Idolish7 "Mr.Affection" MV behind the scenes 4th: Beautiful MV world spun by background art

This magazine "CGWORLD VOL.The new song of the popular idol group IDOLISH7 "MR", which started with a special project of 258.Affection] This short -term serialization approaching behind the scenes of MV (7 times in total).In the fourth part of the turn, Mr. Hisako Akagi, an art director, explained the background art of building the world of this MV."MR".What is the charm of AFFECTION?

Text_e Kei Nozawa / Satoshi Nozawaedit_ Mie Saito / Mie Saito (CGWORLD), Hitomi Komura / Hitomi Komura (CGWORLD), Momoko Yamada / Momoko Yamadaphoto_Mitsuru Hirota / Mitsuru HIROTA

"Background art" that draws a stage that makes use of idols

When the idol is danced, it looks more idol -this is all of the concepts in the background of this work.It is a vigorous and exciting expression, but it really captures the core.The brushing that expresses a good personality and the essence is exactly the craftsman.The person is Akagi, who is the art director of this work.

Mr. Akagi noticed the charm when he started background art as a part -time job while studying at art university.After graduating from university, he accumulated a background art career in a famous studio and joined orange in 2016.He has participated in a number of works, including the art director's "Jewelry Country" (2017) and "Monster Strike The Movie Soranocanata" (2018)."I've been calm and tired since I was a child, so I was not good at drawing one picture for a long time. On the other hand, the background of the video work must be drawn in a short time.Not. I think that was right with my personality, "said Akagi.

In the animation of the TV series, there are about 300 cuts per episode, and the number of cuts requires background art.This MV, which was about three and a half minutes, used about 80 background art.Mr. Akagi, who says "that is suitable for sex!"Is a born background craftsman.

In this MV, the technology cultivated by Mr. Akagi is fully demonstrated. Because, as I have said before, all shooting is being performed in the studio. On top of that, various technologies are used to create rich images that inflate the image of the song, but Akagi's background art is particularly large. The background is that the ratio of the screen is the largest in video works such as MV, animation, and dramas. In other words, there is a possibility that everything will be ruined if the background does not fit the work or story, no matter how wonderful the cast performs. According to Akagi, it is important to create a world where viewers can empathize without worrying about the background. For that purpose, it is naturally necessary to have a high degree of perfection as a picture.

▲ The cut at the beginning of "regret".In the configuration of dark lighting and dark background and black eyes, it was difficult for the members to shine.

In order to draw a high -quality background without discomfort, it is important to first understand the "culture".The old castle, which is the main stage this time, imagines the North Meia, where Rokuya Nagi's birthplace is located, but even if it is said to be a Scandinavian style, it is not a realistic background with workers alone.Therefore, Mr. Akagi carefully investigated Nordic materials, from the architectural style of the castle to the handle shape and the surrounding environment."It is no exaggeration to say that the time for preliminary research is the most common in all processes of background art."The large amount of time spent leads to drawing a compelling and beautiful background.

▲ One scene in a stone wall room.The stage of this scene, Riku Nanase, who runs up to Ichiori Izumi, who disappears as a chile of light, was also drawn in the background art.

And as the words at the beginning show, "the cast (idol) shines" is also a good background condition. However, Kensuke Yamamoto aimed at this work was a "world view that suppresses the brightness of a Hollywood movie." Hollywood movies often use techniques that reduce the brightness of the face and give a dramatic impression, but the Japanese idol MV basically does not create a dark face. Idol fans prefer videos that clearly show their expressions. Meanwhile, the method of Director Yamamoto can be said to be a break. Mr. Akagi seems to have explored the background of the castle's cast, while taking in Yamamoto's directing intention. It will make it easier to see even in a violently moving camera work according to the costume and hair color of the member.

▲ The scene above the bridge leading to the old castle.The studio members are well matched with the background drawn in art.By adding shooting processing such as flare, it became a more fantastic world.

For example, in the scene of the shirt costume introduced in the third series, it was conscious of the contrast, such as the white shining ice and snow on the ground that suffered black pants, and the dark and shining night sky behind the white shirt.Considering the balance of the screen, adjusting the light and dark and color is also the role of background art.There are times when the members match the background, and sometimes they get to the background.Say.In the concepted calculations, it was a sharp image that ultimately narrowed down the overall brightness, crushed the darkness, and show where to show it.

▲ Mr. Akagi draws a background art.Draw while creating a color on a plastic board.The background picture of the photo is originally Akagi.The materials drawn in analog are active in various scenes in this work.

▲ State of background work by PC and tablet.It is Akagi's strength that can draw the background in both analog and digital.

In this work, in addition to the stage such as the main castle and lake, about 10 situations such as prison and life walls appeared, but it was also Akagi's role to consider the setting of such a stage.He interacts with Director Yamamoto, making colors according to the members' feelings and thinking about detailed settings."How far I could reproduce the image of Director Yamamoto was one of the major points related to the perfection of the MV. I added the opinions and ideas of the main staff to further enhance the overall degree of perfection."Yuki Hanzawa, a production producer.

This work is the first director's work for Director Yamamoto, and it seems that frank opinions were often exchanged without being caught in positions or positions to adopt advice from theory and other staff.Sometimes I interacted intensely, but that's because I was trusted by each other.A chemical reaction occurs when the strong desire to make this MV better is.Mr. Akagi said, "I think orange is an unexpected miracle in the work because it repeats trial and error in the studio that continues to challenge. Through this Idolish7's MV, as much as possible.If you could make a smile, you would like it. "

▲ This magazine "CGWORLD VOL" said by Mr. Akagi, "I put out everything on this cover!".The cover graphic of "258".Background art is well built in the world to take a picture of IDOLISH7 members.In addition, this time, a specially presented poster for the cover will be presented.See the end of the article for details!

Next page: "MR".Affection]

"MR" explained by art directors.Affection]

From here, as a making part, we will introduce the background art used in this work in detail with actual materials and scene cuts.I would like to thoroughly explain from the creation of the background to the technology of the background drawing that Akagi is proud of.Let's take a look at the skills of the craftsman hidden in that scene and this scene.Don't miss the second half of the game, which is delivered with a full volume!

The art setting of the old castle appearance that is the stage of the MV

▲ The art setting prepared by Mr. Akagi, who received the order of North Mey's Nordic image before drawing the actual background art."I think the goodness of the background art is where the" picture lies "is given. This old castle is fictitious, and there is actually no such castle in Scandinavia, so draw the image so that it looks good.I did, "said Akagi.What I am aware of here is that it is based on the actual architectural style, but not too tied up.I built a cool design only for this MV, such as picking up good points during the research and mixing Akagi's ideas.

Drawing that can withstand the camera closer

▲ Instruction of camera work in the beginning of MV cut.Here, it was instructed to truck up from a large outer frame (A) to a small frame (B) that captures the top of the door.

Concept art that shows two expressions

This time, a method of synthesizing the background later in studio shooting was adopted, so it was decided to create a bridge and walls that lead to the old castle in 3DCG.Therefore, it seems that Akagi drew a rough board and concept art according to that, with the background model created based on the art settings.

▲ Rough board.Indicates the direction of the entire MV at the early stage of production

▲ CG layout.It became a base for drawing the concept art of the old castle

▲ Concept art of the old castle ①.In the image of the loneliness of the beginning of the song, it is a dark setting overall.It is an atmosphere that reduces the number of colors, and the snow is worse and the visibility is worse, and the anxiety of the songs.

▲ Background art.Mr. Akagi drew based on [Old Castle's Concept Art ①]

▲ Concept art of old castle ②.It is expressed brightly overall, imagining the strength of the song last."I created a space that brings out the energetic aspects of the members by weaving warm colors."

▲ Background art

▲ Cutting the scene of the song early and the last.Even in the same place, if the concept art is different, the background gives a different impression.The effect of the production due to the background is large

Distant view background supporting camera work

Let's explain the cut of the camera work around 360 degrees in the early MV.The background of this cut is actually drawn in a single picture.

▲ Cell reference and background art.Before drawing the background, he always gets cell reference.In this case, the part where the background model is reflected is represented by black, but by knowing how other members move in advance, the drawing of the part that is not reflected in the camera should be suppressed.Can do.In addition, the place where the camera work is fast is focused on the ease of visibility than the details, and it is conscious of how to draw on the surface, such as roughly and dark expressions like charcoal drawing.

▲ Background art。限られた制作期間の中でも、セル参考を基に描く箇所を絞って力を注ぐことで、効果的に背景を仕上げることができる

▲ Character number of scene cuts.While creating a feeling of air that supports the painful expression of members such as Tamo Yotsuba, Izumi Izumi, and Nagi Rokuya, they are packed in background art so that all members can easily see the appearance.Originally, the background of the background is to lift the brightness so that the black costume shines, but in addition to the setting of night, the material such as stones will inevitably become dark.Therefore, according to the position where the members of the cell reference are reflected, the members are arranged by placing white things such as snow and aurora to enhance the members.

Next page: Riku Nanase swallowed by smoke

Riku Nanase swallowed by smoke

▲ Cut that Nanase is wrapped in smoke. In the work of art directors, the concept art is first drawn at the initial stage such as planning, creating art settings based on the storyboard, working on a rough board and art board, and finishing background art for each cut. Above all, it takes time to think about the first color and settings to consider the settings. He is strongly aware of what kind of environment the video can be watched. This MV is not completely black, assuming that it can be seen in a bright environment, such as smartphones and home monitors. On the other hand, works that are watched in a dark space like a movie seem to be densely drawn because the dark background can be seen in detail. If the image of each scene is solidified, the background will be drawn more and more, so the speed will increase in the second half. Mr. Akagi said, "There is a sense of accomplishment because the background art draws a lot of pictures!

Stone wall room where the production of contemporary dance is shining

▲ The art setting of the stone wall room.There is also a production in which the lyrics translated by Mr. Takeda are projected, and "Where do you embed the projector on the wall?

▲ Rough board.By coloring it based on [art settings in stone wall rooms], we will approach the final image.

▲ Art material.Create a background model based on the art settings of line drawings, and paste the material of this wall drawn in the background art.All different materials are prepared on the four walls, and if you look closely, the holes where the projector is buried is also drawn.

▲ Art material after lighting filter processing.Adjust it according to the cut, such as when receiving the light of the projection

▲ Background art of stone walls.The bright part is the part where the projector is projected

▲ One scene of the completed Ichimi and Nikaido.The stone wall room due to the background art is impressed by the viewer's dance.

Transparent frozen lake stage

The scene of the ice lake where members disappear one by one.The art material separated by parts, such as the ice surface of the lake, the mountains, and the sky, is placed in a spherical 3D space to express a 360 -degree space.Here, the detailed composition materials are released at once.

▲ Art setting

▲ Art board.In recent years, the use of digital tools is the mainstream of background art, but it is often said that organic things such as ice cracks and distant trees are often drawn in analog.It is said that the coincidence and momentum unique to analog brushes, such as bleeding and cracks on the brush tip, work positively, and as a result, the work will be fast and beautiful.On the other hand, it is best to use digital that can easily draw accurate lines.It seems that digital and analog are used properly during trial and error."If it is the best picture for viewers, we will not be particular about the means," says Akagi, the pride of the background art.

▲ Ice surface material

▲ Waving material on the surface of the lake.It was drawn in large quantities.This is what I drew on paper with a brush

▲ Cracked cross -sectional material.This was also drawn with a brush

▲ Cracks of cracks of various patterns

▲ A material with cracks and cracks on the ice surface.In comparison, you can see that the brushing differs depending on the expression

▲ The ice material is stacked on [material with cracks and cracks on the ice surface].When the color of the ice is attached, the atmosphere of the cold ice increases at a stretch

▲ Materials that integrate [cracked material on the surface of lake]

▲ crack flare material.Flare is a phenomenon in which images taken in the real space become whitish and light.Reproduced the phenomenon

▲ A cracking material on the ice surface with [cracked flare material] on top of [ice surface material] and [material that integrates cracked material on the lake surface].This is designed so that it can be repeated up, down, left and right.

▲ One scene of ice lake.By carefully drawing not only cracks on the surface, but also the lower cross section, the cold reality is increasing.

▲ Sky material

▲ Ice field material

▲ Island (small) material ①

▲ Flare material ①

▲ [Flare material ①] is synthesized

▲ Island (middle) material ①

▲ Flare material ②

▲ [Flare material ②] is synthesized

▲ Island (middle) material ②

▲ Flare material ③

▲ [Empty material] - [Flare material ③] is synthesized

▲ Island (large) material

▲ Island (small) material ②

▲ Island (small) material

▲ Final background art.Before you reach this background, many of the above materials were drawn.

▲ Part of the material drawn in analog.The above monochrome is aurora, one blue is a starry sky, and the last two are trees.As I introduced earlier, Mr. Akagi also uses analog techniques well.

▲ The scene of the ice lake.The CG team is placed on the art material created in the background art, and the shooting team composes it to the final completed video."The power of all sections is combined, and the stage that matches the image board has been completed, and I am happy," said Akagi.In the cut of the bust -up, the beautiful aurora shines behind, and the beautiful background shines well with the dynamic dance.

▲ In the scene where the whole body is reflected, it seems that black pants shine due to the ice of the shining lake, and it seems that they are dancing on a really frozen lake.

Next page: Backgrounds that excite the transformation scene

Backgrounds that excite the transformation scene

Here, I would like to pay attention to the background of the transformation scene.Let's introduce the scenes of Souzaka Osaka, Yamato, and Ichiri from the seven people.

▲ A background art of Osaka's transformation scene.In the case of such a castle that is the stage, there is no frame in the window glass of this size for architecture, but so that Mr. Osaka's face does not cover the frame, dare to the window frame as this MV specification.It was not designed.The "picture lie" unique to the background art is alive

▲ Actual cut.By eliminating the window frame, it was a mysterious scene where only the glass was scattered beautifully without disturbing Mr. Osaka's performance.Regarding this glass, it was said that the glass was made with tortoiseshells in consideration of danger at the time of shooting, and replaced with a glass that could be divided by VFX.

▲ The background art of Nikaido's transformation scene.This scene draws background art according to the shape of the background model, but just lining up the same bricks tends to be a cheap impression of the work.Therefore, while not being shaken from the shape of the background model, the picture is destroyed by the background art side and intonation."I think it's also an important role in art to break down so that you don't feel uncomfortable. In order to give a natural feeling, drawing with human eyes will give you a unique taste and it will be better."(Mr. Akagi)

▲ Completed cut.The unrealistic feeling of passing through the flame in the realist background makes this scene more impressive.

▲ The background art of Ichiori's transformation scene.Mr. Ichiori had a hole in the hedge, so there was an art material with a hedge in the back, no hole in the front, and a hole in the front and no holes.

▲ [Left] and [Right] are in a state of synthesized in the front and the back of the life.

▲ Completed cut.The scene was completed in a way that was cool in a way that was kind to the earth without actually drilling holes in the hedges.In addition, this feather effect is explained in the second series, so please check that too.

Effectively supplement the stage from an art perspective

An old castle that stands quietly in the mountains.The rich nature and mountains surrounding all sides make you feel the Nordic air, but these mountains have a technical meaning.By making the surroundings a mountain, the horizon is hidden and the space behind it is omitted.The camera work on the bridge introduced earlier and the scene of the ice lake are also effective, reducing unnecessary costs, making free camera work with peace of mind.The mountains, which play an important role in these various aspects, have been devised.Although there is a rough background model, the art material drawn on the plane was arranged round on the 3DCG side, giving a good three -dimensional effect.

In the case of a cut with a 3D -like camera work, if the layout is different from the layout, the material will be shifted when paste it into the background model, so basically it must be drawn according to the layout.However, "Mr. Akagi, who values the sensation of the human eyes, has a policy of supplementing the lack of shortage.

▲ The shape of the mountain is changed from the 3D layout of [above], and instead the river is inserted to create a sense of scale.The drawn background art is [middle], and the finished cut is [Bottom].Changing from the layout and improving accuracy with background art

Directly hit Akagi's work desk!

Finally, let me introduce some of the tools that Akagi uses in analog.

▲ Akagi's work desk.Various tools are used

▲ Poster color.It is an essential item for analog background drawing.Various colors are stored on the shelf.The work desk has a lot of colors that are often used so that it can be used at any time.Each container has a plastic spoon, which is for stirring so that it does not solidify or mold.The size is perfect for the container

▲ Brush.There are all kinds of types here.It is said that it is used properly depending on what you draw.Which brush to choose is the experience of the art craftsman

▲ Soft pastel.This is also Akagi's favorite item.A glimpse of the background art craftsman's atelier, which makes full use of various art materials and combines with digital tools to build the world and stage of the work.

This is the 4th series!