Explosions - is there an easy way?

I'm looking for a no-cost, no-frills way to to explosions.

I'm looking for pure 2-D cheesy stuff - a good, easy way to matte something on, perhaps? This is not a high ambition project, just looking for something to get the idea across.

Thanks!

 

Umm... it might be easier for us to help if you more clearly defined what you need.

I am going to assume that you're trying to add explosions downloaded or ripped from other sources onto live-action footage in Adobe Premiere.


If you have explosions shot against bluescreen or black (or even space!), you can just key out that color...

They use this technique in my favorite fan film ever, When Senators Attack IV. All of their explosions are done the same way--Premiere's luminace transparency filter.

If you like that look, you've found your answer.



Rick McCallum loves you!

 

Try some flour in a party popper, film it against black backdrop. Some bits of flour will 'cling' to other bits of flour, making them heavier; giving a look of debris. (you said you don't mind cheesy)

You can then screen the footage over your scene, make a few layers of it, adjust the hue/saturation (colorise) to give it some colour.

Also, you might want to add the inside of a second party popper in the one you're using, so you will have 2 pieces of string coming out the same hole, tie both strings together, more bang for your buck.

EDIT: The following post now makes me wonder about my own post.. pfft, i'll fix it in post.

-Jezza

 

Twisted's post makes me wonder--are you asking how to matte explosions on, or how to make your own?





Rick McCallum loves you!

 

I'm not looking to make my own, and I have a couple I'm willing to matte.

Transparency isn't the problem, positioning is. I need to be able to vary the size and the position. I think i may have found a way with Ulead Video Paint, but it's hardly easy.

 

Um... I'm not certain how you do this in Premiere, but what's to stop you from doing this?

(1) Put your regular footage in Video 1
(2) Put your first explosion clip in Video 2
(3) Move and resize that clip (in Final Cut Pro you can do that visually just by dragging its handles in the Canvas)
(4) Key out the extraneous material
(5) Put your second explosion clip in Video 3
(6) Move and resize that clip
(7) etc. etc. etc. ...

I'm sure Premiere has the tools to move and resize a clip -- heck, I know for a fact you can do it with the Motion dialog box if there's no easier way.

If you have further questions you know how to reach me.

And nice new icon btw





Rick McCallum loves you!

 

Whilst not free, AlamDV2 can do exactly what you want, and there are many explosion effects to choose from, as well as other effects...

 

alamDV2 is cool, but the explosion clips only last for liek a fraction of s second. For star wars, we need slo motion, long lasting explosions. anybody know a scource for these?

 

I would be curious to know what program can create fire around an object, person, or walls.

 

Well, pixel:Illusion from coolfun.com is awesome for particles and such. P love that program.

 

Cheesey 2-D explosion huh?

Try compositing this explosion onto your footage.

Note: drag and drop the link.

 

^^^^ How did you do that?

I've been trying to get explosions to look like that in Max for ages and all i get is crap.

a tutorial would be nice

-Jezza

 

I hope you're kidding...

 

I hope you know i'm kidding

 

Great explosion, man. That was one of the funniest things I've seen in the past hour.

 

Glad I could make your... er... hour.