SICA  RED V RAPTOR X :LAUNCH AND DEMO : Manoj Paramahamsa

SICA  RED V RAPTOR X :LAUNCH AND DEMO : Manoj Paramahamsa

The launch demo event for the Red Cinema Camera V Raptor X 8k, which took place at the Prasad 70mm theatre on March 10, 2024, was a remarkable success. A large crowd gathered, comprised of SICA members and students from various institutions who were participating through the Cam Benefit Trust program.

This event was organized by Cam Benefit trust SICA in collaboration with Tinnu Internationals.

At the commencement of the event, SICA General Secretary Ilavarasu welcomed attendees and emphasized the significant motivation brought by PC Sreeram’s presence throughout the event.

President A. Karthikraaja proceeded to call upon representatives from Tinnu International, including Deepak Bhandari, Amit Bhandari, and Sonu Bhachhawat, to be honored by SICA. Ace cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa was also honored and received acclaim from the legendary PC Sreeram.

Director Manthira Murthy, cinematographer Mathesh and Actor, short filmmaker Ashwin kakumanu was also honored.

Concluding the introductory segment, Treasurer Sakthi Saravanan extended an invitation to Mr. Raj from Red to come forward and commence the session.

RED RAPTOR X  intro by Raj

Raj provided an in-depth exploration of the evolution of Red sensors, from the DSMC1 through the DSMC2 to the latest DSMC3. He then highlighted the introduction of global shutter technology with the KOMODO camera. Explaining the advantages, Raj emphasized that global shutter not only eliminates Rolling shutter artifacts,but also saves both time and money during VFX work. However, Raj placed particular emphasis on the new V-Raptor X. This camera boasts a worlds first large format global shutter with 8K resolution and 120 fps capability, along with an enhanced dynamic range, representing a significant technological achievement.

RED’s V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV represents a technological marvel, packing the power and flexibility of a large format camera with global shutter, 8K acquisition, all within a compact and feature-rich body. This innovative camera boasts a new suite of image processing techniques called Global Vision. Global Vision unlocks features like Extended Highlights, allowing the camera to capture an additional 3 stops of detail in highlights. Additionally, Phantom Track caters to virtual production environments employing Ghost Frame or Frame Remapping by capturing distinct R3D clips for each sub-frame slice.

Raj further elaborated on the camera’s impressive features, highlighting the 5-micron pixel pitch, the ability to achieve black shading in just 30 seconds, and the exceptional audio architecture. The V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV also boasts an electronic ND filter system offering adjustments in 1/3, 1/4, and full-stop increments, delivering a variable ND range of 2 to 7 stops.

Raj emphasized the importance of Phantom Tracking, particularly for VFX applications. This innovative feature essentially provides two backgrounds: one with the live asset and another captured with the green screen. Notably, Phantom Tracking achieves this by generating distinct R3D files for each sub-frame slice.

Raj further emphasized the benefits of the V-Raptor X’s autofocus features, highlighting its usefulness for one-person crews and documentary filmmakers. Additionally, the camera boasts impressive live streaming capabilities, supporting 8K live streaming via an IP network. RED’s camera-to-cloud functionality  and RED camera settings can be controlled through the RED Control app, available on both Android and Mac devices. It’s important to note that RED Control Pro, a paid Mac-only app, provides access and control for multi-camera setups.

Following the informative presentation, acclaimed cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa was invited to lead the second session.

The Future of Filmmaking: Manoj Paramahamsa on VFX, Unreal Engine, and Virtual Production

Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa offers a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of cinema, where VFX (visual effects) are no longer just an add-on but a fundamental storytelling tool. He emphasizes the importance of catering to today’s audiences, who demand visually immersive experiences.

Paramahamsa sheds light on his own journey into the exciting realm of Unreal Engine, a powerful real-time 3D creation tool traditionally used in the gaming industry.  He shares how he self-taught and mastered the software during the pandemic, highlighting the value of open-source software and its accessibility.

*Key takeaways from Paramahamsa’s insights:*

*Unreal Engine:* This software facilitates real-time rendering, allowing filmmakers to see the final product on set, eliminating the need for lengthy post-production work.

*3D and Virtual Production:*  Virtual production utilizes multiple hardware and software components to create a virtual environment where actors can perform and interact with computer-generated elements. This technique offers greater creative control and opens doors for innovative storytelling possibilities.

*Adapting to Change:*  Paramahamsa emphasizes the increasing demand for real-time rendering and virtual production techniques.  Even gaming devices with joysticks are being repurposed as trackers in this new filmmaking landscape.

Paramahamsa’s ingenuity shone through as he constructed a compact LED wall at his own residence. Utilizing Unreal Engine and a vanishing point tracker,

The five major take away  Manoj stressed was

Unreal Engine as background

Previsualization

Technical visualization

Green screen/Ar

Post Visualization

Photo grammetry

Previsualization : Manoj points out Unreal Engine acts as a powerful previsualization tool in filmmaking by offering several advantages:

Virtual Set Design and Scouting: Unreal Engine allows filmmakers to create digital replicas of sets, locations, and even entire environments before physical construction begins. This “virtual scouting” helps visualize scenes, plan camera movements, and identify potential logistical challenges.

Storyboarding and Shot Planning: Directors and cinematographers can use Unreal Engine to create interactive storyboards, complete with camera movements, lighting effects, and even basic animation. This facilitates pre-visualization of entire sequences, allowing for better shot planning and communication between departments.

Lighting Pre-Viz: Unreal Engine’s lighting engine allows for realistic simulations of lighting setups, including natural and artificial sources. This helps cinematographers experiment with different lighting styles and ensure the desired visual mood before filming commences.

Special Effects Pre-Viz: Simple special effects, like explosions or smoke, can be created within Unreal Engine, allowing for early visualization of complex sequences. This can aid in planning the integration of VFX with live-action footage.

Actor and Stunt Rehearsal: In some cases, virtual environments can be used for rehearsals with actors or stunt performers. This allows for safer and more efficient practice sessions, especially for scenes involving complex choreography or hazardous environments.

Cost Savings and Improved Efficiency: By using Unreal Engine for pre-visualization, filmmakers can identify potential problems early in the production process, leading to cost savings and a more efficient workflow.

Technical Visualization – Manoj explained how it serves purpose, and he used in film Beast for a car falling from the top and jet fighter sequence and elaborated into the uses as follows

Experiment with various sensor sizes, focal lengths, and real-world lens models (imported into Unreal Engine) to see how they impact your shot composition and depth of field.

Grip & Lighting Made Easy:

Pre-Rigging Without the Rig: Forget lugging around equipment. Import 3D models of lighting fixtures, stands, grip gear, and even dollies into your virtual environment. Plan your lighting setups, camera movements, and grip needs within the scene itself, identifying potential obstacles and ensuring your chosen equipment fits the planned shots.

Green Screen /  Ar

Virtual Elements Anchored in Reality: With camera tracking, virtual objects or characters can be anchored to specific points in the real world (represented by the green screen). As you move the camera, the virtual elements remain locked in their designated positions relative to the real-world environment, creating a convincing illusion of AR.

Benefits of Unreal Engine for Green Screen/AR with Camera Tracking:

Real-Time Feedback: See the virtual environment and AR elements interact with your actors in real-time during filming. This allows for immediate adjustments and ensures a smooth integration between the physical and virtual worlds.

Manoj also showcased clips of elephant walking / fast moving animals.

Post Visualization

The post-visualization process within Unreal Engine can help identify scenes that might require extensive VFX work. This allows for early planning and budgeting discussions with VFX studios, avoiding potential cost overruns during post-production.

More Photorealistic Results: The ability to control reflections, glares, and bokeh within Unreal Engine contributes significantly to achieving a more photorealistic final product. By simulating these real-world visual elements, the final film appears more grounded and believable

Manoj showcased how he added water reflection into the characters and anamorhic bokehs in Radhe Shyam.

Photo Grammetry

Manoj into Photogrammetry Explained:

Capturing from Multiple Angles: Photogrammetry involves taking a series of photographs of an object or scene from various viewpoints. The more comprehensive the coverage, the more accurate the resulting 3D model.

Software Processing Magic: Photogrammetry software like RealityCapture analyzes the overlapping information in these photographs to understand the object’s 3D geometry. It then generates a digital mesh that accurately represents the object’s shape and surface details.

Benefits of Photogrammetry:

Preserving Cultural Heritage: Photogrammetry is a valuable tool for preserving cultural heritage sites and artifacts. It allows for the creation of detailed 3D models that can be studied and shared even if the physical object is inaccessible.

Visual Effects (VFX) & Animation: Photogrammetry provides a fast and efficient way to create 3D models for use in VFX and animation projects. These models can be used for characters, environments, or props, adding realism and detail to the final product.

This feature will allow us to change the color of the set, texture,size and even add lights for creating a background

Manoj showcased his creation Egmore museum using photogrammetry using lidar scan method with permission  from Government and added lights to it to pay tribute to PC Sreeram Thiruda Thiruda.

After this Manoj spoke about advantages of RED V Raptor x extended highlights, how this camera tracking system having a gyro sensor benefited filming during Leo.

Manoj presented visuals of Leo hyena sequence and climax action sequence shooting with long chase created in unreal engine with shooting happened in one day.

Later Manoj Paramahamsa emphasized a crucial aspect: the remarkable longevity of RED camera R3D files. He highlighted this by referencing his experience shooting the film ‘Minmini’. The movie’s narrative spanned two stages in the characters’ lives, separated by eight years. Paramahamsa impressively used various RED camera models throughout filming, yet seamlessly achieved a unified visual aesthetic in the final product. This accomplishment exemplifies the enduring quality and compatibility of R3D files, ensuring that footage captured on RED cameras remains usable for extended periods.

During the event, directors RK Selvamani, RV Udhayakumar, and editor Ashok Mehta lauded SICA’s efforts, Manoj Paramahamsa’s technical achievements, and the demo itself.

SICA finally thanked Aputure lights, Prathiksha cameras, Srishti digilife cooke sp3 lens for supporting the events.

Members had hands on demo with the Red komodo x and red V raptor X and out side theatre with gas fire – extended highlights of raptor x was demonstrated with the details of fire and light on the face was intact.

Article by

CJ Rajkumar

Author / Cinematographer