In Part 1 of this exciting tutorial series, we will build a lightning strike with rain effects using built-in After Effects plug-ins and then composite stock footage from Action Essentials 2.

Watch Tutorial

BLOG SHOW: Go behind the scenes to see some on location preparation in our newest Blog Show episode.
Watch Show

Warning: Simulated Violence

Topics Covered:
Upcoming Tutorial with Sam Loya
Behind the Scenes
Sam VS Sam
Will Sam get payback?
Video Copilot Hats!

UPDATE: The tutorial with Sam Loya will actually be online tomorrow so that our site doesn't explode!

Video Copilot Gear: Will be available from our store at the end of NOV.

Sam Loya joins us for an electrifying Halloween blog show and simultaneous tutorial launch. The excitement will begin tomorrow evening Mu ha ha ha.

Not fresh news but After Effects CS5 will be shipping as a 64-bit only application which requires a 64 bit operating system. There are very important advantages that I'll let you read about from the Adobe Product Manager but the main benefits are speed and the ability to utilize more RAM for rendering and previewing. Hopefully this will put an end of "Out of memory errors" for good!

Adobe needed to finally step up and take on this monster task of supporting 64 bit to finally take advantage of modern hardware. As a note, the requirements for running 64 bit are not very steep, but if you do build out your machine, it will be able to take advantage of the extra power. No word on Adobe System requirements yet...

So if you're upgrading to Windows 7, you might want to reach for the 64 bit version, if you're on Mac you are already 64 bit since the last few versions. Please share your productive thoughts and ring-in at the survey on the right.

NOTE: You can count on all Video Copilot products and presets to be compatible when the time comes.

Who doesn't love a good disaster movie? Guilty pleasures :) Here is an interesting behind the scenes look at some of the special effects for the movie 2012.

Check it out