MAGIC SPELL WIP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ4F_F7CEkg&feature=channel_video_title

This is a stab at creating magical spell stuff, that isn't fire or lightning. Or fractal noise which is overused and I can recognize in a heartbeat

Overall, I like the look of the CC particle world w/vector blur, but the movement of the blast irks me. It's too fast and lacks motion blur, which I think would save it.

Trying to figure out how to make that. When I use CC motion blur it just negates the effect.

I also need to adjust the track as I won't to use this as test footage for other effects. Next time I shoot something like this, i will probably just put a square of green gaff tape on my hand, but I want to try and make this footage work, so I can learn to solve a problem if it ever comes up again. Maybe do a track to the crux of my palm and thumb? Then parent that to the null for the camera movement?

Any thoughts?

Let me know what think about the effect as is and also what I could do to fix the aforementioned problems.

The creative effect doesn't seem precisely locked to the hand motion, and what happened to the other hand? One is magic and other not?
No actor response on the varying effect "intensity." Not selling the effect in the performance seriously undermines it.

Sound effect adds a lot.

Thank you for the feedback.

I am aware of the tracking issues, as noted in my original post. I am looking for suggestions to fix the effect.

As for the performance, this is just test footage to test effects on, not for an actual short so I did not put much effort into my acting. I will take that into account though, if I proceed forward and use this for an actual project. As for 1 hand versus 2 magic hands, I feel I need to solve the initial problems before i can decide to make it 1 or 2 hands. Again, thanks for the feedback.

What suggestions do you guys have for solving the issues stated in the original post.

	Quote:
	When I use CC motion blur it just negates the effect.

pre-comping should solve that.

Thanks Itchybob, it didn't work the first time, but I will try it again. I may have had the wrong button clicked when I pre-comped it.

Others may have a differing opinion on this, but for me, an effects shot must have all the pieces in place -- digital artwork, performance, and so on. Without all that, it can't work.

There is no "correct" bolt of energy emerging from the human palm. Whatever you like is right. But movies are made of multiple elements, and it's worth the effort to practice with all of them.

-- Paul