wanted to see ways to do this effect. starts at 1:19 through 1:22
seems pretty simple. its the close up shot. i have after effects, premiere.

‪Britney Spears - Oops!...I Did It Again‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CduA0TULnow&ob=av2e)

Do you mean the flames?

If so I would usually think of doing something like that in a 3D package like Cinema 4D using its particle systems but that's probably because I have it and have done this kind of thing with it in the past.

I think there are some 2D particle system apps around as well like Particular that might do a credible job

Red Giant - Products - Trapcode Particular 2.1 (http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/trapcode-particular/)

Haven't used it myself (see above!) but take a look at it - or google "2d particle systems"

Masking those vertical portions and layering them on top of the original footage with effects like glow, embossing or whatever. I'm sure there's some kind of blending involved as well.

The other option is to create a transparent layer with effects, using coding - this second method is easier on the system.