Creating Flickering Fire Effect at DVinfo.net

Dan Measel · September 5th, 2007, 08:01 AM

Does anyone know a good way to create the red flicker of a campfire on actors faces in Vegas? I know how to create a red glow but not sure how to make it flicker, like from a fire.

Edward Troxel · September 5th, 2007, 08:09 AM

I've seen lights that simulate burning torches. They have a fan inside that blows strips of cloth or something upwards causing the light to flicker and look more like fire.

Dan Measel · September 5th, 2007, 09:02 AM

Oh, I meant creating the effect in Vegas. The scene is already shot. Unfortunately, the fire died down a bit between takes and I want to simulate the same flicker in post, for continuity. I would think you could do it in Vegas (I'm using Vegas 6) but I could be wrong.

Emre Safak · September 5th, 2007, 09:47 AM

I need to do this too; let's brainstorm! Have you tried using the Film Effects' Flicker tool?

Greg Boston · September 5th, 2007, 09:59 AM

Just thinking out loud, but what if you could take some actual fire footage, turn it into an alpha mask and composite a red/orange gradient with it.

-gb-

Dan Measel · September 5th, 2007, 12:16 PM

I was thinking along the lines of masking out the actors face and applying a red tint to the mask to blend with the original clip. But wasn't sure how to make it flicker realistically. Possibly adding the Flim Effects would do that. I may need to learn how to use gradients too.

September 5th, 2007, 08:01 AM	#1
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	Creating Flickering Fire Effect Does anyone know a good way to create the red flicker of a campfire on actors faces in Vegas? I know how to create a red glow but not sure how to make it flicker, like from a fire.

September 5th, 2007, 08:09 AM	#2
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	I've seen lights that simulate burning torches. They have a fan inside that blows strips of cloth or something upwards causing the light to flicker and look more like fire. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

September 5th, 2007, 09:02 AM	#3
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	Oh, I meant creating the effect in Vegas. The scene is already shot. Unfortunately, the fire died down a bit between takes and I want to simulate the same flicker in post, for continuity. I would think you could do it in Vegas (I'm using Vegas 6) but I could be wrong.

September 5th, 2007, 09:47 AM	#4
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	I need to do this too; let's brainstorm! Have you tried using the Film Effects' Flicker tool?

September 5th, 2007, 09:59 AM	#5
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Just thinking out loud, but what if you could take some actual fire footage, turn it into an alpha mask and composite a red/orange gradient with it. -gb-

September 5th, 2007, 12:16 PM	#6
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	I was thinking along the lines of masking out the actors face and applying a red tint to the mask to blend with the original clip. But wasn't sure how to make it flicker realistically. Possibly adding the Flim Effects would do that. I may need to learn how to use gradients too.