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sspunisher
08-12-2005, 12:59 PM
Not exactly a screenwriting topic I suppose, but I figured it'd be the best place for it.

Was just curious if any of you use or know anyone who uses any special effects software. Mostly stuff that has to do with adding effects to movies such as burning buildings, explosions, fireworks, etc.

The one I've seen is particleIllusion, was wondering if there were any other really high quality progs out there. Just looking to play around with some videos and see what I can add to them.

Suggestions?
Enigma
08-12-2005, 01:52 PM
Not exactly a screenwriting topic I suppose, but I figured it'd be the best place for it.

Was just curious if any of you use or know anyone who uses any special effects software. Mostly stuff that has to do with adding effects to movies such as burning buildings, explosions, fireworks, etc.

The one I've seen is particleIllusion, was wondering if there were any other really high quality progs out there. Just looking to play around with some videos and see what I can add to them.

Suggestions?

There are a few on the professional level that are good. Very few. And they are expensive ($5-15,000). Look at Correll and Photoshop instead.

Your local college/university might be a good place to ask.

Another source might be AumHa.com, or .net. They're computer experts and will know what's out there.
Richard
08-12-2005, 02:41 PM
EffectsLab. Does pretty muich everything from lightsabers to muzzle flashes - cheap and cheerful, but certainly easier than grabbing Adobe After Effects or whatever and doing it by hand.

http://fxhome.com/effectslab/
Enigma
08-12-2005, 02:55 PM
EffectsLab. Does pretty muich everything from lightsabers to muzzle flashes - cheap and cheerful, but certainly easier than grabbing Adobe After Effects or whatever and doing it by hand.

http://fxhome.com/effectslab/

Interesting, and not expensive; worth making a note of the URL, should I.... Thanks.
Joe Calabrese
08-14-2005, 12:34 AM
I use AfterEffects, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Photoshop and Shake for just about everything I can imagine. Other than proprietary software that ILM or other houses had made up just for themselves, knowing AfterEffects and Photoshop are good staple programs for a resume in the field.
Enigma
08-14-2005, 01:06 AM
Hear you made it back alive! Have a good time?
Joe Calabrese
08-14-2005, 01:11 AM
yup.
sspunisher
08-14-2005, 04:16 AM
hey joe, wouldn't happen to have a movie sample handy of what you can do with those programs online, would you?
sspunisher
08-14-2005, 04:40 AM
There are a few on the professional level that are good. Very few. And they are expensive ($5-15,000).

Do you know the names of any of them?

Not that I can afford 'em, but if a meteor ever crashes into the Earth, and the streets are being looted, I'd like to know what software to keep an eye out for.
Enigma
08-14-2005, 01:42 PM
Do you know the names of any of them?

Not that I can afford 'em, but if a meteor ever crashes into the Earth, and the streets are being looted, I'd like to know what software to keep an eye out for.

I've only seen one in action, and since I know nothing about the hows and whys, did not save that info on my mental HD.
Joe Calabrese
08-14-2005, 04:52 PM
hey joe, wouldn't happen to have a movie sample handy of what you can do with those programs online, would you?Nothing online and my demo reel is soooo out of date. I got out of post work four years ago but I practice once and a while to keep the skills up to date (sort of). Nothing to brag about, mostly small commercials, industrials, corporate videos and such. No Star Wars from me.

A side note: A film a guy I know made, Stefan Avalos' The Ghosts of Edendale used FX all created with just Photoshop and AfterEffects on a shoe string budget. Movie is not so great but the FX are cool considering how much it cost (like a couple of hundred bucks.)
Richard
08-14-2005, 07:05 PM
Do you know the names of any of them?

Not that I can afford 'em, but if a meteor ever crashes into the Earth, and the streets are being looted, I'd like to know what software to keep an eye out for.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=331041&siteID=123112

Scroll down until you get to the Discreet range - Flame, Smoke and the like, and try not to drool into your keyboard.