VP-VCR Asset Versioning for Shot Recreation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing versioning and publishing systems in motion picture production do not allow for convenient retrieval of assets used in prior shots, as assets evolve over time, making it difficult to revert to previous versions or recreate past shots effectively.
Innovation Solution
The VP-VCR system allows querying a database to retrieve data about prior shots, including asset versions and dependencies, enabling the recreation of past shots and modification of assets to create new effects, with features like difference mode visualization and complementary stereo image creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If versioning and publishing systems track asset versions in rendered scenes, then asset version documentation is improved, but automatic retrieval of assets from prior shots is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates and stores lookup data during the rendering process, capturing asset information, versions, and dependencies before they are needed for retrieval. This preliminary action enables fast automatic retrieval of assets from prior shots without requiring complex real-time analysis of rendering histories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and stores copies of asset reference information, version data, and dependency relationships in a structured lookup table. These copies enable rapid retrieval and comparison of assets across different shots and time periods without accessing the original rendering processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom rendering configuration is used for each shot, then rendering flexibility is improved, but production cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal lookup table that serves multiple functions: tracking asset versions, storing dependency information, enabling automatic retrieval, and supporting both custom and standardized rendering workflows. This single structure replaces multiple separate systems that would otherwise be needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of asset information from unstructured rendering data to structured lookup records with specific parameters (asset identifiers, versions, timestamps, dependencies). This parameterization enables efficient querying and retrieval while maintaining flexibility for different rendering configurations.
3Duration of action of moving object
If assets are modified over time, then asset evolution is improved, but ability to revert to prior shot appearance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and stores asset version information and dependency relationships at the time of each rendering operation, before subsequent modifications occur. This preliminary recording ensures that prior asset states are preserved and can be reliably retrieved to recreate previous shot appearances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where rendering operations automatically record asset information in the lookup table, which then feeds back to enable retrieval and comparison. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures that asset evolution is tracked and prior states remain accessible for verification and recreation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented here allow recreation of prior scenes, even if assets used in the scenes have evolved over time. The systems and methods employ query of a database to obtain data for backup and retrieval, e.g., information about shots made at prior points in time, where a “shot” refers to a scene or associated set of sequential frames (a single image may also be considered a shot in some instances), rendered or not depending on context. In the VP-VCR systems and methods, information may be obtained about rendered scenes which allow knowledge and subsequent use of each asset employed in the scene, including its proper version and representation at the time of the rendering. Such may be employed not only to obtain prior versions of shots, but also to allow modification of assets in prior shots to obtain new effects.