Flash Video on Web Page at DVinfo.net

Ron Edwards · June 4th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Can someone please explain how to get this effect from the studio to the web site?

Video Spokesperson - Add Online Virtual Spokesperson to your Website

Shooting the subject with green screen is not a problem. Removing the green screen with a pc based program and getting the "spokesperson" onto the web page is something I would like to learn. Would be sweet if the person stayed in the same location (like the sample) when moving up or down on the web page. Software needed?

Thanks in Advance
Ron

Bart Walczak · June 6th, 2011, 02:44 AM

It's a separate layer (DIV) with a transparent flash video embedded in it. The position is controlled with Javascript/CSS. You'd best talk to your webmaster, he should be able to create it with relative ease.

Seth Bloombaum · July 19th, 2011, 10:12 AM

(This question would receive more attention over in the Distribution Center | Flash / Web video forum)

It is a difficult workflow. Once you have transparency in your NLE, you need to export it in a codec that supports transparency - there are few. Usually, AVI-Uncompressed or QT-Animation at millions+.

Then, this needs to be encoded into a transparent flv, and incorporated into a swf with a transparent window. The only method I'm aware of uses the full Flash authoring environment from Adobe, which has a substantial learning curve itself.

Once you have the swf, it's as Bart mentions, in the html layout a div allows positioning, and the position can be changed via js (less common).

An advanced method, IMHO, made more difficult because there are several ways to get transparency wrong, and little opportunity to recognize it's wrong until the very end. You need good shooting, nle, flash, and html skills...

Which is why ispeakvideo.com has a good niche! (no, I don't have any affiliation with them)

David Barnett · July 21st, 2011, 06:35 AM

I think you guys are mixing things up. This isn't a pop-up or transparent video.. It is a general Flash video which was originally shot in front of a green screen but the replaced with a green & white gradient background to make it blend in with the website. But it isn't a true Transparent video. Bart's right though, you'd create a new layer with this video aligned center & have it as the first action. Fairly easy but you'd need to learn Flash fairly well to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

It is a difficult workflow. Once you have transparency in your NLE, you need to export it in a codec that supports transparency - there are few. Usually, AVI-Uncompressed or QT-Animation at millions+.

Then, this needs to be encoded into a transparent flv, and incorporated into a swf with a transparent window. The only method I'm aware of uses the full Flash authoring environment from Adobe, which has a substantial learning curve itself.

You can actually export straight from AE to FLV & just choose "Encode Alpha Channel" to export without the background. Then you import the video into flash as a general video & don't select a skin menu for playback.

To be honest though, these talking heads are typically viewed as annoying & page viewers tend to look at how to shut them off immediately. Are you sure that you really want/need it? There was a time several years ago where web developers were making crazy flash websites to meet their own edgy/creative satisfaction. It turned out though, viewers hated sitting thru the 10 second flash intros & even abandoned the site.

Seth Bloombaum · July 22nd, 2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

I think you guys are mixing things up. This isn't a pop-up or transparent video...

Maybe. There are several clips on the site, many of which are transparent. But, I do agree, if you can get away without transparency that's faster, simpler, and better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

(for actual transparency)...You can actually export straight from AE to FLV & just choose "Encode Alpha Channel" to export without the background. Then you import the video into flash as a general video & don't select a skin menu for playback...

Well, yes, if you have AE & the full Flash authoring app. And there are several settings in the Flash project that have to be right.

I say it's difficult because I've coached perhaps a hundred students in the workflow. If you have keying abilities in AE, and are facile with Flash, it's going to be a lot more straightforward.

But the OP indicated that he hadn't had experience with chromakeying. From that starting point, I say this is an advanced project. And, how many video pros have the Flash authoring application?

Then, you need some html skills...

David Barnett · July 22nd, 2011, 06:34 PM

^^ Gotcha. I suppose long story short, Flash is the software the OP would want to learn. Although, I still think 9 times out of 10 those talking heads are annoying to page viewers, but yeah, learn yourself some Flash to accomplish it.

June 4th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#1
Ron Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fairview Heights, Illinois Posts: 148	Flash Video on Web Page Can someone please explain how to get this effect from the studio to the web site? Video Spokesperson - Add Online Virtual Spokesperson to your Website Shooting the subject with green screen is not a problem. Removing the green screen with a pc based program and getting the "spokesperson" onto the web page is something I would like to learn. Would be sweet if the person stayed in the same location (like the sample) when moving up or down on the web page. Software needed? Thanks in Advance Ron

June 6th, 2011, 02:44 AM	#2
Bart Walczak Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Warsaw/Poland Posts: 716	Re: Flash Video on Web Page It's a separate layer (DIV) with a transparent flash video embedded in it. The position is controlled with Javascript/CSS. You'd best talk to your webmaster, he should be able to create it with relative ease. __________________ Creative Impatience - The Solace of Simple Solutions. A few useful plugins for Adobe users, and my remarks on the tools and the craft in general.

July 19th, 2011, 10:12 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: Flash Video on Web Page (This question would receive more attention over in the Distribution Center \| Flash / Web video forum) It is a difficult workflow. Once you have transparency in your NLE, you need to export it in a codec that supports transparency - there are few. Usually, AVI-Uncompressed or QT-Animation at millions+. Then, this needs to be encoded into a transparent flv, and incorporated into a swf with a transparent window. The only method I'm aware of uses the full Flash authoring environment from Adobe, which has a substantial learning curve itself. Once you have the swf, it's as Bart mentions, in the html layout a div allows positioning, and the position can be changed via js (less common). An advanced method, IMHO, made more difficult because there are several ways to get transparency wrong, and little opportunity to recognize it's wrong until the very end. You need good shooting, nle, flash, and html skills... Which is why ispeakvideo.com has a good niche! (no, I don't have any affiliation with them) __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

July 22nd, 2011, 06:34 PM	#6
David Barnett Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 951	Re: Flash Video on Web Page ^^ Gotcha. I suppose long story short, Flash is the software the OP would want to learn. Although, I still think 9 times out of 10 those talking heads are annoying to page viewers, but yeah, learn yourself some Flash to accomplish it.