muzzle flashes in ae. your feedback please!!!

[markcheng]

hey guys,
i've posted here before asking for feedback and I'm back again for more.

I am creating my own digital muzzle flashes for my sci-fi/horror film, Deployment Strategy. The visual style is supposed to have an exaggerated, comic book feel to it, but not so much that when you watch it, the fakeness leaps out at you. basically want to maintain a suspension of disbelief.

What do you think of this shot? I actually liked it a lot when I was done, but then a friend of mine who understands what I'm trying to do said it was way too fake.

Please let me know what you think!!! Does it need toning down?

http://www.markcheng.com/video/Muzzle_Flash_fx_test.avi

btw, the final version will have ejected shell casings flying out to complete the effect

mc

 

[Tim Kolb]

My thought would be to add some "not flash" and obvious varied brightness in increments in there...I think the shape and all that is fine...and the subtle light throw onto the pallets is nice...there just isn't much crisp bullet staccato...

That's all...just a touch more "spraying lead" and a little less "spraying Lysol" in the rhythm and I think it's pretty nice.

Nice article in the mag BTW.

 

[Goose]

I'm still learning visual FX. But I think it looks great. Once the sound FX r added it will distract you from the light burst making giving your scene the feel you are after. How ever maybe you should make the flash a hint brighter at the base than the tip... just a sugestion... nice effect!

 

[mundizzle]

tight

tight

Looks awesome dude, the guys above are right, a little more details would definately add to it for sure, but so far good start

 

[markcheng]

hey guys, i posted an update in the cafe, but here it is for you if you're looking in this section...

http://www.imustmakethisfilm.com/?q=node/532

it's a link to the vfx reel for 99% of the vfx in my film. you'll see a final version of the stuff I posted earlier in this thread. thanks for feedback.

mc

 

[markcheng]

so here's the final clip from the movie:

http://www.iMustMakeThisFilm.com/video/willieShootsFinal.wmv

the film's been done for a couple of weeks now and I've been applying to festivals...

It's won Best Sci-Fi Short at the Indie Gathering film festival and is nominated for Best Special Effects at the Action on Film Festival.

hope these samples help!!

 

[ppgpilot]

You are the man Mark!!!

Exactly as you described, these are sweet "futuristic" muzzle flashes.
They help the weapons appear to be some kind of plasma-based weapon.

Not that you asked but, I'd use more green or blue to push that concept further.

Either way, awesome work all around man!

I'm new to this forum and now that I've seen your clips, I'll be looking through all of your postings to see what I can learn from your breakdowns, equipment choices and techniques.

 

[Guest]

you should get eh back issues with his articles

you should get eh back issues with his articles

you should get the back issues with his articles in them. they are very excellent.

www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/store


Kim

 

[ppgpilot]

Doing that now then.

Thanks Kim!

 

[markcheng]

as you can see from my updated signature, the official site is now up and you can buy a copy of the DVD if you'd like to see how the film turned out. i'm only shipping in the US at this time (Working on international now

mc