Ghost Effect

[cannonskate]

I have been trying to figure out how to make a "spirit" come out of a "dead" persons body. I thought about shooting the dead guy and then shooting the same guy on a green screen and putting him over the body so it looks like hes walking out of it, but I am curious if there is a way to do it without a green screen? I tried to shoot the dead guy, and then shoot him getting up and walking away, and then I just messed with the opacity, but it really didn't look the way I wanted. I just want it to be like two of the same people, one laying down and one coming out of his body.
Alright, well I hope I was understandable, its sort of hard to explain. Thanks!
Any input is appreciated.
I have Final Cut Express, and heres a basic picture to give you an idea of what I am talking about....


THANKS!!!!

 

[ralck]

Here is what I would suggest you try to do:

Film him dying/dead. Have him lie still for the duration that the dead body/spirit will be on screen together. Then, once he's been 'dead' long enough, simply have him get up and walk away (or whatever you planned the spirit to do). In post, then take the two parts of the shot, and put them together so that it shows him lying there and getting up at the same time. You'll have to do a bit of masking to make sure the dead body looks 'real' and the spirit looks see-through, but that seems like the easiest way to do it to me.

 

[cannonskate]

Thanks ralck.
Thats a good idea, I wish I had After Effects to do it. I think the only way with Final Cut is to green screen it, I think that would be easier than making a 50 point matte.