MAVIS: Mobile Acquisition and VISualization

Abstract

Professional video recording is a complex process which often requires expensive cameras and large amounts of ancillary equipment. With the advancement of mobile technologies, cameras on mobile devices have improved to the point where the quality of their output is sometimes comparable to that obtained from a professional video camera and are often used in professional productions. However, tools that allow professional users to access the information they need to control the technical quality of their filming and make an informed decision about what they are recording are missing on mobile platforms. In this paper we present MAVIS (Mobile Acquisition and VISualization) a tool for professional filming on a mobile platform. MAVIS allows users to access information such as colour vectorscope, waveform monitor, false colouring, focus peaking and all other information that is needed to produce high quality professional videos. This is achieved by exploiting the capabilities of modern mobile GPUs though the use of a number of vertex and fragment shaders. Evaluation with professionals in the film industry shows that the app and its functionalities are well received and that the output and usability of the application align with professional standards.

Design Fiction Film-Making

“…We emphasise the use of experiences classification as starting point of the pre-production step, followed by the identification of the lifestyle, the design of the characters and the script, whereas the industrystandard pipeline starts with the writing of the script and the character design and the design of their emotions are tasks that encompass different stages from scripting to storyboarding. Our pipeline also differs from industry-standard in the pre-visualisation stage as we replace the standard stage, which nowadays is computer generated [6], with a low-cost film prototype, inspired by role-playing design techniques [5], and shot using tools such as MAVIS [16] and iMovie for iPhone.…”

“…A film prototype is a low cost version of the film, produced quickly from the storyboard and the script. This prototype is shot using low cost tools, for instance we used MAVIS [16] an iPhone app designed for professional film-making, and iMovie, replacing actors with the design team, and without the final sets or props. In addition to help exploring and planning the shots, the framing, the mood, the locations for the final film, and understanding which scenes need to be shot on location and which are better shot in a studio, the film prototype influences the design of the technology as it is in essence a filmed role-playing design exercise with the additional purpose of guiding the film production.…”

“…We had access to a multi-camera film studio at the University which allowed us access to professional tools (such as professional cameras, lenses, lights, stabilisers, props, costumes and make up) and software (such as Keynote to prototype interfaces, MAVIS [16] and iMovie to produce the film prototype on the iPhone, Final Cut Pro to edit the raw footage, After Effects to produce the visual effects, DaVinci Resolve to colour and Logic Pro X to design the sound and music). Actors, dog and background actors were recruited, a car hired and we used various locations for shooting (for example the Brighton beach, a countryside village road, a garden and the multi-camera film studio).…”