Working on overlays

Creator's Corner Directing Help & Tips
1

So when I created and places my overlay where I wanted it to go, I saved and previewed the story (where the scene started off at) and when the camera was panning to zone 1, after a second, the door appeared. How can I make it be there while the camera is panning through the zones without it just appearing there? (INT. COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY) and (@overlay COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY)

1 Like
2

You could specify the overlay position with the background like this:

INT. COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY with COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY to x y z

@pan to zone x

3

@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR create
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR opacity 1
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR moves to layer 2
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR shifts to 139 221 in zone 1
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR scales to 4.618 4.618

I have this right now.

4

Then what do I put for x y and z?

5

It’s way too much effort to place overlays like this in my opinion. Try this instead.

INT. COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY with BATHROOM STALL DOOR to 4.618 139 221 at layer 2

6

Okay thank you.

7

Wait I have this though:
INT. COLLEGE BATHROOM - DAY with BATHROOM STALL DOOR to 4.618 139 221 at layer 2

@follow ROSALINA to screen center in zone 3

@ROSALINA spot 1.280 160 0 in zone 3
@ROSALINA walks to spot 0.704 146 239 in 4 AND ROSALINA starts walk_neutral_rear
@ROSALINA faces left AND ROSALINA is rear
@pause for 3
@ROSALINA faces left

    ROSALINA (talk_exhausted)
(Why does this have to happen to me? I haven't seen the bullies in a long time, now that I've encountered them, I'm gonna get bullied again!)

sound door_creak2

    ROSALINA (react_shocked_gasp)
(Oh no! Who's coming in? I need to hide in one of the stalls!)

@ROSALINA spot 0.704 146 239 in zone 3

@pan to zone 1 in 2

@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR create
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR opacity 1
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR moves to layer 2
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR shifts to 139 221 in zone 1
@overlay BATHROOM STALL DOOR scales to 4.618 4.618

8

You don’t have to create the overlay with a command. It’s already there, attached to your background in the first line.

9

Okay.

10

Just delete the last 5 lines, they’re not necessary. This way the overlay won’t just appear but it’ll be already there.

11

Okay. Sorry for so many questions but how can I make Rosalina be in front of the door?
@ROSALINA spot 1.280 160 0 in zone 3
@ROSALINA walks to spot 0.704 146 239 in 4 AND ROSALINA starts walk_neutral_rear

12

You put her at a layer behind the overlay. In this case:
@ROSALINA moves to layer 1

13

Oh wait, you said in front of, my bad. Then it’s:
@ROSALINA moves to layer 3

14

So like this?
@ROSALINA moves to layer 3
@ROSALINA spot 1.280 160 0 in zone 3
@ROSALINA walks to spot 0.704 146 239 in 4 AND ROSALINA starts walk_neutral_rear

15

I think the layer line should come after the spot directing. Or you could do it like this:
@ROSALINA spot 1.280 160 0 in zone 3 at layer 3
If that’s what you mean.

16

Okay. Thank you.

1 Like
17

No problem, see if it works the way you wanted :slightly_smiling_face:

18

Omg, I’m sorry for soooo many questions, this is my first time writing a story. I’m right now on episode 2 of my story. So instead of making my character (Rosalina) enter from right to screen center in zone 1, how can I move the character straight to behind the bathroom door and then code it in the script?

19

I’m not sure if this is what you mean but try this:
@ROSALINA enters from right to spot 1.280 160 0 in zone 3 in T

T=time

20

I’d love to read your story! :ok_woman:t3: I you want you can dm me on instagram with the link, once you’re done --> @martini.episode