Just finished a little test for a fan film I have been planning. Hope yall enjoy it. The effects aren’t quite complete yet but I wanted to get some feedback.
I really like what you’ve got so far! The animation of the stream, especially how each element dies out separately when it’s shut down, is really good. I also liked the dissolving effect you used on the ghost as it went through the screen, as well as the little glass bottle shattering. I know you said you aren’t done yet, but I would suggest adding the lens flare on the tip of the gun, and maybe some additional “light spill” on your actor. I know it was just a test clip, but when you do an explosion like that, try adding a little camera shake to really sell the effect. Like I said, great job so far. What software did you use?
That’s actually REALLY GOOD! I would make the stream slightly more opaque, you absolutely have the spiraling lightning and beam effect DOWN. I’m sitting here with my mouth hanging open. Really, great job!
Thank you for the feedback guys! I used Photoshop’s video workspace to edit the stream effect in frame by frame. It takes a bit of time but i find that it is worth it in the end because it gives so much personality to the movement. Great respects to all of the GB fan film makers but I find most of the stream effects too automated. I really enjoyed the quality of work that went into the GB 1 effects and I really want to try and emulate that here.
Your off to a great start!
Keep up the good work man.
wow man! knocked it out of the park there!
I love it. I think animating the stream by hand is crucial to getting that authentic look. Streams animated by deformers and what not just seem to lack that certain something that the original film effects had.
Well done! Excellent work on the lightning. Frame by frame is the way to go with streams. I know how much of a pain it is to do but the results speak for themselves.
How does anyone feel about practical lighting, while you’re shooting, to make the effect show on the person’s face?
I’d say it’s pretty important. It helps to sell the effect, and is pretty easy to accomplish with a little planning. I don’t think any digital effect really works without a little back up from a practical effect.
Not a fan with strobes. And regular film lights don’t flicker quick enough.
In ours we had to add a flicker effect in post. A strobe light was too consistent and didn’t have enough oomph.
Interesting…so what do you guys recommend? Nothing on set?
wind a debris on set, with random flashing lights (not a strobe) then just add the stream in post.
Lawrence
Wind and debris…interesting, I hadn’t thought of that. No strobe, just random lights…okay. Anybody else? Why don’t we have a sticky dedicated to this? I mean, isn’t a GB fan film just another “prop replica”?
Solid effort!!
In response to what other have said: When your only alternative to rotoscope is “The Wiggler”, I agree, rotoscope will most likely look better. If you expand your skill set into Houdini, there’s this - http://www.authorityfx.com/ghostbusters-proton-stream-tutorial/
Take a look as I think this could really help your film.
Best,
Ryan