Demon Cam: Behind the Scenes
August 16th, 2011

Last week we released a promotional film for our new iPhone app: "Demon Cam"!
Watch Demon Cam Film

Much like our Demon Face Warp tutorial, this new app allows you to record a video and transform someone into a Demon of your choice. To help people learn to use the app, we created a film with a supernatural back-story and more importantly, a platform to create some fun visual effects. Before watching the behind the scenes, you should probably watch the short film first. Watch Demon Cam.

Now that the project is released, we are excited to share the behind-the-scenes video, outlining everything that went into creating the effects as well as the app design.

As planned we will be breaking down many of the VFX shots for complete Video Copilot tutorials over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for that!

Watch Demon Cam: Behind the Scenes

Video available on Youtube & Vimeo!

FAQ: Android Version?
We're gonna try!

We are excited to show you this coverage and
Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
14 years ago
130 Comments
9 years ago
adobe after effect graphing
11 years ago
awesome ! thank you for the behind scene !
13 years ago
Hi Andrew, I have seen in your tutorial, on Demon Cam, that you did a separte movie for the opening book on the table.... but... how did you put the book on the table near the orb ? using 3DS MAX ? AE ? or both ?
Is possibile to have some tips ?

Thank a lot and ... congratulatrios for your perfect works

Alberto
fake akramer
13 years ago
andrew and the gang,

you guys are awesome

I laughed so hard watching this, as I always do, but particularly hard in this one, LOL
Swapnil Sarolkar
14 years ago
I like this Demon Cam project! It is too awesome and helps us to learn....recently I'm doing a 3d project with my friends and your site is very helpful to us! Thanx and keep it up!!!
tariq
14 years ago
Hi Andrew I was your new tutorial but one thing was so amazing the beard!!! did you do it in AF or 3D it was very awesome you are the best and i wish to be so like you one day and pleasss answer to my question
thanks
Jacob M
14 years ago
good job!
please, can you make a 3d tuto from the iphone used.
Thanks!
Yun
14 years ago
This app was recommended on mexican t.v. for this halloween!
Willmer
14 years ago
Sam is a great guy, but please replace Sam with the Blonde chick.
Willmer
14 years ago
Could you please send me the Blond's email so I could propose to her. (Joke... Sort of)
Aloïs
14 years ago
Hi there!

This is my first post on this fabulous website and first of all I would like to thank Andrew for his incredible work! I'm a frenchie (don't hit me please trying to being a motion designer. I'm experienced and always curious about new things, recently I discovered the plugin for 3ds max called rayfire and I enjoyed playing around in destroying things like boxes, spheres ans sometimes teapot (sic)... I watched your "behond the scene" and saw that Andrew used rayfire for the crystal ball effects. My big question is how did he do that, I've never get to obtain such nice effect at home... Is that possible to get some clue, or tutorial, on this please?

Thanks for everything Andrew, keep going that way. You're the best!

Bye.
maxwaver
14 years ago
You are amazing andrew, i'm wondering how you manage to get time to update and make all those new stuff through the years !!! YOU ARE AMAZING MAN !!!!!!! GOD bless you for bringing plugin's, tutorials, footages for free !!!! you are the davinci of vfx !!!
Jared
14 years ago
Andrew and Team, are there any upcoming plans for the Demon Cam app on Android phones? - Thanks!
Your friend,
-Jared
14 years ago
Andrew, this is really insightful thanks!
Felipe
14 years ago
hey Andrew, did you designed manually everithing in 3DS Max(The stage,the book,etc)?
sumu
14 years ago
Andrew your great work for demon cam
Gumer08
14 years ago
This motivates me to keep practicing and put my ideas into After Effects, I admire Andrew Kramer excellent tutorials congratulations, wonderful creativity and ingenuity to do ... thanks for the tutorials VIDEOCOPILOT make After Effects is part of my life ...
14 years ago
Tanks!.
Awesome.
Scott
14 years ago
I was about to ask for an Android app lol. The visual effects in this video some of the best I've seen you do yet. Keep it up, and I really want to try out a few of these.
14 years ago
Your love for destruction and mayhem... combined with your genius... and your initials... I can only conclude that you invented the AK-47 Mister Andrew Kramer.
14 years ago
first part of movie is boring, second part is better
sansar
14 years ago
I want the download link for tutorials.
14 years ago
Hope it'll be there soon for android
Jason
14 years ago
As a consumer I want to congratulate you on a great app. It's polished, professional and a lot of fun. And, as my 9 year old son and I quickly learned, its not just for people. We had a blast creating a dog demon, fruit demon, a pillow demon, etc...

Also, as graphic designer I want sincerely thank you for all the incredible knowledge you've generously shared with the After Effects community. As a long-time user of AE (since back when it was made by CoSA!) I am immensely grateful for all I have learned from your site. You've improved my game beyond measure.

Thank you.
14 years ago
looks good!
cant wait for other tutorials to be posted!
Moore Owser
14 years ago
rayfire crystal ball tutorial PLEASEEEE!!
14 years ago
I've bought the App DC. It's realy fantastic. Good Job.
Daryl
14 years ago
To A.K and the Video Copilot team, congrats on the phenominal work, absolutely top notch work. Thank you for your tutorials. I am one of your biggest fans in Papua New Guinea. Look forward to more tutorials. God bless.
Saturn5
14 years ago
Andrew Kramer: We're going to try making an Android version.
Yoda: Do, or do not. There is no try.

Kool vid, by the way. Enjoyed very much.
Alex
14 years ago
Hello! I know, you do a big work, and you don't care about my opinion....BUT this is trash. You know it. Please, do some better.
Danny Drabb
14 years ago
Will the new tutorials you speak about for the Demon Cam be available for purchase via DVD? I have purchased all of your DVD's and it has helped my career.

Cheers,

Danny
Matt
14 years ago
Andrew Kramer! I've already said and I will never stop to repeat it! You're one of the best digital artist and you're always fun when you make video like this and I'd never see so much enthusiasm to make a "Making of" like this! Thanks to you and all the staff of Videocopilot for sharing your experience! And...be careful with that drink! XD
14 years ago
This is absolutely amazing and really and inspiration.
OlympiaLogger
14 years ago
"...when the boxes break, you can use the duct-tape to FIX the boxes..."
OlympiaLogger
14 years ago
LOVE the Boise Broncos T-Shirt !!!!!

Did three years of ROTC up the road at UI Moscow.
Mompremier
14 years ago
U see that? there isnt any very comment, cause this is not a Tutorials, its a behind the scene, so all we need is how to make thing, its about 2 month we, when i said we, that mean the world, we need more tuts, so u re helping us, try to go ahead, we need more 3d tuts in 3ds max, more about the explosion crystal ball, how to disapear people in 3ds max, maybe try to help us plz, do more tuts thanks for all
14 years ago
(SORRY FOR ENGLISH) I learned a lot from Andrew. It is fair to say such a thing. He must go on for himself, you can not expect to be our teacher "free". When he had time to publish a tutorial I'm sure he will. Also see these videos is important. It must support Andrew and his happiness. They have done so much for me, and I feel I can only say "thank you".
Cheekylilbasterd
14 years ago
HOW IT ALL STARTED

Hey!
I need to hire you! I have most of the concept done and implemented. I've decided I need someone that is proficient with both AE and Premieres API. I'm looking for AE7 CS3 and premiere 2 support.
Here is a early example of the "plug-in". This is made using expressions at inside AE.
If you are interested please contact me this week.

Thanks,
Andrew Kramer
http://www.videocopilot.net
andrew(at)videocopilot.net

Now This Is What I Call "A GO GETTER"
RESPECT Andrew,
RESPECT
14 years ago
Man you guys ( video copilot ) your better than 'POPCORN' and i'm not just saying that :0)
Ayoub
14 years ago
ANDREW , JUST TELL ME HOW DO YOU GET THIS IDEA ? ( CAN YOU REALISE ANY IDEA THAT YOU GET IN MIND ON 3D OR ON AE ?
sansar
14 years ago
What happened to the download link for tutorials? My internet is slow so it takes lot time to buffer. So i have to download the tutorials for offline viewing.
anonymous
14 years ago
MORE TUTorialsS!!!!
John
14 years ago
Youre living my dream! Wish i could also take part on your projects
apple boy
14 years ago
you never no how to stop to amaze us AK.. and the truth is that we never want you to stop, bco'z we aspire to be like you..
Tosha
14 years ago
Wow! That was cool!
MC
14 years ago
"You need boxes of duct tape ... and if the boxes break, you can fix them with the duct tape." Hah! In rare form w/this one - nicely done Looking fwd to new tutorials!

Was surprised to hear the hot maiden can actually talk! Also noticed the ladies (by which I mean the 2 women) are no longer the 1st screenshot in the App Store. That made me sad, but probably better to actually highlight the app

Bought the app today just cuz & it's pretty cool! $0.99 is nothing to pay for 100s of hours of free VFX training! Thanks VC!
Absumar
14 years ago
Andrew what i can say about you as you are talented amazing and an inspiration to me and others young artist who wants to grow and understand things, i believe what you have done is a message for all movies directors, producers and artist that this is the future of the films, it is a message to them that no big budget nor smashing things needed what is needed is Time, Determination and a focus to your goal. Dear Andrew you have shown that anything is possible. Thank you very Much.
Andrew
14 years ago
Fantastic work Mr. Kramer. Over the past year or so I've learned a ton from you, and because of that and my growing passion, I've decided to go to school and get in the VFX business myself. Just wanted to say thanks.
14 years ago
Andrew really you are prooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lung Ngo Fei (Ron)
14 years ago
Hey!I love this kind of video so much.It makes me know about how to make some awfully wonderful VFX in Adobe After effect and some 3D software.Make more "Behind the scene" like that if you can.One day,I am going to make a impressive movie like that.
Haggai Okwuchukwu Nwokolo
14 years ago
Always the best Kramer
aamir
14 years ago
can you make new tutorials in earlier than a month ?
Dax
14 years ago
This is amazing, purely amazing. We can't WAIT for the tutorials - especially the 3D Composing.

The 3DSMax / AE Integration will be key for us for sure in our next ventures.

Too often the composition tutorials start as if you know 3DSMax export path / components really well - where Andrew and crew have a gift for teaching tough concepts by picking the correct "starting point" for their tutorials.

Again - we wouldn't be where we are today with our FX knowledge if it wasn't for VC.net

Thanks again and we're sharing the app around everywhere, and will admit that since we're techy nerds we're all about the Android - cause it is linux

- Dax (Creator of The Devil's Minstrels)
Mohammad Almenea
14 years ago
great work... thanks guys
14 years ago
Oh wow... I must say I was REAAALLY hoping the Shattered Orb was done using the upcoming Element 3D. It was one of the coolest effects I've seen in a long time and I thought it'd be awesome if it was doable without using 3DsMax and Rayfire.
jp
14 years ago
awesome effects, narrative, camera moves, but you definetly NEED better actors.
Sliphed
14 years ago
The brunette wasn't bad.
Stephen
14 years ago
Andrew, I'm really digging that you are wearing a BSU shirt.
Please tell me you have ties with Boise.
Overlord
14 years ago
Awesome as usual. I'm wondering how u got the fire-flies to move so organic? Tried Trapcode Particular and didn't even come close. Did u used an expression?
14 years ago
How did you design and publish the app?
14 years ago
This is cool!! i still wish that i had an iphone!!!!
benny
14 years ago
andrew check out Coriolanus Trailer i am pretty sure they used Procedural Crumble at the end of the trailer
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2668665881
mktnet
14 years ago
Of course they did!!
they just modified the point of impact to make it start from center
14 years ago
We have a new dress code at work based off the costumes in your promo. I am pleased to say it is awesome.
14 years ago
Great video - most enjoyable and wets the appetite for the tuts to come. However, I was so hoping that the orb shatter would be our intro to Element. Can Element approximate the same effect?
Looking forward to more. Thanks so much, Andrew.
Pierrax
14 years ago
I hope you will make a tutorial about "exploding the orb", even if it requires lot of computing power and a third-part plug-in as Rayfire !!!!!
selvapersonal
14 years ago
Hope you don't switch over completely to iphone programming! By the way did you use Adobe Flash for the programming or was it native iOS?
AB
14 years ago
You say it's low budget but the look of the final product is sophisticated and refined. Nice work, well done.
Junga
14 years ago
No storyboard Andrew? Great work anyway
binu
14 years ago
Am I allowed to make a short film using ur techniques??
14 years ago
Awesome....great work
Nazmul
14 years ago
""FAQ: Android Version?
We???re gonna try""

like this one...........
cool respond to "Android Kramer" who posted earlier about Android Version,..........

Gr8 job once again.this one is for tutorial..........
Ken Zzzzz
14 years ago
Can't wait to see the tut that come from this...very well thought out and well done...if you ever hit the road sign me up.
14 years ago
Hi Andrew, congratulations for this pretty good video, the VFX is awesome !
I'm interesting for a tutorial for the powers VFX, like the girls fight.

Good Job
Burt
14 years ago
Andrew, why stop at Texas? Another great promo must be looming in the horizon. Kramer's kicking pixels and taking names.
14 years ago
so nice andrew...
Merei
14 years ago
kz8888888@vip.qq.com
???????系吧????????? ???????????你们！???油
Merei
14 years ago
Good !!!Ilove You !
Apo
14 years ago
thank you! this helps me increase my experiences
Mj
14 years ago
What about Blackberry OS?
14 years ago
I love you guysss
David
14 years ago
Great behind the scenes Andrew!
You know the thing that makes you stand out and so likable is your fun and jovial sense of humor and the fact that you don't have a foul mouth at least you don???t on any of your videos that I have seen, that is what makes you head and shoulders above the rest. Beside the fact that you???re very talented, but that???s a given.
Thank you for all you do.
FloVC
14 years ago
this is simply amazing.
Grscfide
14 years ago
Please Andrew....
i'm shooting a short horror movie in these days?
do you have any suggests or advices for me?
pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase
i need some help from you
this my first movie
and i'm so destructed
Carl
14 years ago
Why don't people just type normally... Like pleaaaaaase sounds so, I don't know -> You're better of just asking like a normal person I think
Grungeounioux
14 years ago
it's so cool
ShoeToad
14 years ago
Is the piercing part of the chuck norris transformer? :p
mktnet
14 years ago
A.K you are born to master video production and AE
one day you'll make something miraculous I'm sure
Be aware of Rosewells !!! they could kidnap you at any time!!
mktnet
14 years ago
HP Z800 Workstation + Kessler Krane !!!
Aghhhhhhhhh!!!
I wonder how many Xeons are there and how much RAM
DreamWorks also use HP Z800
AlekB
14 years ago
Wow! That was cool! Thank you for uploading to vimeo!
14 years ago
Vc !!! You Are My Soul
Steely
14 years ago
That was absolutely awesome & very informative. And the main film was the best short film I have ever seen. Well done Andrew and you team. from the UK.
14 years ago
Great work Andrew and the team!
But... a green book in front of a .. green screen...wise! (or not
Personally, knowing that i will replace the glass sphere anyway, i would use a very reflective black ball, just in case i could get back some reflections elements, from the hands of faces..., to put them on my 3d sphere.
I also like very much the cinematography.
14 years ago
i mean... a shiny ball, not black, of course..
i'have click and send my message to early, hoops.
Luke
14 years ago
A black ball would be very difficult to key out; you'd have no way to tell the keyer to ignore the shadows in the hands. You can still pull reflections from a green key easily if the object is reflective, and of course then it's easy to key out.
osama
14 years ago
what about Nokia ?
14 years ago
Hey Andrew. Great video! I was just wondering if you could let me know what renderer you used for the cg set and glass ball smashing? They look amazing.

Thanks in advance
Duncan
14 years ago
Love Andrew, Sam and the VC!
Nazmi Özdil
14 years ago
Andrew,you are the most hilarious god of after effects!
Tomislav
14 years ago
Freaking Awesome!!!
14 years ago
"Honey, I'm just watching some behind the scenes videos. Oh, by the way, we need a $14,000 camera. What do you have in your pocket?"
14 years ago
"And while were at it, how about throwing in a dolly track, camera jib, and a crew to help me move it around? Wait, don't leave! I was only kidding... we can rent!"

I used to have little interest in filming my own footage until I came across Video Copilot content.
Vipin Anis Aind
14 years ago
Awsam work dude..
Andrew You inspire me a loot.
14 years ago
Yay Andrew! Thanks for supporting the Boise State Broncos!
Justin Melson
14 years ago
Does anybody have any idea how long the simulation time was on breaking the orb shot?
EDrisCG
14 years ago
Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks !!!
14 years ago
Thanks Andrew and all the crew! Amazing work and really really usefull stuff!
Manuwarna
14 years ago
As always thanks Andrew for this valuable stuff...
Drac
14 years ago
ANDRZEJ! Tak trzymaj, Polacy s?? z ciebie dumni. Dobr?? robot?? wykonujesz i o to chodzi
Aessio
14 years ago
Poor Andrew... Born to be a director, relegated to make special fx
14 years ago
But to our benefit

Then again, Andrew's quickly proving he can do it all.
sina
14 years ago
just andrewwwwwwwwww !
Andreas Zinonos
14 years ago
Andrew, will you make a tutorial for the destruction of the orb? a 3ds max tut would be really awesome!
Jerry
14 years ago
Cool I finally got to see what you used for the orb.....very creative. Time for me to snatch an orb from the porch and get started.
anon
14 years ago
please google android!!!
Selva Kumar
14 years ago
Oh man ... AWESOME !!!
jamshed
14 years ago
hey Andrew when is element going to be available
sing
14 years ago
Man,I can't open youtube in my country,could you help me?
14 years ago
Vimeo link is there to the bottom right of the video.
Talha Farooq
14 years ago
If youtube is restricted in your country. Use Ultra surf software. It opens any site that is banned or restricted.
VINCE
14 years ago
Any new tutorials this week?
Jeremy Romero
14 years ago
You didn't put the link to the chunk norris product
Mark
14 years ago
That was really insightful - I'll definitely be showing this to some of my friends who I don't think quite grasp all the work required even for a "simple" short such as this.
14 years ago
Just in time for my birthday, thanks!
badhon
14 years ago
great .thnx man
James Dale
14 years ago
Hello, great break down, are you going to be embedding videos with Youtube now, I think it's a good Idea considering you will reach a much wider audience.
14 years ago
Highly educating! Thanks, AK!
14 years ago
Thanks for posting both of the Demon Cam videos to Vimeo. YouTube is block at work, and this stuff is actually work related, so I'm glad I can use an alternative.

Thanks for another great video!
Rune Christiansen
14 years ago
Awesome stuff

Will there be some in-depth tutorials involving the 3D-sets ?

And thank you a thousand times for some great f**king tutorials
suresh
14 years ago
Freaking Awesome
roger
14 years ago
kool i love this thanks Andrew
14 years ago
Very cool. Nothing better than some good ol' training!!
14 years ago
checking it out now!
Damn sure you will rock!!
14 years ago
Spectacular done
Rizzy
14 years ago
Nice Andrew!
Ayb from the Philippines
14 years ago
Yeah!!! I've been waiting for this one...
14 years ago
I've been clicking on the blog every hour today waiting for this!
kn
14 years ago
i watched youtube video first!
14 years ago
Everything I learn from VideoCopilot I can use to improve my skills. Thank you for letting me have a look in your kitchen.
Bart
14 years ago
O My God)))) I'm one of first to see this post))) Good
VINCE
14 years ago
LOL... too late by 2 sec
jamshed
14 years ago
we need the voice over tutorial please.
jamshed
14 years ago
the voice over tutorial please
VINCE
14 years ago
WOW!! this is really amazing! got some ways on how to do those stuff really Bro Andrew...all your work are great !
14 years ago
Yes I defiantly agree. These videos give me so many ideas for future projects, speaking of which I just finished my ae template http://youtu.be/ZmnmIVq6xg0
jamshed
14 years ago
please the voice over
VINCE
14 years ago
GOT HERE FIRST!
Alec Sprinkle
14 years ago
One day I hope to live in a world where this no longer happens.
14 years ago
While you coment I WATCH
14 years ago
Who cares who got here first. The only thing that matters is that the behind the scenes are finally up and they are awesome!

Thanks Andrew!
Olivier-Mauritius
14 years ago
Apparently you kept refreshing the page.. somebody has time on their hands! By the way, Andrew.. its really amazing!
VINCE
14 years ago
@ OLIVER... you might be right, i keep refreshing the page ..teehee! i'm an avid fan of this site and learned big time from it... i was excited to see the new tutorials so thats why i got first hehehehe
die hard creator
14 years ago
Andrew you're SIMPLY THE BEST!
jamshed
14 years ago
hey Andrew very well done once again but if you remember my request for the voice over in the video if you or any one around videocopilot would like to share how to do the same amazing voice over cuz I don't know how to do that
jamshed
14 years ago
hey Andrew what about the element plug-in we want when it's going to be available thanks once again for every tutorial and every thing but i have to still make my request for voice over tutorial.
Olivier-Mauritius
14 years ago
@Vince Don't be mad.. cause I a big fan of VC too.. and its because of VC I've been doing motion graphics..I was just teasing