Hi there. I've been fleshing out a Screenplay for a movie short I plan to shoot in the late spring of 04, and as I think about it more, there are a few special effects I would like to include such as a momentary 'Shield Flash' around a person.

So it's more a kind of created Special Effect rather than makeup or fake gunshooting that I'm interested in.

I am just beginning my search into movie special effects, and would appreciate some links to websites about special effects, how to make special effects, or recommendations on programs I could use.

I currently am using Sony Vegas 4.0 +DVD and Cool Edit Pro 2.0. I have an OK computer now, and will upgrade to a 3 GHZ w/1GB memory in February so raw power shouldn't be a problem :)

Hi Arthur,

This might be possible to do using a 2D post-production suite (in fact, it almost definately is), however, having a 3D background I would direct you toward tutorials of that nature:

http://discovery.scifi-art.com/shields/index.html

http://members.lycos.co.uk/stblender/shields.html

3D FX tend to be quite tricky for the inexperienced, plus the actual software packages can cost a bomb, but if you can get in contact with a 3D artist who might be willing to help, or if you pick up one of the cheaper packages (Carrara Studio 3 goes for about $399) and use the above tutorials, you should get a pretty cool result!

Cheers,

Luke

Here's a link with a few tutorials which may or may not apply.

Florida FX (http://www.floridafx.com/Training/Tutorials/Tutorials.html)

http://www.fxhome.com