When compositing VFX, it’s important to note that you don’t always need to create everything from scratch.
In fact… you shouldn’t. It takes a lot of time to create everything yourself and you might not have much time. Especially when clients have deadlines and movies have premieres.
This advanced video from ActionVFX is a nice walk-through of an added explosion, debris, and burning smoke trail. The video mostly uses their elements (which are really good) but you can also find similar stock elements elsewhere.
In the video we learn:
- Tracking a shot’s movement with planar tracking
- Adjusting speed of stock elements to match the clip
- Using bitmap tool to mask out items
- Adjusting colors & brightness to make it all match
- Adding camera shake for extra impact
- Using Fusion’s particle system to create a burning smoke trail
The whole things moves pretty quickly, so it may take some pausing to get all the details if you’re trying to follow along with a similar shot.
Have fun blowing things up!
Gedaly is the Founder and Lead Educator of DVResolve.com and is Blackmagic Design Certified Master Trainer. He’s edited commercials for major brands and has done color & VFX for independent films. He consults on post-production workflow and creating online education. Gedaly is the co-founder of Working.Actor, a former marketing manager for large brands, and creates original film projects with his production company Razee.