@vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX I still don’t entirely understand how pin blocking works. @CcampFx

@vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX @CcampFx Thanks. Okay, so it was essentially a way of moving an element in 2D on top of a plate. Would the matte have to processed first to cut a hole in the bg plate? And also, how was the camera tilt for this shot extrapolated for the motion control move? Guess/trial and error?

@MrChrisAnt @vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX The tracking and match moving were all accomplished on a motion controlled animation stand, such as an Oxberry. Using a rotoscope lamp house, you'd project the plate onto a piece of animation paper on the table surface . . . (more)

@MrChrisAnt @vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX A reference mark was made on the paper where the center of the table (center of rotation) was aligned with the center of the lens and zoom travel (dolly). All movement was in X, Y, and Z. After tracking your chosen point on the projected plate . . . (more)

@MrChrisAnt @vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX you would replace the glass of the lightbox in the table of the animation stand with a custom built motorized internally lit film movement. The center of that movement's frame also aligned with the center of the table (rotation) and the dolly of the lens . . . (more)

@MrChrisAnt @vfxblog @PhilTippett @ILMVFX The element to be rephotographed was then put in the pin block movement and rephotographed while the match move was played back, just as if you were shooting a motion control model or miniature.