Varsha's VFX-001 course work. Lv 1

VFX - Level 1

21 / 8 / 2025

Installation

To get started with DaVinci Resolve, I downloaded the installer from the official Blackmagic Design website. The installation process was pretty straightforward.

• Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
• Select your preferred installation path and components.
• After installation, launch the application and configure your settings (such as GPU, storage, and default project folders) in the initial setup screen.

Media Page

The Media Page in DaVinci Resolve is the hub for importing, organizing, and previewing all your video, audio, and image assets. Key features include:

• Media Storage Panel: Browse your drives and import files directly
• Bins & Organization: Create folders (bins) to arrange clips by project, scene, or type
• Drag-and-Drop: Quickly move assets to timelines on the Cut or Edit pages

This page streamlines the workflow, ensuring all your materials are accessible and well-organized before you begin editing.

The Cut Page

The Cut Page is an editing workspace with the purpose of assembling fast-paced videos with efficiency and clarity. Unlike complex and multi-layered timelines in traditional editors, the Cut Page is designed for rapid review, trimming, and smart assembly of short-form storytelling which makes it ideal for social media content, vlogs, and explainer videos.

Key Features:

1. Dual Timelines: Access both an overview and detailed timeline for quick navigation and adjustments.
2. Source Tape: Review all clips like a film reel, eliminating the need to search through bins.
3. Instant Cut Tools: Ripple edits, smart trimming, and blade cutting enable fast arranging, reordering and sequencing.
4. Transitions & Effects: Ready-made transitions and simple drag-and-drop effects that are perfect for fast alternations, quick wipes, and attention-grabbing jumps.
5. Integrated Audio: Preview and adjust audio cues and background music in real-time for pacing and emotional impact.

Why It’s Great for Social Media Storytelling:

1. Pace: Supports 1-minute, ultra-fast videos with precision.
2. Simplicity: Reduces timeline clutter for a focus on story beats.
3. Versatility: Mixes live action, screen recordings, graphics, and text overlays easily.

“How I Built My First ML Model”, Fast-Paced Video Script

HOOK

On-screen text: "Ever wonder how an ML model is born?"

STEP 1: SPARK & IDEA

Visuals: Rapid-fire cuts of scribbled notes, mindmaps, web searches.

STEP 2: DATA COLLECTION

B-Roll: Downloading datasets, CSVs on screen, labeling images, marking errors.

STEP 3: CODING & DEBUGGING

Visual: Fingers flying across keyboard, terminal with red error, then fix. Voice-over: Frustrated comical

STEP 4: TRAINING

Screen: Training progress bar, graph of loss going down, triumphant popup: "Model Improving!"

Overlay: "Training..."

STEP 5: DEPLOYMENT & DEMO

Fast scenes: Pushing to web interface, running the model, demo predictions.

Pop-up: “Deployed!” Confetti animation.

CLOSING

Overlay: "Your ML journey starts here."

Assignment 1 https://youtu.be/WSeK3KBEaWI?si=nEaK5TT1AGhBpe4Z

The Edit Page

The Edit Page is an editing workspace designed for detailed, layered video production. Unlike the fast-paced, assembly-focused Cut Page, the Edit Page excels at complex edits, precise clip placement, transitions, and audio control.

Key Features:

• Layered Timeline: Allows stacking video, voiceover, music, and effects tracks for detailed control.
• Advanced Trimming: Multi-mode trimming tools (Ripple, Roll, Slip) for perfect cut placement and timing adjustments.
• Transitions & Effects Library: Drag-and-drop transitions like crossfades, dissolves, wipes for smooth scene changes.
• Audio Tools: Built-in mixer for balancing voiceover, environmental sound, and music.

Why Use the Edit Page for “Walking on Earth Gently”:

• Precision: Align voiceover precisely with visuals.
• Creativity: Layer farm and nature clips for mood and pacing.
• Control: Tweak individual clip volumes and transitions for atmosphere.

“Walking on Earth Gently”, 30-Second Video Script Overview

Opening Scene

• Fade in from black.
• Soft ambient audio
• First clip: gentle footsteps on soil in a farm setting.

Establishing Atmosphere

• Crossfade to sweeping shots of farm landscapes, close-ups of hands touching crops.
• Voiceover: “To walk on earth gently, we must notice each step…”

Rhythm & Transitions

• Cuts between clips of planting seeds, watering, harvesting.
• Smooth transitions: dissolve, quick fade between scenes to evoke a gentle flow.

Reflection & Connection

• Sequence: Farmer observing the horizon, cows on fields, moving on leaves.
• Transitions: Blend and simple cuts in response to voiceover cadence.

Closing

• Final shot: A close-up of bare feet on earth, soft fade to black.
• Voiceover: “Let’s tread lightly, with care.”
• Music and ambient sounds fade out gently.

Assignment 2