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The making of Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi Visual Effects〜Kumo E4-600

The making of Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi Visual Effects〜Kumo E4-600
This article introduces various VFX scenes where the test train "Kumo E4-600" runs out of control on the subway track in the movie "Negotiator - Mashita Masayoshi", a spin-off movie from "Odoru Daisosasen."
* The movie "Negotiator - Mashita Masayoshi" began to be shown on May 7, 2005 at first-run movie theaters all over Japan.
Three models of "Kumo" were used for the movie

Three models of "Kumo" were used for the movie
We used three models to shoot the test train, "Kumo E4-600" in the movie: a 1/8.4 scale miniature, a full scale set (head part only) and 3D CG shots which suited scene by scene.
Miniature model Left： 1/8.4 scale miniature model It is movable by remote control. Used mainly for the scenes where the train runs in a tunnel.
    Right: A shot in which a miniature Kumo is running.
Full scale model Left: A scene from the shooting of a full scale Kumo. Used mainly for the close-up shots which required more detailed expressions.
    Right: Kumo which was full of holes in a firefight. The background was live action shots which were superimposed later.
CG model

CG Kumo which was prepared with 3ds max. Used mainly for the scenes created by combining live action shots and CG.

Live background shot + CG Kumo
CG Kumo was composited on live action shots for the scene in which Kumo first appeared. The shot was difficult to process because there were flares already in the background, but the tunnel with the reflection of actual lights resulted in a realistic expression which cannot be achieved with a miniature model or CG.
Live-action shot on the location in the tunnel of the Kobe Municipal Subway. The shot was taken by using a maintenance trolley equipped with lights which were similar to the headlights of Kumo.
The trolley in the live-action shot was deleted, and CG Kumo was composited where the trolley was previously located. After color adjustment, a lens flare was added to complete the shot.

Full scale Kumo + CG processing
For the scenes in which Kumo was shot, a full scale Kumo was used. It was equipped with gunpowder to achieve realistic sparks. In fact, the full scale Kumo was not movable, so we applied various post-processing to make it look like it was actually running.
Live-action shot of the full scale Kumo. Gunpowder and an air blower were used to achieve a realistic texture.   The tunnel in the background and bullets were created with CG. Sparks which were shot separately were also composited to complete the scene.

Full CG Kumo
Kumo in the movie was able to change its gauge width, which was an important factor in the story. The shot showing the changes of the gauge width was difficult with a miniature model, so we used full CG to create the scene.


Shot created with full CG : It shows where the width of the wheels were changing under the train.
Other than the scenes explained above, we used full CG shots in the scenes where a passenger train was chased by Kumo to create camera work which was impossible with a miniature model.

Official website of the movie "Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi":http://www.odoru-legend.com/negotiator/

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Oct/2005
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