Lightning in post at DVinfo.net

John Locke · November 17th, 2003, 12:28 PM

Any idea what is the best way to add lightning in post? I'm not just referring to flashes of light during filming...but like the lightning scene in "Shawshank Redemption" just after the escape. It's got a lot of texture. You see the X-Ray type cloud flashes in the distant sky behind him, and then also have the light flashes obviously made during filming.

It's the X-Ray cloud flashes that I'm wanting to add.

Rob Lohman · November 24th, 2003, 07:53 AM

You might be able to paint this into the sky manually with
something like Photoshop (if you have enough patience).
Otherwise an effects application or (3D) CGI application might
do the trick.

I'm not sure if there is an easy solution to this...

Michiel van der Zeeuw · November 26th, 2003, 05:49 AM

After Effect has a pretty good lightning effect, effect --> render -- lightning

John Locke · November 26th, 2003, 06:22 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking for something in a whole different ballpark than just flashes of light. I guess masking actual footage is the best way.

Zac Stein · November 26th, 2003, 06:34 AM

John if i understand correctly what you want,

In after effects, you will have to make masks of the sections u want... then invert them, and use blend to get the effect you want... that will give say the sky an x-ray style look.

Zac

John Locke · November 26th, 2003, 06:43 AM

Thanks, Zack. Yeah, you've got the right idea...just imagine when you see distant scattered lightning, and instead of seeing the bolts themselves so much, you see the clouds flickering from within. That's what I'm looking for.

I was just hoping there was a plug-in out there for FCP to do it, instead of having to shoot some footage, then mask it.

Zac Stein · November 26th, 2003, 07:02 AM

john if you have footage of clouds in your footage then it can be done... masking is easy once you get the hang of it.

Just mask, keyframe the effect to flash on cue with the clouds going slightly x-ray... then feather it to make it blend well.

And you will be done...

edit:

Ohh you want something to creat the clouds themselves and then add the effects... now that could be more trouble than it is worth. You would be best off compositing from a photo or from other footage of clouds...

Zac

November 17th, 2003, 12:28 PM	#1
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Lightning in post Any idea what is the best way to add lightning in post? I'm not just referring to flashes of light during filming...but like the lightning scene in "Shawshank Redemption" just after the escape. It's got a lot of texture. You see the X-Ray type cloud flashes in the distant sky behind him, and then also have the light flashes obviously made during filming. It's the X-Ray cloud flashes that I'm wanting to add. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

November 24th, 2003, 07:53 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	You might be able to paint this into the sky manually with something like Photoshop (if you have enough patience). Otherwise an effects application or (3D) CGI application might do the trick. I'm not sure if there is an easy solution to this... __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 26th, 2003, 06:22 AM	#4
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking for something in a whole different ballpark than just flashes of light. I guess masking actual footage is the best way. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

November 26th, 2003, 06:43 AM	#6
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Thanks, Zack. Yeah, you've got the right idea...just imagine when you see distant scattered lightning, and instead of seeing the bolts themselves so much, you see the clouds flickering from within. That's what I'm looking for. I was just hoping there was a plug-in out there for FCP to do it, instead of having to shoot some footage, then mask it. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

November 26th, 2003, 05:49 AM	#3
Michiel van der Zeeuw Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 27	After Effect has a pretty good lightning effect, effect --> render -- lightning

November 26th, 2003, 06:34 AM	#5
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	John if i understand correctly what you want, In after effects, you will have to make masks of the sections u want... then invert them, and use blend to get the effect you want... that will give say the sky an x-ray style look. Zac

November 26th, 2003, 07:02 AM	#7
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	john if you have footage of clouds in your footage then it can be done... masking is easy once you get the hang of it. Just mask, keyframe the effect to flash on cue with the clouds going slightly x-ray... then feather it to make it blend well. And you will be done... edit: Ohh you want something to creat the clouds themselves and then add the effects... now that could be more trouble than it is worth. You would be best off compositing from a photo or from other footage of clouds... Zac