Special FX Tutorials

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Ghosts

Description:

You want an actor to appear transparent as if they are a ghost.

Production:

This uses the same techniques in previous FX. Shoot a background plate without the actor, then again with them in shot (or alternatively against a black or blue background).

Digital Editing:

Put the background plate on track 'A'

put the actor on an 'S' track

Adjust the actors superimpose level to 50%, which should make the actor transaparent, similar to the 'double exposure' technique

If you have filmed against a blue or black screen do the above but add transparency to the actors clip and either use a luminace matte or a chroma-key to select all the blue.

Computerless Editing:

Grab a still of the background plate then adjust the mix level to the halfway point and run your actors shot, similar to the 'double exposure' technique used in early films and the computer technique above.

If you do not have a mixer you will need a large space to work in. On one side have your room with props, etc, on the other side have a black backdrop and your actor (have him well lit) and use a piece of glass at 45 degrees in front of the lens. This will allow the camera to film the props and the actor at the same time, but the light actor against the black backdrop will appear to be transparent.

Misc. Notes:

The use of glass or the 'double exposure' shot goes back to the early days of film. Film makers found that if you exposed the film of your scene (ie, a room) then wound the film back and exposed it again of an actor in front of a black backdrop you could ceate a ghost effect.

Internet links:

Back to Index	Ghosts
	Description: You want an actor to appear transparent as if they are a ghost.
	Production: This uses the same techniques in previous FX. Shoot a background plate without the actor, then again with them in shot (or alternatively against a black or blue background).
	Digital Editing: Put the background plate on track 'A' put the actor on an 'S' track Adjust the actors superimpose level to 50%, which should make the actor transaparent, similar to the 'double exposure' technique If you have filmed against a blue or black screen do the above but add transparency to the actors clip and either use a luminace matte or a chroma-key to select all the blue.
	Computerless Editing: Grab a still of the background plate then adjust the mix level to the halfway point and run your actors shot, similar to the 'double exposure' technique used in early films and the computer technique above. If you do not have a mixer you will need a large space to work in. On one side have your room with props, etc, on the other side have a black backdrop and your actor (have him well lit) and use a piece of glass at 45 degrees in front of the lens. This will allow the camera to film the props and the actor at the same time, but the light actor against the black backdrop will appear to be transparent.
	Misc. Notes: The use of glass or the 'double exposure' shot goes back to the early days of film. Film makers found that if you exposed the film of your scene (ie, a room) then wound the film back and exposed it again of an actor in front of a black backdrop you could ceate a ghost effect.
	Internet links: