots. We utilized different techniques like zooming in or out and adding slow-motion effects to highlight specific moments and create a more dynamic visual experience. Additionally, we experimented with different camera angles to create a unique and visually interesting final product.

Reflection – Limitation and Future Development: