Trams, Trains and Automobiles!

Looking within the old imagery for ideas about what could be used to bring life to these scenes, I made a list about what I needed...

Obviously, an old tram, something that is seen in many of the images. If I can find some good images, or even video footage of trams, specifically ones from the right era, it would look great having them moving within the shots.

This image is unique to itself, showing a train leaving in the distance. It's unique in that I couldn't use it elsewhere, and it would be specific to this image alone. Either I find another shot of a train, or I cut the one directly from this.

A car could be quite handy, either from this kind of angle where it heads into the distance, or even side on to drive past the shot.

Also, given the layout of certain shots, and how I don't want them devoid of life, I could do with footage of people walking, both towards and away, from different angles. I don't need loads, and it's something I can't just use still images for and hope for it to look realistic. This shot for example would be great to have a small crowd of people walking away at an angle, into the distance...

Basically, the more I have going off within my shots, the more life I can bring to the still images, and the more convincing my idea becomes.

So, I searched away and tried to build my collection of trams, trains and automobiles!

The footage I found of Sheffield came in quite handy, I made a few screen grabs at the right moment in order to cut and paste the images I needed. From here, I got the following...

 A nice flat on side view of a tram, would be ideal for the Castle Square idea of a tram moving perfectly sideways.

This was a good shot of a tram from the front with a slight angle, which could easily be manipulated in after Effects to grow in size, thus giving the illusion of it coming towards the camera. The shot would have to end before the angle of it would normally change, otherwise it will look way too fake.

I also found the following images that suited the era and proved useful...

Tram shot, similar to previous, but with more of an angle to account for depth in field and change of view.

Similar angle tram but different design, might conflict with previous ones.

 Shot of car from the early 1900's period I'm aiming for. Would be a good side on view for one that drives right past. Although I'd have to add a driver! Nice wheels though, could come in handy...

 Good shot of car from behind with slight angle, would work going off into distance. Although I only just noticed the woman hanging out the window, which might render it unusable. Daft cow...

 Another side shot of a period car, this time with a driver. Would probably have to animate the wheels separately so that they turn realistically.

 Great shot fo a car from directly ahead, would be great to use it coming towards the camera from the distance, obviously cutting it before it hits our cameraman... :P

Another shot from side, with driver. Would need to animate wheels again, but can be used in same way as ones before. Might cut the wheels from the first car, as they seemed to stand out nicely.

I did a quick test to see if the wheels would animate okay and help give a decent enough illusion of the car in motion...

Turned out ok, and as part of a background with motion blur added as it moved from one side of the shot to the other, I think it would look fine!

I'm just thinking though, as I found some decent footage from the old Sheffield streets, I might even have a play around and attempt to cut stuff from there directly. It would certainly give that authentic feel I'm aiming for, and it's certainly worth a try, as otherwise, I run the risk of my idea looking to fake and forced by simply moving still images around to create a mock sense of motion.

That's the next test I think, cutting stuff from old footage.